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Frigidaire Dryer Won't Stop - Causes & Fix

4 min read

Independent. We don't sell parts, so we tell you when not to buy one.

⚡ Quick Answer

A stuck heater relay on the control board keeps the dryer running or heating. Reset power, check venting, then replace the board.

Difficulty Intermediate (DIY)
Est. time 15-60 min
Tools Multimeter , nut driver, screwdrivers

Frigidaire Dryer Won’t Stop — What’s Happening

When a Frigidaire dryer won’t stop running or heating, it usually means a relay on the electronic control board is stuck closed, keeping power to the heater element even after the cycle should end. This symptom often appears alongside code E8C, which signals frequent high-limit thermostat trips due to overheating. The dryer may continue to tumble and heat indefinitely, or it may cycle on and off repeatedly without responding to the timer.

Less often, a door switch problem or a failed high-limit thermostat can prevent the dryer from recognizing when to stop. If the dryer also displays a DR code or won’t start at all, the door switch or latch may be the root cause. In most cases, though, a runaway dryer points to either a clogged exhaust vent causing overheating or a control board relay that has welded itself shut.

Jump to Fix

Most Likely Causes

How to Diagnose and Fix

  1. Unplug the dryer for five to ten minutes to reset the electronic control board, then restore power and run a test cycle to see if the fault clears.
  2. Pull out the lint filter and vacuum the filter housing, then disconnect the exhaust duct from the back of the dryer and check both the duct and the outdoor vent cap for lint buildup or blockage.
  3. Note any error code on the display; E8C indicates frequent high-limit trips due to overheating, while DR points to a door-switch or door-latch issue.
  4. If you suspect a door problem, unplug the dryer, locate the door switch behind the front panel or door strike, and use a multimeter to measure continuity from COM to NO with the door closed; a good switch reads near 0.1 ohms, and an open or OL reading means the switch is bad.
  5. If the model uses a thermistor for temperature sensing, disconnect power, locate the thermistor on the blower housing or heater assembly, and measure its resistance; it should read around 50,000 ohms at room temperature.
  6. Inspect the electronic control board for signs of a stuck relay, burned traces, or visible damage; if the dryer still won’t stop after reset and venting checks, the board is the most likely culprit.
  7. Replace the door switch if it fails continuity testing, clean or repair the exhaust system if airflow is restricted, or install a new electronic control board if the relay is stuck or the fault persists.

Parts You Might Need

PartNotes
Electronic control boardAmazon | Order by your dryer’s full model number; stuck relays are the most common cause of a dryer that won’t stop heating.
Door switchAmazon | Measure continuity with the door closed; replace if you read open or OL instead of near 0.1 ohms.
ThermistorAmazon | Should read approximately 50,000 ohms at room temperature; replace if resistance is far out of range or open.

If your appliance also shows a code on the display, these match this problem:

When to Call a Pro

Call a technician if you are not comfortable working inside the dryer cabinet or testing live control-board voltages. A pro can quickly isolate whether the fault is a stuck relay, a failed sensor, or a wiring issue, and many control boards require careful connector work that is easy to damage during a first-time repair. If the dryer has already tripped your household breaker or shows burn marks on the board, have a qualified technician inspect the unit before restoring power.


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