Dryer Won’t Start? Here’s What to Do

If your dryer won’t start, it’s probably due to a problem with your power supply or one or more of the components in your dryer having become defective.

To find the cause of the problem and fix it, simply follow our step-by-step instructions in this article.

Let’s get started.

Step 1 – Check the Power

The first step if your dryer won’t start is to check the dryer’s power source. To check the power source, you need to:

1. Make sure the power socket isn’t the problem. You can do this by unplugging the dryer from the power socket it’s plugged into and trying another power socket. If the dryer works in the new socket, this means that there is a problem with the power socket, and you’ll need to repair or replace it.
2. If the dryer doesn’t work in another power socket, you need to check the fuse or circuit breaker that powers the dryer in your household fuse box. If the circuit breaker has switched off, switch it on and test if the dryer now works. If not, check the circuit breaker or fuses for continuity with a multimeter. If there’s no continuity, it will need to be repaired.
3. If the power source checks come out fine, you can move on to step 2. If you do repair or replace any of the components, turn your dryer on and check if the problem has been solved. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 2 – Check the Thermal Fuse

The thermal fuse helps protect the dryer from overheating by switching it off when it deems the dryer gets too hot. To check the thermal fuse, you need to:

1. Turn the power off to the dryer.
2. Locate the thermal fuse (check your user manual if necessary).
3. Check the thermal fuse for continuity using a multimeter.
4. If the fuse has continuity, it is working fine, and you can move on to the next step. If it doesn’t have continuity, it needs to be replaced.
5. Before turning your dryer on and checking if replacing the fuse has solved the problem, it’s a good idea to clean out the dryer vents to avoid this problem happening again. If the dryer still doesn’t work, move on to the next step.

Step 3 – Check the Start Switch

The next step is to check the start switch. If this component stops working correctly, your dryer won’t start. Here’s how to check the start switch:

1. Try to turn your dryer on to a cycle.
2. If you can hear a humming sound coming from the dryer but the dryer doesn’t start, this is a good indication the switch is working, so you can move on to the next step.
3. If there is no humming sound when you try to turn the dryer on, you need to test the start switch with a multimeter.
4. If the test shows it has continuity, it’s working fine, and you can move on to the next step. If it doesn’t have continuity, you’ll need to replace the switch.
5. Once replaced, check to see if the dryer now works. If not, move on to the next step.

 Step 4 – Check the Door Switch

The next step is to check the door switch. When you close the dryer door, you should be able to hear a clicking sound, which indicates the door switch is working properly. If your dryer has an electronic door switch, you’ll need to test it with a multimeter. To do that:

1. Turn the power to the dryer off.
2. Locate the door switch. To test it, you will most likely need to remove it from the dryer.
3. Once removed, use a multimeter to test the switch for continuity.
4. If it has continuity, you can reattach the switch to your dryer and move on to the next step. If it doesn’t have continuity, you need to replace the door switch.
5. Once replaced, check to see if your dryer now works properly. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 5 – Check the Drive Motor

The drive motor helps to turn the dryer drum around. When it becomes faulty, your dryer won’t be able to start.

To check the drive motor, you need to:

1. Make sure the power to the dryer is off.
2. To access the drive motor, you’ll need to remove the top and side panels of your dryer (check your manual if you’re not sure).
3. Locate the drive motor, disconnect it, and then test it with a multimeter.
4. If the motor has continuity, it is working fine, and you can reattach it and move on to the next step. If it doesn’t have continuity, it will need to be replaced.
5. Once replaced, check if the dryer now works. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 6 – Check the Drive Belt

The drive belt goes around the dryer drum and helps to turn the drum around during a cycle. If it snaps or becomes faulty, it will stop your dryer from working.

To check the drive belt, you need to:

1. Turn the power off to the dryer if you haven’t already.
2. Remove the top and side panels if you haven’t already.
3. Locate the drive belt (it goes around the dryer drum).
4. Check that the drive belt hasn’t snapped or is not defective in any way. It should also go around the idler pulley correctly too.
5. If it is fine, you can move on to the next step. If it is snapped or defective, it will need to be replaced.
6. Once replaced, turn your dryer on and check if it now starts. If not, move on to the final step.

Step 7 – Replace the Main Control Board

Your final option is to replace the main control board. Replacing the control board is expensive and does not guarantee your dryer will start working again, so you might decide it’s better to just buy a new dryer.