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Your dryer can accurately measure the time left in its drying cycle. So, the remaining time displayed should count consistently until it reaches 0 minutes left. But why would a dryer get stuck for 1 minute without ending the cycle?
When your dryer gets stuck for 1 minute, the first thing to rule out is a shorted-out heating element. That can be very dangerous for your dryer, so it should be the first thing you troubleshoot. Besides that, disable any wrinkle prevention features, and check for a faulty moisture sensor or main control board.
If you’re looking for a detailed troubleshooting guide, you’ve come to the right place. The following sections will explain the likely causes and provide valuable solutions.
How Do You Fix A Dryer That’s Stuck On 1 Minute?
A dryer’s timer doesn’t always count down straight to zero. For instance, an automatic dryer cycle can increase or reduce time depending on how wet the load is.
However, it’s abnormal for a dryer to be stuck on 1 minute left, regardless if it’s on a timed or automatic dry mode.
Here are the reasons that problem happens and how you can fix them:
Shorted Heating Element
About this: One of the most critical components in any dryer is its heating element. Those elements are made from materials with high electrical resistance.
So, when the machine sends electricity through the heating element’s coils, the high resistance will cause them to become red hot.
The heat produced by that heating element is then distributed throughout the dryer with the help of a blower wheel or fan.
What happens: The heating element’s coils are housed inside a metal casing. If any of those coils come into contact with the metal casing, a short circuit will result.
Short circuits are particularly dangerous to those coils because they’ll make the heating element produce heat even after the dryer cycle should have ended.
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So, because the heating element is shorted out and continues to heat, your dryer won’t be able to count down past 1 minute to end the cycle.
How to fix it: The solution to this problem is a total replacement of the heating element. Be sure to disconnect the dryer from the wall socket before troubleshooting or replacing the heating element.
You can access the element by removing the rear panel of your dryer. Then, disconnect and remove the heating element before putting the new one in.
A short circuit in your heating element can lead to fires if you don’t resolve it quickly. So, don’t delay in getting your heating element replaced.
Read: 3 Reason Why Dryer Only Works On Timed Dry – Troubleshooting Guide
Wrinkle Prevention Feature Is Enabled
About this: Many dryers these days have optional features to prevent wrinkles. These features go by different names depending on your dryer brand and model. Those names include ‘Wrinkle Release’, ‘Wrinkle Prevent’, and more.
No matter what you call it, the feature prevents wrinkles by continuing to turn the drum after the drying cycle has ended. The machine tumbles your clothes during a cool-down period where no heat is driven into the drum.
What happens: Unfortunately, some dryer models will be stuck on 1 minute throughout the cool-down period of the wrinkle prevention feature. That will remain the same despite how the cool-down period can last up to 30 minutes on some machines.
How to fix it: You can prevent this problem by disabling your dryer’s wrinkle prevention feature. That way, the timer will count down straight to zero instead of getting stuck on 1 during the cool-down period.
Read: Why Does My Dryer Take Several Cycles To Dry Clothes? – Troubleshooting Guide
Faulty Moisture Sensor
About this: Many dryer models that you’ll find on the market in recent years come with automatic drying cycles. These cycles can make your dryer more efficient as they let the machine lengthen or shorten the cycle depending on how wet your clothes are.
A critical component that makes these automatic cycles possible is the moisture sensor. Your clothes brush up against that sensor as they tumble, allowing the dryer to sense how wet they are at any given time.
So, instead of running for a fixed period, the dryer will customize the duration of each cycle depending on the load you’ve put into the drum.
What happens: A moisture sensor helps the dryer adjust the cycle time depending on how wet your clothing items are. Sadly, a faulty sensor can’t produce an accurate measurement.
In this case, what’s happening is that the moisture sensor can’t detect that your clothes are already thoroughly dried.
As a result, your dryer gets stuck for 1 minute but never ends the cycle because the machine thinks the load needs more drying time.
How to fix it: Sometimes, the only fault in a moisture sensor is that it’s dirty. Even a thin coating of dirt, dust, oil, or fabric softener on the sensor can prevent it from functioning correctly.
So, start by cleaning the moisture sensor and removing any stains on it.
If that doesn’t help, the sensor is broken and needs to be replaced with a new one. Pull the sensor out and disconnect its wires so you can install a new one quickly.
Read: Why Dryer Smells Like Sewage?
Failed Control Board
About this: Your dryer relies on dozens of components, large and small, to function correctly. All of them are controlled by the main control board, a printed circuit board (PCB) with components that continuously send and receive electrical signals.
Those components include transistors, fuses, capacitors, and many more. Each of them corresponds to a different dryer component, whether that’s the heating element or the display.
What happens: The components on the main control board are crucial for your dryer to function correctly. Unfortunately, any damage or wear to any of them could cause the dryer to display erratic or unusual behavior.
One such unusual behavior is when your dryer counts down to 1 minute but won’t end the cycle.
How to fix it: Technically, you can fix the problem by identifying and replacing the affected component on the main control board. But unfortunately, that requires a lot of time, skill, equipment, and replacement parts that are too challenging to purchase separately.
For that reason, the most practical solution to a failed control board is to purchase a new one directly from the manufacturer. Whole boards are much easier to buy and replace than just fixing an individual component on the board.
Read: How To Fix Amana Dryer Squeaking Noise? – Troubleshooting Guide
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Understanding your dryer’s behaviors can sometimes be challenging. So here are a few more questions and answers to help you with that:
Why Does My Dryer Change The Remaining Time?
Your dryer will change the remaining cycle time depending on how much moisture it senses in your load. The machine will add more time to the cycle if the load is still wet. Conversely, it’ll shorten the cycle if it senses that your clothes are already dry.
How Long Is A Normal Dryer Cycle?
A typical dryer cycle lasts about 30 minutes. The duration you need depends on your laundry load. Smaller loads require less time, while larger loads need more time to dry thoroughly.
Read: Why Amana Dryer Not Turning ON Or Not Spinning? – Troubleshooting Guide
What Is The Auto Setting On A Dryer?
The auto setting on your dryer allows the machine to adjust its cycle duration time. It uses a moisture sensor to decide how long the cycle should run based on how wet your clothes are.
What Is A Short Circuit, And Why Is It Harmful?
A short circuit is when an electrical current travels through an unintended path. A short circuit is harmful to a dryer, particularly it’s a heating element, as it’ll cause the machine to continue heating even when it isn’t running.
How Long Should A Heating Element Last In A Dryer?
A heating element will last a decade or more if the dryer is well-maintained. Cleaning your lint trap and dryer vents will help to maximize the heating element’s lifespan by preventing overheating.
