So, your LG dryer timer is jumping minutes and not drying your clothes properly. But repairing a broken dryer can cost you hundreds of dollars! Luckily, you can do some simple things at home to troubleshoot and resolve the issue before committing to costly professional repairs.
When an LG dryer timer jumps minutes, it’s usually because the load is too small, the power to the dryer was interrupted, or the moisture sensor malfunctioned. It can generally be resolved by a hard reset or a moisture sensor replacement. Dryer sheets may be the culprit in moisture sensor problems.
The rest of this article will explore these causes and solutions in-depth. It will also provide detailed instructions and tutorials for repairs.
1. The Load Is Too Small
LG dryers have a moisture sensor at the front of the drum, which tells the appliance how wet your laundry is and how long it needs to dry the load. This sensor works when you use the automatic dry setting. Your laundry may not touch the sensor if the load is too small. This will confuse the dryer and cause the timer to jump. If the load is small enough, the dryer may think it is empty and shut off completely.
Solution
The simplest solution is adding more laundry to the load and seeing if the timer jumps again. However, if you don’t want to add to the load, you can dry it on timed dry or fast dry to avoid the sensor issue entirely. Your dryer does not rely on the sensor for these settings.
2. Power Supply Issue
Another simple reason your dryer timer may jump is a power supply issue. If the power to the dryer cuts out even for a second or two, it will cause the timer to jump or stop the load entirely. This can be caused by faulty wiring or outlets, a damaged cord or plug, outages, and blown circuits.
Solution
Check the power supply. Inspect the dryer’s cord and plug, the outlet, and the circuit breaker for damage, looseness, etc. If you fix the power supply issue, but the dryer does not turn back on and function properly after, you should perform a hard reset.
How To Do a Hard Reset
A hard reset is an excellent tactic to resolve several common LG dryer malfunctions, including a timer or moisture sensor malfunction. Plus, it’s simple and easy!
Unplug the dryer. For safety reasons, never skip this step!
Hold the power button down for 5 seconds, then release it.
Hold the play/pause button for 5 seconds, then release it.
Plug the dryer back in.
The power light should come on, and the dryer should function normally. If your dryer does not turn back on, you will need to call for professional repairs.
You can also check out this youtube video from LG USA Support for a detailed tutorial on how to reset an LG Dryer.
3. The Moisture Sensor Is Malfunctioning
A malfunctioning moisture sensor is a common reason for an LG dryer timer jumping. These sensors can malfunction due to residue build-up from dryer sheets. If you use dryer sheets, chances are your moisture sensor is clogged and not sensing correctly, which will cause the timer to jump.
A malfunctioning moisture sensor can also cause your dryer to take longer or stop before drying your clothes. However, there are several other reasons your dryer may not be drying correctly. For more about that, check out my other article on 6 Reasons for LG Dryer Not Drying or Over Drying.
Solutions
Clean the Moisture Sensor
First, try cleaning the moisture sensor. It’s a thin, curved metallic structure located at the front of the dryer drum on the inside. Unfortunately, it will be impossible to see unless you stick your head inside the dryer. However, you can try using a small hand mirror to locate it.
Once located, wipe the sensor thoroughly with a dry cloth to remove any residue. This should be done frequently, especially if you use dryer sheets. To prevent this residue from building up, you can switch from dryer sheets to something like these Handy Laundry Dryer Balls from Amazon.com, which leave zero residues and last for years.
In addition to cleaning the moisture sensor, doing a hard reset on your dryer may be beneficial to reset the timer functions. See above for those instructions.
Replace the Moisture Sensor
If cleaning the sensor and doing a hard reset don’t work, it may be time to replace the moisture sensor altogether. This repair can be done at home with minimal tools, but it requires a few steps and includes taking the top and front panels of your dryer off. If you are not comfortable dismantling your dryer in this fashion, I recommend calling a professional repair person.
If you are willing and able to do the replacement repair yourself, you will need the new moisture sensor first. You can purchase one online by searching your dryer’s specific model number plus “moisture sensor replacement.” You will also need a Phillips screwdriver and a container for the screws you remove from the dryer.
Once you’re ready to go, follow the instructions in this youtube tutorial on how to replace your own moisture sensor: LG Electric Dryer Moisture Sensor Replacement.
When an LG dryer timer jumps, it’s usually due to the laundry load being too small or an interrupted power supply. Moisture sensor malfunctioning is another common reason for the dryer timer to jump.
If the dryer load is too small, try adding more laundry. You can also switch the setting to timed dry or speed dry. Check the plug, outlet, and circuit breaker for power supply issues, then perform a hard reset. Finally, the moisture sensor may malfunction due to a dryer sheet residue build-up. If cleaning the sensor with a dry cloth and doing a hard reset doesn’t work, consider replacing the sensor.
