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  1. Repair
  2. Samsung
  3. Samsung Dryer
  4. Dryer not starting

Samsung dryer not starting

Common reasons your Samsung dryer is not starting

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

  • 57%

    57% of the time it's the
    Thermal Fuse

  • 18%

    18% of the time it's the
    Door Switch

  • 12%

    12% of the time it's the
    Drum Belt

  • 13%

    13% of the time it's the
    Something else

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    Most common repairs needed to fix a Samsung 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 Samsung 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.

    Samsung Dryer Won’t Start

    When your Samsung dryer won’t start, try resetting the electronic control board using this procedure:

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

    Turn the dryer on and check to see if it will start the cycle. If not, one of these failures could be causing the problem when your Samsung dryer won’t start:

    • Defective electronic control board.
    • Broken drum drive belt.
    • Bad control panel.
    • Tripped thermal cut-off fuse.
    • Failed drive motor.
    • Defective control panel.
    • Wiring failure.

    Schedule dryer repair Service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit you home and fix Samsung dryer that won’t start when you’re unable to find and fix the problem yourself.

    Samsung Dryer Turns On but Won’t Start

    When your Samsung dryer turns on but won’t start, the electronic control board could be frozen up due to a power surge through the electrical lines. Resetting the main electronic control board in your Samsung dryer may free up the control board so the dryer will start. Follow these steps to reset the control board in your Samsung dryer that turns on but won’t start:

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

    The electronic control board will reboot and reset. It may work properly so try to start the dryer.

    If the dryer won’t start after resetting the control board, one of the problems could be preventing the dryer from starting even though it turns on:

    • Defective electronic control board.
    • Failed control panel.
    • Broken door switch.
    • Blown thermal cut-off fuse.
    • Bad drive motor.
    • Broken drive belt.
    • Internal wiring failure.

    Schedule dryer repair service when you’re unable to find and fix the cause of your Samsung dryer that turns on but won’t start.

    Samsung Dryer Won’t Start but has Power

    When your Samsung dryer won’t start but has power, press in firmly on the dryer door to make sure it’s fully shut. If the door won’t close all the way, check these issues.

    • An obstruction such as a garment could be sticking out of the drum that is blocking the door from shutting fully. Clear the obstruction and fully close the dryer door.
    • Examine the door strike and replace that part if the strike is broken or damaged.
    • Unplug the dryer and check inside the door catch for debris. Remove debris from the door switch so the door strike will insert fully into the door catch.

    A locked up electronic control board will prevent the Samsung dryer from starting even though it has power. Reset the electronic control board by unplugging the dryer power cord for 2 minutes and then plugging the power cord back in. Check to see if the dryer will start after resetting the control board.

    Make sure the control lock or child lock feature on the control panel isn’t turned on. If the control lock is turned on, the start button won’t work. Turn off the control lock by following the instructions in the owner’s manual for your Samsung dryer.

    Samsung Dryer Turning On but not Starting

    When your Samsung dryer turns on but is not starting, follow these expert troubleshooting tips:

    • Check the dryer door. Make sure the door is fully shut.
    • Examine the door strike. Replace the door strike if it’s damaged or broken.
    • Unplug the dryer and look for debris or a foreign object stuck in the door catch. Remove anything you find in the door catch.
    • Reset the electronic control board. Unplug the dryer for 2 minutes to reset the control board and then plug the power cord back in to restore power. The control board will reboot and reset. See if the dryer starts after resetting the control board.

    If these troubleshooting tips don’t help you resolve the problem with your Samsung dryer turning on but not starting, schedule dryer repair service and we’ll send a technician to your home to fix the dryer.

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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

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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