Your dryer moisture sensor: MVP or missing in action?

What is a dryer moisture sensor, and what does it do?

Your dryer might not seem high-tech, but it’s smarter than you think, and a lot of that comes down to a small but mighty part: the moisture sensor.

A dryer moisture sensor does exactly what it sounds like. It keeps tabs on how damp your laundry is during a cycle. Think of it like a traffic cop for moisture. If the sensor detects wet clothes, it signals the dryer to keep going. Once everything’s dry, it gives the green light to stop.

Most sensors are located just inside the drum, often along the lint filter housing or mounted to the drum wall. As your clothes tumble past, the sensor checks their moisture levels and communicates with the control board to adjust the dry time on the fly.

Without it, your dryer would run for a preset time whether your clothes needed it or not. This can lead to wasted energy, baked towels, or worse, still-damp jeans. With it, your dryer can fine-tune the cycle to match each load, which means:

• Less over-drying (that shortens fabric life)

• Better energy efficiency

• Dry clothes that aren’t too hot to handle

It’s one of those behind-the-scenes features you don’t think about until it stops working.

How a faulty moisture sensor affects drying performance

When your dryer’s moisture sensor isn’t doing its job, you’ll start to notice. The signs often show up as drying issues that feel frustratingly familiar, and they can trick you into thinking the problem is bigger than it is.

Dryer gets hot but clothes not drying

If your dryer is heating up just fine but the laundry’s still damp at the end of the cycle, a faulty moisture sensor could be the reason.

The sensor may misread the moisture level, cutting the cycle short before your clothes are actually dry. On the flip side, it might signal the dryer to keep running even though the drum’s full of hot, wet air that’s not venting properly. That results in clothes that feel steamy and heavy, but not dry.

Other culprits might include clogged vents or a worn-out heating element, but if the dryer seems to be running as usual and still underperforms, the sensor is worth a close look.

Dryer won’t stop after clothes are dry

Overdrying a load doesn’t just waste energy; it’s tough on fabrics and shortens the life of your clothes. If your dryer seems stuck in an endless cycle even after your clothes feel bone-dry, a dirty or failing moisture sensor could be to blame.

When the sensor doesn’t pick up that your laundry is dry, it doesn’t tell the dryer to stop. That means it keeps tumbling, reheating, and overdrying, all for no good reason. You may even catch the dryer stopping and restarting itself repeatedly.

A quick cleaning might fix it, but if the sensor is damaged or worn out, it may need to be replaced to restore normal drying behavior.

Inconsistent drying results

If one load finishes fine and the next is still damp even though you used the same cycle, that could point to a sensor issue. A failing moisture sensor may behave erratically, especially as it starts to degrade or gets partially blocked by debris.

Sensor cycles perform poorly, timed dry works fine

Sensor cycles depend on the moisture sensor to work properly. If those cycles give poor results but timed drying works just fine, you’re likely looking at a sensor issue, not a heating or airflow problem.

Moisture sensor or airflow-related error codes

On smart dryers, a faulty sensor might trip warning lights or diagnostic error codes. If you see these popping up, especially when paired with drying problems, the sensor may be misreading or not responding at all.

How to test and clean a dryer moisture sensor

Before you start pricing out replacement parts, know this: sometimes, a finicky moisture sensor just needs a good cleaning.

Where to find the sensor

Most dryer moisture sensors are located just inside the drum, mounted on the drum wall or built into the lint filter housing. On many models, they look like two thin metal strips—like small, flat bars—positioned where laundry brushes past them as it tumbles.

If you’re not sure where yours is, check your dryer’s manual or look for labels near the lint trap area.

How to clean the moisture sensor

Over time, dryer sheets, fabric softener, and detergent residue can coat the sensor and interfere with its readings. Luckily, cleaning it is easy:

1. Unplug the dryer (safety first).

2. Locate the moisture sensor inside the drum.

3. Wipe the metal strips with a soft cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol.

4. Let it air dry, then plug the dryer back in and run a test load.

Skip abrasive pads or cleaners. Scratching the sensor can do more harm than good.

How to test the moisture sensor (optional)

If cleaning doesn’t help and you’re comfortable with in-depth troubleshooting, you can use a multimeter to test the sensor for continuity:

1. Unplug the dryer and access the sensor’s wiring from behind the drum panel (you may need to remove a few screws).

2. Disconnect the sensor’s wire harness.

3. Touch your multimeter probes to each sensor terminal.

4. If you don’t get continuity, or the reading fluctuates, the sensor may be faulty and need replacing.

Only try this if you're confident working with electrical components. If not, cleaning is a great first step and often all it takes to fix minor sensor issues.

Still not working right?

If your sensor still seems off after cleaning or testing, it might be time for a replacement. Check out our dryer DIY repair help page for step-by-step troubleshooting guides, part replacement walkthroughs, and expert tips tailored to your model.

Your dryer doesn’t need a tech degree to stay in top shape, just a little know-how and the right steps at the right time.

Keep your dryer running smart

Your dryer’s moisture sensor may be small, but it plays a big role in getting laundry done right. A quick cleaning or simple checkup can often clear up common drying issues, no guesswork or guess cycles required. And if it turns out the sensor needs replacing, we’ve got the repair parts to help you do it right.