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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% of the time it's the Heating Element
24% of the time it's the Electronic Control Board
20% of the time it's the Thermistor
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.
Why does my Samsung dryer continue to run even when turned off?
A stuck relay on the main electronic control board typically causes this problem. In some cases, you may be able to free up that stuck relay by following these steps:
- Unplug the dryer to disconnect electrical power.
- Open the control console and unplug the user interface wire harness to fold the console forward and access the main control board. (see the image in the section below)
- Unplug the wire harnesses connected to the control board.
- Remove the protective plastic cover from the control board.
- Unplug all wire harness connections on the control board.
After unplugging all of the wiring connections from the control board and then plugging them back in, the stuck relay may free up and start working again because you jostle the control board with power disconnected while disconnecting and reconnecting the wire harness connections.
Reassemble the dryer and see if it works properly. If not, you’ll likely need to replace the main electronic control board to fix that stuck relay causing the dryer to run when power is off.
How do I replace the electronic control board in my Samsung dryer?
For a Samsung dryer with a rear console, you’ll need to unplug the dryer and follow the steps in this illustration to access and remove the main electronic control board:
Reverse the disassembly procedure to reassemble the dryer after installing the new control board.
For a Samsung dryer with a front console, follow the steps in this video to replace the main electronic control board in the dryer:
If you’re not completely confident that you can replace the electronic control board on your own, schedule dryer repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to install the new control board for you.
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:
- Unplug the dryer power cord.
- Leave the power cord unplugged for 2 minutes.
- 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:
- Unplug the dryer power cord to completely disconnect electrical power.
- Leave the dryer unplugged for 2 minutes.
- 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:
- Unplug the dryer power cord from the electrical outlet.
- Leave the dryer unplugged for 2 minutes.
- 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.
A Samsung dryer that keeps running can overheat fabrics and exhaust the motor. Defective timers or sensors often trigger infinite tumbling. Switch it off and schedule dryer repair near me. Correct cycle stops preserve your clothes and your energy bills.
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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.