Gas dryer runs and tumbles but stops heating after a few minutes
Gas dryers often start out heating normally before the flame cuts out and the air goes cold while the drum keeps tumbling. This leaves clothes damp or completely wet even after running for a very long time.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- This comes up 53.9× more often in r/appliancerepair than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
Gas dryer runs and tumbles but stops heating after a few minutes
- 1Replacing gas valve coils2 people mentionedDid this help you?
- 2Hiring a professional to clean the dryer ventDid this help you?
- 3Disassembling the front of the unit to clean out accumulated lintDid this help you?
- 4Using the Timed Dry setting to bypass sensor modesDid this help you?
- 5Replacing internal parts such as the thermostat or gas valve coilsDid this help you?
- 6cleaning the duct and checking airflowDid this help you?
- 7running the dryer multiple times to finish drying clothesDid this help you?
- 8testing continuity of elements and sensorsDid this help you?
- 9cleaning the moisture sensor with IPADid this help you?
- 10Replacing or scrubbing the flame sensorDid this help you?
- 11Replacing the high limit thermostat or ignitorDid this help you?
- 12Checking continuity on the heating element and thermostatDid this help you?
- 13Verifying power and 220v connectionsDid this help you?
- 14Replacing thermal fusesDid this help you?
- 15Repairing or replacing the timer switchDid this help you?
- 16Unplugging and plugging the dryer back in to reset the controlsDid this help you?
- 17Having a technician check the outlet, operating temperature, and exhaust ventingDid this help you?
- 18waiting for the unit to cool down and unplugging it temporarilyDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I’ve been having an ongoing issue with my LG DLEX7600KE electric dryer where it will randomly shut off, the entire display/control panel goes completely dead, and it won’t turn back on unless I unplug it and plug it back in.”source ↗
“About 5 minutes later, the dryer chimed and completely shut off. The controls were dead. I unplugged/replugged it, which brought it right back to life”source ↗
“Last night I ran my dryer and noticed that it was running for a really long time. When I went to check my clothes I noticed that they were all still pretty damp.”source ↗
“The last few times I ran my dryer I noticed that my clothes weren't fully dry, but running it again fixed the issue. It's definitely gotten way worse where now they simply stay damp.”source ↗
“The flame stays burning for about 4 minutes, and then it goes out. The loopty thing (what is it called?) will turn on for about ten seconds every minute or so. The drum is spinning, air is blowing outside, but no heat.”source ↗
“At the start of cycle, the burner lights, but goes out after a few seconds.”source ↗
“Sometimes it does this a few times in a row before seemingly giving up and running cold the rest of the cycle.”source ↗
“Bought a kit from Walmart changed the components in the pictures (4) am I missing a wire or did I get a dud ?”source ↗
“I have a gas dryer that will ignite the gas then after 6~ ish mins the flame will go out and not reignite until it cools down and has been unplugged for a little bit.”source ↗
“I have a GE gas dryer (GTDS820GDOWS) and it produces heat for a few minutes and then it goes cold.”source ↗
“The unit appeared to work when the cleaner left but it's not working again.”source ↗
“The dryer stays powered on and the drum roller continues rolling but after opening the door it's cold with no heat.”source ↗