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Hotpoint dryer not starting
Common reasons your Hotpoint dryer is not starting
The most common reasons your Hotpoint dryer is not starting are a faulty thermal fuse, failed door switch or a broken drum belt.
55% of the time it's the Thermal Fuse
21% of the time it's the Door Switch
15% 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 Hotpoint 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.
Why is my Hotpoint dryer not starting?
First, make sure the door is shut tight. If the dryer still doesn't start, there are several possible reasons, from a door switch that's not recognizing that the door is closed to a failure in the main electronic control board.
A broken power cord, failed push-to-start switch or a bad timer can also prevent the dryer from starting. Some dryers use a motor relay to control the drive motor, so a broken motor relay can prevent the dryer from starting.
Check the dryer drive belt
If you hear the motor running but the drum doesn't turn, you likely need to replace the drive belt.
Here’s a video that shows how to replace the drive belt in a common dryer:
If you need to have a service technician replace the drive belt, schedule dryer repair service.
Troubleshooting tips for a Hotpoint dryer not starting
Some dryers use a belt switch to keep the drive motor from running so you might not hear the motor run when the drive belt breaks. A failed drive motor will also prevent the dryer from starting.
In electric dryers, a blown thermal fuse can keep the dryer from starting.
Find expert DIY troubleshooting tips for an electric dryer in this popular YouTube video:
Check the dryer door switch
For safety, always make sure to disconnect the power before you check continuity.
To access the door switch, pull out the lint screen. Remove the screws that secure the lint screen housing to the top panel. Release the clips and lift the top panel to access the door switch. Unplug the door switch from the wire harness.
With the dryer door closed, put your meter leads on the door switch wires that connect to the blue and white wires on the other end of the plug. You should measure near 0 ohms of resistance. If you measure no continuity, then the door switch is broken.
Replace the door switch as shown in this video:
Have a service technician test and replace the dryer door switch if you’re unable to complete these tasks on your own.
Test the dryer thermal fuse
With the dryer unplugged, open the cabinet and access the thermal fuse. Unplug the wires from the thermal fuse. Use the multimeter to measure the resistance between the spades on the thermal fuse.
You should measure near 0 ohms of resistance through the thermal fuse. If you measure no continuity, then replace the thermal fuse.
Here’s a video showing you how:
Here’s something to keep in mind. More often than not, if you blew a thermal fuse, it’s because your exhaust vent is clogged with lint. Before you hook your dryer back up, check your vent and clean it out with a lint brush.
Check the push-to-start switch
Now, if your thermal fuse was okay, the next thing to check is the start switch.
- Reassemble the dryer and then plug it back in.
- Open the door and push the door switch in.
- While holding the door switch in, push the start switch.
You should hear a click as the relay engages. Then release the door switch and you should hear a click as the relay disengages. If you heard the clicks, the start switch is probably okay.
If you didn’t hear the clicks, unplug the dryer and check continuity through the push-to-start switch.
- With the dryer unplugged, remove the console back panel.
- Unplug the wires from the start switch.
- Have someone hold the start switch in and check resistance on the spades for the light blue wires.
You should measure near 0 ohms of resistance with the start button pressed in. If you measure no continuity, then you’ll need to replace the push-to-start switch.
Here’s a video that shows how to replace the push-to-start switch:
If all of the components described above have checked out okay, then the motor windings or internal centrifugal switch could be defective. A wiring failure could also be preventing the dryer from starting. You should get a qualified technician to check this out.
If you have a Hotpoint gas dryer, follow the troubleshooting tips in this video to determine why the dryer won’t start:
What to expect when you experience a Hotpoint 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.
If pressing Start on a Hotpoint dryer yields silence, a broken door switch or tripped fuse might be stopping it. Simple resets don’t usually fix internal electrical faults. Reach out to dryer repair near me. Prompt help prevents piles of soggy clothes.
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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.
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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.