Dryer Keeps Tripping the Breaker: Causes and Safe Steps
If your dryer trips the breaker, do not keep resetting it. A breaker trips to protect the wiring from too much current. Something in the circuit is drawing too much power or leaking power, and it needs to be found.
Safety first. Unplug the dryer before you touch anything. Never open the dryer or the wall outlet while it is plugged in. If you see burn marks, melted plastic or smell burning, stop and call a professional.
Common causes
- A shorted heating element in an electric dryer. This is one of the most common reasons for a trip when the dryer starts to heat.
- A failing motor. A worn motor can draw too much current, especially when it starts.
- A damaged power cord or loose terminal block. Loose wires get hot and can burn the connection.
- Water or damp lint touching live parts inside the dryer.
- A weak or old breaker. Breakers can wear out and trip below their rating.
- A wrong breaker or wire size from a past installation. Check the dryer label for the circuit it needs.
A simple and safe test
- Turn the dryer off at the control and unplug it.
- Switch off its breaker, wait a minute, then switch it back on.
- If the breaker trips straight away with the dryer unplugged, stop here.
- If the breaker stays on, plug the dryer in and run it once for a short time.
- If the breaker trips again, stop. Do not try again.
This test tells you where to look. It does not fix the problem. If the breaker trips with the dryer unplugged, the fault is in the breaker or the wiring, so call an electrician. If it trips only when the dryer runs, the dryer has the fault.
What not to do
- Do not replace the breaker with a bigger one. That removes the protection and can start a fire.
- Do not keep resetting the breaker many times.
- Do not use an extension cord or adapter on a dryer.
When to call
Call a technician if the dryer trips the breaker again after one test, or if you see any burn marks. For electric dryers, see our electric dryer repair page. For wall wiring or breaker problems, a licensed electrician is the right person. Also read our warning signs and fire safety guide.
Our dryer repair in Kenmore, WA service repairs the dryer itself. We do not replace home wiring or breakers.
Other warning signs to watch for
- A burning or hot electrical smell.
- A plug or outlet that feels hot or looks discolored.
- Lights that dim when the dryer starts.
- A dryer that runs but does not heat before the breaker trips.
What a technician checks
- The heating element, for a short to ground.
- The motor and its start parts.
- The power cord and the terminal block, for loose or burnt connections.
- Wiring inside the dryer, for rubbed or damaged insulation.
Why a dryer needs the right circuit
A dryer uses a lot of power, especially when it heats. The circuit and breaker must match the dryer label. If the wiring in the wall is too small or the breaker is wrong, a licensed electrician must fix it. A repair technician fixes the appliance, not the house wiring.
Common questions
Can I just use a bigger breaker?
No. A bigger breaker removes the protection for the wiring and can cause a fire. Never change a breaker size to stop it from tripping.
Why does the breaker trip only when the dryer heats?
This often points to the heating element, which draws the most power and can short. A technician can test it.
Is a tripping breaker dangerous?
The breaker is doing its job, which is to stop too much current. The danger is in ignoring it or forcing it. Stop using the dryer until it is checked.
Can a gas dryer trip a breaker?
It can. A gas dryer still has a motor, a control board and an igniter that use electricity, so a fault in any of them can trip the breaker.
Need help? Dryer Repair Kenmore can check a tripping dryer, gas or electric, and find the cause. Call (425) 555-0100 or use the contact page. We are open 24 hours.