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Once you push the Start button on an Amana dryer, the machine will advance to the end of the cycle and shut itself off automatically. But what happens if the dryer keeps running even when it should have turned off?
An Amana dryer won’t turn off automatically if something prevents the current cycle from advancing to completion or triggers the motor to keep running even when it should stop. Those are caused by restricted airflow, a malfunctioning start switch, a faulty heating element, or a failed moisture sensor.
The sections below will guide you through each possible cause and tell you everything you need to know to fix them quickly.
Why Won’t My Amana Dryer Shut Off Automatically?
Your Amana dryer is supposed to shut off automatically after the current cycle ends. However, anything that prevents that cycle from ending or forces new cycles to begin will cause the dryer not to turn off automatically.
Let’s take a closer look at each of the possible reasons and how you can resolve them quickly:
Restricted Airflow
About this: One of the most critical factors in your Amana dryer functioning correctly is smooth airflow. The airflow begins at the dryer’s blower wheel and moves through the machine until it’s vented out of the appliance and exits your home or building.
That airflow ensures that moisture is removed from your clothes. Simultaneously, the continuous flow allows your dryer’s sensors to accurately measure the air temperature and decide when to turn the heating element on or off.
How it keeps the dryer on Smooth airflow is so critical to a dryer that any clogs or blockages will cause the machine several problems.
For example, excess heat will stay trapped inside the dryer’s internal ducts and cause a chain reaction that prevents it from turning off automatically.
Firstly, the heat buildup will cause the machine’s sensors to inaccurately measure the air temperature. That will lead the dryer to incorrectly cycle the heating element.
As a result, the machine can’t cycle through the drying cycle to its end and, therefore, won’t turn off automatically.
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How to resolve it: You must focus on restoring smooth airflow when this problem happens. Start by cleaning the lint filter thoroughly.
Then, clean the dryer ducts and vents to remove any buildup of lint, dirt, and other debris.
Read: How To Fix Amana Dryer Squeaking Noise? – Troubleshooting Guide
Malfunctioning Start Switch
About this: Many Amana models have a Start button on their front panels. The button is often called the push-to-start (PTS) button, which you use to start the drying cycle after inputting your desired settings.
Pushing the Start button will trigger the start switch that’s directly behind it. That switch will then give the dryer enough power to initiate the new drying cycle.
Once the motor moves fast enough, another switch will take over to keep it energized.
At that point, the start switch is no longer involved in powering the motor.
How it keeps the dryer on The start switch has electrical contacts that close a circuit and allow current to flow through when you activate it with the Start button.
Unfortunately, an electrical fault can cause the start switch to malfunction by fusing its contacts. When that happens, the switch will complete the electrical circuit even when you don’t activate it.
So, when the dryer cycle has ended, and the machine should turn itself off automatically, the malfunctioning start switch will continue to provide power to the dryer motor.
As a result, the motor keeps running, and your Amana dryer doesn’t turn off automatically.
How to resolve it: A malfunctioning start switch can’t be repaired, especially if it has suffered an electrical fault that fuses its contacts. So, your only option is to replace it with a new switch that functions correctly.
Disconnect the existing switch from its wires and unthread the screws holding it in place. Then, install the new switch the same way as the old one.
Read: Why Amana Dryer Not Turning ON Or Not Spinning? – Troubleshooting Guide
Faulty Heating Element
About this: The heat inside an Amana dryer comes from its heating element. It’s a metal box with coils inside that produce heat when electricity flows through them.
The coils are made of materials with high electrical resistance. So, they become red hot when energized with electricity.
How it keeps the dryer on Heating element coils don’t necessarily fail all at once. Instead, only some of the coils inside can stop working, even if others are working perfectly fine.
When that happens, the element can’t provide the dryer with enough heat to dry your clothes on time. That can present you with two different problems.
Firstly, if your dryer is on a timed cycle, the cycle will end, and your clothes will still be wet.
However, suppose you’ve chosen an automatic cycle. In that case, the dryer will continue to sense those wet clothes and add more time to the cycle.
That will stop your dryer from turning off indefinitely as it continues to dry the wet clothes inside.
How to resolve it: Heating elements in Amana dryers are not the kind of parts you can repair or service. So, regardless of how many of its coils might still be working, you’ll have to replace the unit with a new one.
That will restore proper heating to your dryer so it can complete its cycles quickly and shut off automatically.
Read: Why Amana Dryer Won’t Start Just Clicks – Troubleshooting Guide
Failed Moisture Sensor
About this: Amana dryers with automatic cycles rely on a moisture sensor to see how wet your clothes are. Your dryer will lengthen or shorten the automatic drying cycle as needed based on the data it collects from the moisture sensor.
How it keeps the dryer on Moisture sensors can become faulty. When they do, they lose their ability to accurately measure your load’s moisture.
So, the failed moisture sensor will sense that your clothes are still wet even when they’re not. That will trigger the dryer to continue drying indefinitely instead of turning off automatically.
How to resolve it: There are two steps you must take to resolve a moisture sensor problem.
Firstly, clean the sensor with rubbing alcohol. Dirt, oils, and detergent can coat the sensor over time and prevent it from accurately sensing moisture.
If that does not help, you must replace the sensor with a new one. The replacement process is very straightforward, and it’s something you can do without calling a technician.
Read: How To Fix Amana Dryer Not Heating Or Not Drying? – Troubleshooting Guide
Additional Questions and Answers
Here are a few more troubleshooting questions and answers to help you with your Amana dryer:
Can You Turn A Dryer Off Mid-Cycle?
Yes, you can turn your Amana dryer off mid-cycle. However, that’s very dangerous as it’ll stop the cooling fans from removing the heat inside. If you must turn off your dryer mid-cycle, leave the door open so the heat can escape, reducing the fire risk.
How Do I Turn Off A Dryer Manually?
You can turn your Amana dryer off manually by pressing the Cancel button. It’s the same as the Start/Pause button, but you’ll have to hold it down for 3 seconds to trigger the Cancel feature. The dryer might not stop immediately, as it’ll take a few moments to cool down to safer temperatures first.
Read: Why Amana Dryer Getting Hot But Not Drying Clothes – Troubleshooting Guide
Do Amana Dryers Have Fuses?
Yes, Amana dryers have electrical fuses and a thermal fuse inside. These fuses are safety features that will shut off power to the dryer. Electrical fuses are triggered by faults like short circuits, while thermal fuses are triggered when temperatures reach dangerous levels.
Why Does My Dryer Keep Running After The Clothes Are Dry?
Your Amana dryer will keep running when clothes are dry for two reasons. First, on an automatic cycle, that’ll happen if the moisture sensor is faulty. However, a timed cycle will continue running until the timer counts down to zero, regardless of how dry your clothes might be.
What Causes A Dryer Vent To Clog?
Dryer vent clogs are caused by lint, dirt, and dust build-up inside the ducts. When left for extended periods, the clogs trap more impurities and gradually become more severe.
