Most Likely Cause#
An LG dryer that will not stop is usually being told to keep running by a sensor or a control it should be able to shut off. On sensor-dry cycles, the most common cause is the moisture sensor reading the load as perpetually wet, so the dryer never reaches its "dry" endpoint and tumbles on. After that come a control-board relay stuck closed, a timer or logic fault, and — very often mistaken for a fault — the normal Wrinkle Guard feature that tumbles briefly after the cycle ends. A stuck button is the least likely cause.
The key question is whether the dryer runs forever or just tumbles intermittently after the cycle. Continuous running points at the sensor or a stuck relay; short tumbles every few minutes after the load is dry are almost always Wrinkle Guard doing its job.
Is It Actually a Fault?#
LG's Wrinkle Guard (or Wrinkle Care) keeps tumbling the load without heat for a period after the cycle ends, to stop clothes from setting creases. Many "won't stop" calls are simply this feature running as designed — the drum turns for a few seconds every few minutes, with no heat, and then quits on its own. If that matches what you see, turn the feature off in the cycle options and the behavior stops. A dryer that runs continuously, however, is a real fault.
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What Usually Causes It#
The table ranks the causes from most to least common on LG dryers.
| Cause | Why it won't stop | How common | First fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moisture sensor reading wet | The sensor never sees "dry," so sensor-dry never ends | Most common | Clean the sensor bars; check for fabric-softener film |
| Control-board relay stuck | A welded relay keeps the motor powered | Common | Test the control board; replace if the relay is stuck |
| Timer or logic fault | The control logic loses track of the cycle end | Occasional | Reset power; test the control board |
| Wrinkle Guard feature (not a fault) | Normal post-cycle tumbling mistaken for a failure | Occasional | Turn off Wrinkle Guard in the cycle options |
| Start or cycle button stuck | A jammed button re-triggers the cycle | Least common | Inspect and free the control-panel buttons |
Moisture Sensor#
Because sensor-dry relies on it, the moisture sensor is the top suspect on continuous running. The sensor is a pair of metal bars inside the drum that detect conductivity across damp clothes; when they never read "dry," the dryer keeps going. A film from dryer sheets or fabric softener coats the bars and holds a false "wet" reading, so cleaning them with a little rubbing alcohol is a common, free fix. If the bars are clean and the dryer still never ends a sensor cycle, the sensor or its wiring may have failed.
Stuck Relay and Timer#
If the dryer runs on and on regardless of cycle, and even opening the door does not seem to reset it normally, a control-board relay may be welded closed, keeping the motor powered. This is a board-level fault confirmed by testing. A timer or logic error on the control board can produce the same endless-run behavior; a full power reset clears some transient logic faults before you condemn the board.
Safety: if your LG dryer will not stop even when you open the door, unplug it at the wall or switch off its breaker immediately, then have it inspected. A dryer that keeps heating and tumbling with the door open is a fault that should not be left running.
Quick Diagnostic Sequence#
- Decide whether it runs continuously or only tumbles briefly after the cycle.
- If it is short post-cycle tumbles, turn off Wrinkle Guard.
- For continuous running on sensor-dry, clean the moisture sensor bars.
- Reset power to clear a transient logic fault.
- If it still will not stop, test the control board for a stuck relay.
Safety First — Know the Risks
Gas dryers carry carbon monoxide and explosion risk. Even electric dryers involve 240V circuits that can deliver a fatal shock. Our techs are licensed and insured — let them handle the risk.
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Repair or Replace#
Cleaning the moisture sensor or turning off Wrinkle Guard costs nothing, and those resolve most of these complaints. The expensive case is a failed control board with a stuck relay, and on an older LG dryer a confirmed board fault is the point to weigh a repair against replacement. If the dryer keeps running after the simple checks, you can book a diagnostic visit to have the sensor and control board tested.
Senior Appliance Repair Technician · 15 years experience
EPA-certified technician with 15 years of experience specializing in refrigerator and cooling system repairs.
