Free Dryer Repair Guide - My dryer won't start

My dryer is not starting.

Investigate these areas if your dryer is not starting:

Proper Voltage from the House

Your dryer may not be receiving adequate voltage to start. Make sure your dryer is plugged in. Also, check the circuit breaker panel to make sure all the circuit breakers are in the correct positions. Or check to make sure no fuses in the fuse panel are blown. Try plugging something else into the same outlet. If it won't work either, then there is likely something wrong with the power outlet. Any of these could be the reason power is not getting to your dryer. Also, refrain from using an extension cord to plug your dryer in.

Door Switch

If your dryer's door switch is defective, it will not allow your dryer to start. Test your dryer's door switch. If it is defective, replace it.

How to test a door switch.
How to replace a dryer door switch.

Find a door switch for your clothes dryer.

Start Switch

A dryer cannot start if its start switch is defective. Test your dryer's start switch. If it is defective, you will have to replace it for your dryer to start again.

How to test a dryer start switch.
How to replace a dryer start switch.

Find a start switch for your clothes dryer.

Thermal Fuse

A thermal fuse is a heat-sensitive fuse attached to your dryer's exhaust duct (in most models) that is designed to blow if the dryer overheats. A blown fuse would cause your dryer to not heat, or to not work at all. Open up your dryer's cabinet and locate its thermal fuse. Test the component. If it has blown, replace it.

Find a thermal fuse for your clothes dryer.

Thermostat

A defective dryer thermostat could be what is preventing your dryer from starting. Open up your dryer's cabinet. Test each of your dryer's thermostats. Replace any that have become defective.

Find a thermostat for your clothes dryer.

Timer Motor

Your dryer's timer will not function properly if its motor is malfunctioning. Open up your dryer's cabinet and locate its motor. Test the component. If it is not functioning as it should, replace either the motor itself, or the entire timer assembly.

Find a timer for your clothes dryer.

Motor

A burned out motor could be what is keeping your dryer from starting. Test your dryer's motor and if it is defective, replace it. You will have to open your dryer in order to gain access to its motor.

Find a motor for your clothes dryer.

FREE appliance repair advice from the pros!

Timer?
Mon, 12 May 2008 13:46:20 GMT
Post By: noa
dryer runs constantly in all settings, heats and dryies ok but never shts off until door is opened. is this the timer? and if i buy one and it turns out not to be, can i return it

Thermal fuse popped - just replace that or is there more troubleshooting?
Mon, 12 May 2008 11:04:58 GMT
Post By: babaganoosh
I'm helping a friend get his 14 year old KitchenAid gas dryer going again (no hot air). Traced it to the thermal fuse. Bypassed it and the heat comes on. So we'll replace that. But he showed me a...

Dyer starts - never gets hot and shuts off after 5-10 minutes
Mon, 12 May 2008 00:58:03 GMT
Post By: SusanM0650
My dryer starts - but never gets hot and then after about 5-10 minutes of running, it stops turning and all of the lights flash. What is wrong??

Dryer won't start
Sun, 11 May 2008 20:41:01 GMT
Post By: rbruning
Dryer start switch is a momentary switch. When toggled the dryer starts but does not continue to run when released. If the switch is held in the toggled position the dryer operates perfectly. A new...

Dryer
Sun, 11 May 2008 18:26:53 GMT
Post By: kurtkampy
Hi; I have a Maytag Dryer and it has a felt belt or liner that goes around the drum. It has come out and it about 2 inches wide. We have tried to placed it back in but it just falls out again....

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