Dryer moisture sensor bars are two metal strips inside the drum near the lint screen, and you clean them by unplugging the dryer and wiping off the residue with a soft cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol, or whatever cleaner your manual names. It's worth the ten minutes when sensor cycles end with clothes still damp or shut off much sooner than they used to.
Time: about 10 minutes · Difficulty: Easy · You'll need: rubbing alcohol, a soft cloth, a flashlight, your dryer manual
Before you start
- •Unplug the dryer before reaching into the drum.
- •Use only a soft cloth. Steel wool, sandpaper and abrasive pads can scratch the strips and make residue stick faster.
- •Make sure the drum is cool if the dryer just ran.
- •Keep the room ventilated if you use rubbing alcohol, and let it evaporate before you restart.
Steps
Step 1 — Confirm your dryer has sensor bars
Many dryers with automatic or sensor dry cycles use two curved metal strips mounted inside the drum. They're usually just below or beside the lint screen slot, and on some models they're on the rear drum wall. Your manual will show the location.
Step 2 — Look for buildup
Shine a flashlight on the strips. A dull, waxy or cloudy coating usually comes from dryer sheets, fabric softener or detergent residue.
Step 3 — Wipe them down
Dampen the cloth with rubbing alcohol and wipe each strip along its length, then wipe again with a dry part of the cloth. If your manual names a different cleaner, use that instead.
Step 4 — Check the lint screen too
A film-clogged lint screen slows drying in a way that looks similar. See how to deep-clean a dryer lint screen and do both jobs together.
Step 5 — Let it dry
Leave the door open a few minutes so any alcohol evaporates completely.
Step 6 — Run a test load
Plug the dryer back in and dry a normal mixed load on the regular sensor cycle. Check the clothes at the end, especially thick items like jeans and towels.
Didn't fix it?
If clothes are still damp, try a slightly higher dryness setting and avoid overloading the drum, since a packed drum touches the sensors unevenly. Persistent early shutoffs can also come from a restricted vent or a faulty sensor or control board, which a technician can test. For Whirlpool owners, that's our Whirlpool appliance service, and we work on other brands as well.
How often to do this
Wipe the bars every few months, or monthly if you use dryer sheets on most loads. It takes a few minutes and keeps auto-dry cycles accurate.
From Kevin: People often switch to timed dry when auto-dry acts up, and that just hides the problem. Cleaning the sensor bars usually brings the sensor cycle back to normal.
Dryer still finishing early? Call ProFix NJ at (973) 718-9373.