Quick answer
A dryer that starts and then stops after a few minutes is most often overheating because the vent is blocked, so a safety thermostat shuts it down. Clean the lint filter, pull the dryer out, and check that air blows strongly from the outside vent hood. If the vent is clear, the drive motor's thermal overload may be tripping, or a worn door switch is losing contact. Angi puts typical dryer repairs at $100–$430. Call (888) 217-0236 to reach an appliance repair company taking calls in your ZIP; the line is answered 24/7.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Written & reviewed by Marcus ReedIICRC WRT
Reviewed November 4, 2026· Next review May 2027
A dryer that runs for a few minutes and then goes quiet, sometimes restarting after it cools, is usually protecting itself. Dryers have safety thermostats that shut off the heat or the whole machine when it gets too hot, and the most common reason it gets too hot is a vent that cannot move air.
Start With Airflow
- 1Clean the lint filter and vacuum the slot it sits in.
- 2Go outside while the dryer runs and feel the vent hood. You should feel strong, warm air and see the flap open. Weak air means a blockage.
- 3Pull the dryer out and look at the duct behind it. Crushed or kinked foil duct, or a long run with many bends, restricts air. Rigid or semi-rigid metal duct is the safer choice.
- 4Clean the full vent run, or have it cleaned. Lint packed in the duct is both the airflow problem and the fuel in a dryer fire.
If the Vent Is Clear
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Stops when hot, restarts after cooling | Safety thermostat tripping; airflow or a cycling thermostat |
| Drum is very hot when it stops | Overheating; vent or blower wheel clogged with lint |
| Stops, hums, will not restart for a while | Drive motor overload, often from worn bearings |
| Stops when the door is bumped, restarts when pushed | Worn door switch or latch |
| Stops early only with small loads | Sensor cycle ending; use a timed cycle |
| Stops and shows a code | See LG dryer codes or Samsung dryer codes |
Talk to an appliance repair technician
One call reaches an appliance repair company taking calls in your ZIP, answered 24/7.
Do Not Keep Restarting It
Running a dryer that keeps cutting out from heat, especially with a burning smell, risks a lint fire. See dryer smells like burning.
What a Repair Costs
Angi puts typical dryer repairs at $100–$430, about $180. Thermostats and door switches are low-cost parts; a drive motor costs more. See dryer repair.
The Call
Call when the vent is clear and it still shuts off, when the motor hums and will not restart, or when you smell burning. (888) 217-0236 is answered 24/7 and connects you to an appliance repair company taking calls in your ZIP for washers, dryers, ovens, stoves, cooktops and freezers. Follow the short menu, enter your 5-digit ZIP and stay on while it connects; if it does not connect, call once more.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my dryer stop after a few minutes?
Usually a blocked vent makes it overheat until a safety thermostat cuts it off. A drive motor with a failing bearing can trip its own overload, and a worn door switch can lose contact.
Is it safe to keep using a dryer that shuts off?
Not until the cause is found. An overheating dryer with a blocked vent is a fire risk; the U.S. Fire Administration names failure to clean as the leading cause of home dryer fires.
Why does my dryer stop when the load is small?
Some sensor dryers end a cycle early when a small load gives the moisture sensor too little contact. Use a timed cycle for a few items.
Sources
Methodology: How we source and verify data · Report an error
Disclaimer: HearthDry is an independent educational resource. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, or insurance advice. Consult licensed professionals before making decisions about your property or insurance claims.
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