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  1. Repair
  2. Samsung
  3. Samsung Dryer
  4. Dryer won't turn off

Samsung dryer won't turn off

Common reasons your Samsung dryer won't turn off

The most common reasons your Samsung dryer won't turn off are an open heating element, defective electronic control board or a failed thermistor.

  • 30%

    30% of the time it's the
    Heating Element

  • 24%

    24% of the time it's the
    Electronic Control Board

  • 20%

    20% of the time it's the
    Thermistor

  • 26%

    26% of the time it's the
    Something else

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    Most common repairs needed to fix a Samsung dryer

    Heating Element Replacement

    When your dryer runs constantly and won’t turn off, an open heating element could be causing the problem. An open (or broken) heating element won’t heat so the dryer will continue to run indefinitely. If the dryer isn’t heating and the cycle runs for a long time, have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert check the dryer. The technician will check the heating element and replace it if it is open.


    Electronic Control Board Replacement

    When your dryer won’t turn off, a defective control board could be causing the problem. The electronic control board monitors a moisture sensor to detect when clothes are dry. If the dryer continues to run even though clothes are dry, electronic components on the circuit board may have failed. To fix the problem, schedule a Sears Home Services Technician to visit your home and examine the electronic control board. The technician will replace the control board if it’s defective.

    Thermistor Replacement

    A failed thermistor can keep the dryer from turning off. The thermistor is a temperature sensor that sends signals to the electronic control board to help control heat inside the dryer. A failed thermistor won’t detect the temperature properly so the dryer won’t heat like it should and the dryer cycle won’t end after the normal amount of drying time. When loads take an extremely long time to dry, have a Sears Home Services Technician examine the dryer and replace the thermistor if it’s defective.

    What to expect when you experience a Samsung dryer won't turn off issue

    How is the won't turn off problem fixed?

    Correcting most won't turn off problems usually involves replacing the heating element, electronic control board or thermistor. 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 won't turn off

    When the dryer won't turn off 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 won't turn off 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.

    Samsung Dryer Does Not Turn Off

    A Samsung dryer that does not turn off may have a problem with the moisture sensor. A metallic object such as a hair pin, paper clip or small coin can get jammed between the moisture sensor strips. When that happens the moisture sensor will detect wetness in the garments even when the clothes is completely dry so the dryer will keep running.

    Check for an item stuck between the moisture sensor strips and remove the item if you find one. The dryer should stop normally.

    A stuck relay on the electronic control board will also cause a Samsung dryer to run continuously and not turn off. Reset the electronic control board and that component may work properly. To reset the control board, follow these steps:

    1. Unplug the dryer power cord.
    2. Leave the power cord unplugged for 2 minutes.
    3. Plug the dryer back in to restore electrical power.

    Test the dryer to see if the control board works properly. If it does, then problem with your Samsung dryer that does not turn off is fixed.

    Several other problems can cause the dryer to keep running and not turn off. If these troubleshooting tips don’t help you fix the problem on your own, schedule dryer repair service and we’ll send a service technician to your home to repair the dryer.

    What To Do When Your Samsung Dryer Won’t Shut Off

    If your Samsung dryer won’t shut off, open the dryer door to stop the cycle. Unless the door switch is broken, the motor should stop as soon as you open the door.

    If your Samsung dryer won’t shut off when you open the dryer door, you’ll need to replace the door switch. Unplug the dryer to stop the motor.

    If the dryer does shut off when you open the door, then a stuck relay on the electronic control board could have been causing the dryer to run continuously. Reset the electronic control board by following these steps:

    1. Unplug the dryer power cord to completely disconnect electrical power.
    2. Leave the dryer unplugged for 2 minutes.
    3. Plug the dryer power cord back into the electrical outlet to restore power.

    Close the dryer door and see if the dryer restarts. If it does, then you’ll likely need to have a technician replace the electronic control board in the dryer.

    How to Fix a Samsung Dryer that Won’t Turn Off Unless the Door is Open

    When your Samsung dryer won’t turn off unless the door is open, the likely cause of the failure is a stuck relay on the electronic control board. The relay that sends electrical current to the drive motor is controlled by circuit board logic. When the cycle time ends or the moisture sensor detects that clothes are dry, the circuit board should open the motor relay to shut off the motor. If the relay shorted or internal circuit board logic isn’t working, that relay won’t shut off electric current to the drive motor.

    If internal control board logic is causing the failure, resetting the control board may fix the problem. To reset the control board, follow these steps:

    1. Unplug the dryer power cord from the electrical outlet.
    2. Leave the dryer unplugged for 2 minutes.
    3. Plug the power cord back in to restore electrical power to the dryer.

    Shut the dryer door and see if the motor starts running. If it does, resetting the control board didn’t fix the problem and you’ll need to have a service technician replace the electronic control board in the dryer.

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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 Samsung dryer symptoms you may experience