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  1. Repair
  2. Kenmore
  3. Dryer not starting

Kenmore dryer not starting

Common reasons your Kenmore dryer is not starting

The most common reasons your Kenmore dryer is not starting are a faulty thermal fuse, failed door switch or a broken drum belt.

  • 54%

    54% of the time it's the
    Thermal Fuse

  • 22%

    22% of the time it's the
    Door Switch

  • 12%

    12% of the time it's the
    Drum Belt

  • 12%

    12% of the time it's the
    Something else

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    Most common repairs needed to fix a Kenmore dryer

    Thermal Fuse Replacement

    A faulty or blown thermal fuse can keep the dryer from starting. The thermal fuse is a safety device mounted on the blower housing that trips when the dryer overheats. The thermal fuse in most electric dryers prevents the motor from running. In some gas dryers, a blown thermal fuse will also prevent the motor from running. A clogged exhaust vent system often causes the dryer to overheat and the thermal fuse to blow. When the dryer won’t run, have a Sears Home Services Technician visit your home and fix the dryer. The technician will replace the thermal fuse if it’s blown.


    Door Switch Replacement

    If your dryer is not starting, a failed door switch could be causing the problem. The door switch detects when the dryer door is shut. A failed door switch won’t sense whether the door is closed properly. The dryer won’t start even through the door is closed when the door switch is bad. Have a Sears Home Services Technician check your dryer when it won’t start. The technician will replace the door switch if it is defective.

    Drum Belt Replacement

    When your dryer won’t start a cycle, a broken drum belt could be causing the problem. The drum belt wraps around the dryer drum and connects to the drive motor pulley. The drive motor rotates the belt to spin the drum. Over time, the drum belt becomes worn and can break. A switch on the idler pulley prevents the motor from starting when it senses that the drive belt is broken. When the dryer won’t start, have a Sears Home Services Technician check your dryer and replace the drum belt if it’s broken.

    What to expect when you experience a Kenmore dryer not starting issue

    How is the not starting problem fixed?

    Correcting most not starting problems usually involves replacing the thermal fuse, door switch or drum belt. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

    Sears Home Services recommendations for a dryer that is not starting

    When the dryer is not starting it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of dryer failures.

    What to look out for with a dryer not starting diagnosis

    Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dryer problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

    Kenmore 90 Series Dryer Will Not Start

    If your gas Kenmore 90 Series dryer will not start, the most likely causes are a lack of power, a defective door switch or a bad start switch.

    First, look for an electrical power issue. Open the dryer door and check if the light inside the Kenmore 90 Series dryer turns on. If it doesn’t turn on, check the house circuit breaker. Try resetting the breaker to make sure it’s not tripped. If that doesn’t work, check your power cord and make sure the power socket works. To see whether the electric power socket works, plug a small lamp or night light into the outlet. If the lamp or night light doesn’t work, have an electrician fix the power socket.

    Once you’ve confirmed that the dryer is getting power, with the dryer door closed, set a Timed Drying cycle and listen for the faint sound of the timer motor running inside the console. If the timer motor runs and the light comes on when you open the door, you know that the door switch is okay. If you don’t hear the timer motor running, you may have a defective push-to-start switch, bad door switch, broken drive motor or a wiring failure.

    A number of other failures can prevent your gas dryer from running such as a bad timer or failed drive motor. Have a Sears Home Services technician repair your Kenmore Series 90 dryer that will not start.

    If your electric Kenmore Series 90 dryer will not start, a blown thermal fuse is a common cause of that failure. As with the gas version of the Kenmore Series 90 dryer, a bad door switch, failed timer, defective push-to-start switch, bad drive motor or a number of other failures.

    Schedule dryer repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and fix your Kenmore 90 Series dryer that will not start.

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    He was professional and polite. I didn't call back later that afternoon, although he replaced a thermostat the smart dry timer doesn't work as I was still having the same issue. The lady said she would email him and have him return. Never heard from anyone else.


    Terry F, Oklahoma City, OK

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    Glossary Terms

    Natural gas is a fossil fuel used primarily for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. It's a hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting mainly of methane, but it also contains smaller amounts of other hydrocarbons and sometimes sulfur compounds.

    A gas dryer is a laundry appliance that uses natural gas or propane to generate heat to dry clothes.

    A furnace flame sensor is a safety device designed to detect the presence of a flame when the furnace is on, ensuring that gas flows only when it is ignited to prevent dangerous gas leaks.

    A microwave diode is an electrical component that allows current to flow in one direction only, playing a crucial role in converting incoming electrical power into the microwave energy that cooks the food.

    Additional possible Kenmore dryer symptoms you may experience

    • Kenmore dryer won't turn off
    • Kenmore dryer stopped working
    • Kenmore dryer not working
    • Kenmore dryer not turning on
    • Kenmore dryer not spinning
    • Kenmore dryer not heating
    • Kenmore dryer not drying
    • Kenmore dryer noisy
    • Kenmore dryer no power
    • Kenmore dryer no heat
    • Kenmore dryer light not working
    • Kenmore dryer drum roller replacement
    • Kenmore dryer burning smell