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Q: I have a huge load of wet clothes that I threw in the dryer, but mydryer won’t start. It worked fine just yesterday, but now nothing happens when I try any of the settings.Why won’t my dryer start? Do I need to call a repair person or buy a new dryer?

A : When adryer is not dryingproperly , it ’s a huge inconvenience . Gone are the days of thread up thousand of clothesline and advert the family line ’s apparel on video display , but this means that when the dryer is n’t working , there are few option . It ’s frustrating to have the dryer acting up after jibe to ensure it ’s decently plugged in and the door is whole unopen , and homeowners may be left wondering , “ What are some ground my drier wo n’t start ? ” According to Ron Shimek , president ofMr . Appliance , “ The most common explanations for a drier not begin are a broken belt or a broken start switch or door switch . ” As with most major appliances , the possible solutions range from a simple fix to a big - duty drier repair that ’s best lead to a licensed technician . Here are some potential reasons why a drier wo n’t start .

The power cord may be disconnected or defective.

The first issuing to check for when an electric dryer wo n’t commence is whether the tycoon corduroy is right plug in , directly connected , or showing sign of serious damage . If the cord is run or discolored near the metallic element prongs , this could show that the corduroy is overheating . Also , a drier need a lot of electrical energy to operate , so it may have trip out the breakers when draw out the necessary power .

householder will want to make indisputable they have the drier stop up into the wall without an denotation electric cord , which can reduce the overall power draw and result in awasher that wo n’t spinor a dryer that wo n’t start . Any melting , fraying , or damage of any kind to the power cord needs immediate attention . A technician from one of thebest appliance fix serviceswill know how to limit a dryer power cord safely .

The gas supply may have been interrupted.

While gas dryers habituate both flatulency and electricity to lead , they rely solely on petrol as a heating component . When a throttle dryer wo n’t start , it may be because the unit of measurement is not get sufficient gas catamenia . This return can often be fix by making adjustments to the unit of measurement ’s air shutter , which is locate behind a board near the bottom of the dryer . When the drier is get mess of gas , the shutter will emit a gamey flame when the drier is sour on . However , if too much air is getting in , the fire will turn yellow at the top and there may be a faint whistle sound . Airflow to the shutter can be adjust by turning a pommel . If the drier isn’t functioning even after this accommodation has been made , or if homeowners are uncomfortable line up the gas themselves , it ’s a beneficial estimate to have an appliance resort person take a flavour at the social unit .

The problem may be due to user error.

specially if a dryer is new ( or new to its current proprietor ) , there is a hypothesis that the dryer not starting could be due to drug user erroneous belief . If the dryer wo n’t start but has power , it ’s a good idea to do some simple troubleshooting . For example , user may not know that it submit several minute of holding down the “ start ” button for their drier to turn on . Another common issue is that the dryer door is n’t latch or has n’t been closed completely . It ’s also possible that tyke - whorl control have been accidentally switched on and will postulate to be turn off for the dryer to function . in conclusion , selecting the wrong cycle per second could induce the dryer to start but pause mid - cycle or run without passion .

There may be a problem with the thermal fuse.

The thermic fuse is a helpful safety feature designed to prevent overheating . When the thermic fusee blows out , the dryer wo n’t start , which is a prophylactic precaution to prevent a flame . This is one of the most common drier problems . If this happens , the fuse will necessitate to be replace before the motorcar can be used again . One sign that the fuse has trigger is if the dryer is still run but only swash cool tune . Other dryers may halt working all .

The thermal fuse on most models can be found near the fumes vent on the back of the drier . Before inspecting the thermal fuse , it ’s a good idea for householder to check that that the dryer is unplugged . The best fashion to incur out for certain if the electrical fuse has failed is to remove it and test it with a multimeter , which a professional can do easily .

Sometimes thermic fuses go out due to clogged dryer vents . Keeping vents and hoses on a regular basis maintain by one of thebest dryer vent-hole cleaning servicescan help keep a dryer from overheating . If it turns out that the dryer vent has been clogged for some time , a technician can test the thermal fuse to see if it ’s gone out . It ’s a plebeian fix , so they ’ll in all likelihood have a replacement part uncommitted .

Dryer Won’t Start

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The dryer may have a burnt-out or broken heating element.

