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GE dryer not starting
Common reasons your GE dryer is not starting
The most common reasons your GE dryer is not starting are a faulty thermal fuse, failed door switch or a broken drum belt.
64% of the time it's the Thermal Fuse
14% of the time it's the Door Switch
13% of the time it's the Drum Belt
9% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a GE 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 GE 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.
When you need professional GE dryer repair to fix a problem, schedule an appointment with Sears Home Services.
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.
GE HE Sensor Dry Dryer Won’t Start
A GE dryer with the HE Sensor Dry feature typically has a Control Lock to prevent children from starting the dryer when that feature is enabled. When your dryer won’t start, check to see if the Control Lock is on. To unlock the dryer controls to the cycle will start, press and hold the eDry button for 3 seconds. A chime will sound to indicate the Control Lock is off and the indicator light above the button will turn off. You can then start the dryer to dry your clothes.
If the dryer won’t start with the Control Lock off, then a problem with the door switch could be the issue when your GE HE Sensor Dry dryer won’t start. Press in firmly on the dryer door and then see if you can start the dryer. If not, then you may need to have a service technician examine and repair the dryer.
Other problems that can prevent a GE dryer with HE Sensor Dry from starting include a blown thermal fuse, an electronic control board failure, a broken drive belt, a faulty drive motor and a wiring failure. It’s best to have a service technician diagnose and repair the problem when your GE HE Sensor Dry dryer won’t start. Our Sears Home Services technicians are highly trained and experienced in dealing will all types of failures in GE dryers with HE Sensor Dry. Schedule dryer repair service today and we’ll send a tech to your home to fix your GE dryer.
How to Fix a GE Dryer that Turns On but Won’t Start
When your GE dryer turns on but won’t start, press in on the dryer door to make sure the door is fully shut. The control must detect that the door is closed before the cycle will start.
Check your control settings. See if the Control Lock feature is turned on. You will typically see a light turned on above the control button that governs the Control Lock feature when lock is enabled. Press and hold the button that controls the lock to shut off the Control Lock light so your can start the dryer.
For a GE dryer with electronic controls, you may be able to start the dryer after resetting the main control board. Unplug the dryer or shut off the house circuit breaker to completely kill power to the dryer for 1 minute. Restore power to the dryer and see if the dryer starts.
When these basic troubleshooting steps don’t help you fix your GE dryer that turns on but won’t start, you’ll likely need to have a service technician examine and repair the dryer. The technician may find a blown thermal fuse, bad electronic control board or timer, defective door switch, broken drum belt, bad drive motor or a wiring failure that is preventing your GE dryer from running even though it turns on. With so many possible problems, having a service technician fix the dryer will ensure that the dryer gets fixed properly and efficiently. Sears Home Services technician are highly trained and experienced at fixing GE dryers. Schedule dryer repair service and we’ll send a tech to you home to get your GE dryer going again in no time.
Pressing Start on a GE dryer but getting silence could mean door-latch or fuse malfunctions. Quick resets might skip over deeper wiring issues. For certain resolution, opt for dryer repair. Timely intervention prevents mountains of undone laundry.
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Daniel provided excellent service and was very quick to perform the repair. I have nothing good to say about the warranty program and the LACK of customer service and the inability to contact a human being to talk.
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Excellent technician Very thorough and detail oriented Would be happy to have him work on appliances again He managed to find our ranch headquarters in the middle of the desert
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Dryer service
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
Frequently Asked Questions
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Glossary Terms
A dryer drum is the main interior component of a clothes dryer where clothes are placed to be dried. It rotates during the drying cycle, allowing heated air to circulate through the clothes.
A dryer filter, commonly known as a lint filter, is a component of a clothes dryer that captures lint and other debris from clothes during the drying process, preventing them from clogging the dryer vent.
A dryer pedestal is a platform that elevates a dryer off the ground, making it easier to load and unload laundry while also providing additional storage space in some models.
A dryer rack is an accessory for clothes dryers that provides a stationary platform to dry items without tumbling, ideal for delicate or bulky items, or shoes that might be damaged by the usual drying cycle.