Choose Product
Identify Problem
03
Find Solutions

Maytag Dryer starts then stops

If your Maytag dryer starts then stops — it powers up and runs briefly then stops or the drum stops after a few seconds — the usual suspects are, in order, the moisture sensor, a bad motor relay, a failed control board, the main control board, the user control and display board, and finally the timer. Start by checking the door switch and the touchpad or start/cancel button, since intermittent contacts there will make the dryer stop. A faulty moisture sensor can falsely tell the machine the load is dry, though that is less common. Motor relays and timers can be checked with a multimeter and the wiring diagram, while control boards are harder to test; inspect boards for burned components or shorts and replace a suspected user control board if the start button works only sometimes. If you need parts, enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement part for your dryer and get step-by-step guidance for the repair.

01 - Maytag Dryer Moisture Sensor

The moisture sensor monitors the clothing’s moisture level and sends a signal to the control board when the clothes are dry. If the moisture sensor is malfunctioning, it could inaccurately report that the clothing have sufficient dried, causing the drum to stop spinning. However, this is rarely the case. Before replacing the moisture sensor check all the more commonly defective parts. If you have determined that all of the other components are working properly, replace the moisture sensor.
Enter model number to search for the required part specific to your product
Top Solution

02 - Maytag Dryer Motor Relay

If both the door switch and dryer touchpad are working appropriately, it's possible the motor relay is defective. However, this is not that common of a problem. Before replacing the motor relay, check all the more commonly defective parts. If you determine that all of the other components are working properly, you can test the motor relay by using a multimeter and consulting the wiring diagram to help determine if it is malfunctioning.
Top Solution

03 - Maytag Dryer Control Board

If both the door switch and dryer touchpad are working appropriately, it's possible the control board is defective. However, this is not that common of a problem. Before replacing the board, check all of the more commonly defective parts. If you have determined that all of the other components are working properly, replace the control board. (The control board cannot be easily tested, but you can try to inspect it for signs of burning or a shorted-out component.)
Top Solution

04 - Maytag Dryer Main Control Board

If both the door switch and dryer touchpad are working appropriately, it's possible the main control board is defective. However, this is not that common of a problem. Before replacing the board, check all of the more commonly defective parts. If you have determined that all of the other components are working properly, replace the main control board. (The control board cannot be easily tested, but you can try to inspect it for signs of burning or a shorted-out component.)
Top Solution

05 - Maytag Dryer User Control and Display Board

If the dryer's start/cancel button is only working intermittently, it's likely the user control and display board is malfunctioning and causing the dryer to stop running. A new board will need to be installed to resolve the problem.
Highly Likely

06 - Maytag Dryer Timer

If both the door switch and dryer touchpad are working appropriately, it's possible the timer is defective. However, this is not that common of a problem. Before replacing the timer, check all the more commonly defective parts. If you determine that all of the other components are working properly, test the timer by using a multimeter and consulting the wiring diagram. If the timer is defective, replace it.
Highly Likely

Frequently Asked Questions

My dryer starts then stops after a few seconds. What should I check first?
Can a bad moisture sensor make my dryer stop before clothes are dry?
How do I test the motor relay or timer when the dryer keeps stopping?
The start/cancel button works only sometimes. Is that the user control board or the main control board?
How do I enter my model number or part number on RepairClinic.com to find the right replacement part?