If the drier is run but not heat up , this could be due to a faulty heating system constituent . In some cases , this is due to overheating , which may actuate the thermal fuse to blow . heat elements for galvanic dryers are site at the back of the whole and can be test using a multimeter . If the heating system element is working aright , the multimeter will show that the drier has a reading of about 15 Ohm . If the dryer ’s heat element is the problem , it will in all probability take to be replace . This is a job that ’s normally best left to an appliance repair professional .

The thermostat may be defective.

Not to be bedevil with the thermal electrical fuse , the thermostat is another dryer part that aid regulate temperature . If the machine stick too hot at any point during the cycle , the thermostat is designed to reverse off the heating plant until the car can cool down again . If the thermostat bomb , it can not properly detect the automobile ’s temperature , thus causing the machine to overheat and the caloric fuse to jaunt .

Many dryers have more than one thermostat , and if the machine is either overheating or not heating at all , one of the thermostats may demand to be replace . thermostat are typically located on the back of the dryer near the exhaust fumes blowhole . It might not be obvious to the householder which thermostat is malfunctioning , so it ’s advisable to consult an appliance repair professional if they are unsure .

There may be a failure with the terminal block.

The dryer ’s final block is where the power corduroy connects to the machine ’s intragroup wiring , providing it with electricity . A dryer needs electricity to move , so if the terminal cube go , the machine will not turn on . The terminal block is located on the back of the automatic washer behind an access panel near the power cord . Some visible sign of terminal pulley-block nonstarter are discoloration and corrosion .

It ’s important for homeowner to note that look at with electrical element poses a safety risk . Before getting started , homeowners will want to check that that the machine is unplugged to avoid electrical shock . A problem with the terminal stoppage can also be a fire hazard , so if the homeowner notice melting or exposed wires , it ’s dependable for them to get in touch with a professional to handle the job .

The start switch may be malfunctioning.

Though they ’re design to last for many eld , the button to start the dryer could have worn out . Some drier are activated by push a dial , while others simply sport a small “ start ” push button . In either case , when the button is pushed , the starting electrical switch should send a spark to prompt the dryer ’s motor to start running . If the switch fail , the motor will not get the signaling and the drier will not turn on .

A speedy way of life for homeowners to verify if the scratch switch is the trouble is to try pushing it while listening carefully to the dryer . If there ’s any kind of humming speech sound , which signifies the dryer is prove to start , the starting signal shift is probably not the issue . But if no sounds come from the dryer , homeowners will require to consider experience a professional order and replace the start shift . A pro may even have the exact part in stock , which would help get the homeowner back to drying dress in no time .

A defective drive motor may be the culprit.

One of the more serious problems for why a dryer wo n’t start could be a defective drive motor . The drive motor is the mechanics that rotates the machine ’s barrel . The motor can overheat from lint buildup , or sometimes little items can get deep down and have a closure . If the dryer make water strait but wo n’t start , there is belike an issue with the drive motor . There is usually a slight humming sound coming from the motor as it tries to rotate the shaft and pulley that spin the tympan .

To troubleshoot a faulty motor , homeowner can disconnect the dryer and situate the motor on the back of the motorcar , then remove the belt and inspect for lint or blockages . After putting it back together , householder will want to see if it ’s possible to plow the motor by hand . If the motor is stick or still wo n’t turn on , it may need to be replaced . A qualified technician will screw how to get at it quickly and inspect it for damage or an electric problem . To avoid clogging the drive motor with lint in the future , it ’s a good idea for homeowners to learnhow to clean a dryer ventor to schedule regular engagement with a dryer vent cleaner ( someonewho installs drier ventsmay also be capable to do this job ) . Professionaldryer release cleaning costsabout $ 139 on average .

A damaged motor relay can be causing the problem.

A motor relay is a lesser - experience part present in some dryer that aid the drive motor maneuver as long as it ’s receiving sufficient electricity as determine by the control plank . It ’s plan to assist preclude electrical overloads and potential ensuing fire .

If the motor relay misplace the electric current from the control board , the relay will spark off and stop supplying power to the motor . That means the dryer wo n’t start out or operate . Typically , the relay race is damaged in these cases and will need to be substitute before the motor can welcome the signal to operate again . A good signboard that the motor relay is to blame is if the motor set forth when the homeowner pushes the start clit , but hold on after it is released .

A defective door switch might be the issue.

For safety determination , drier are designed not to start unless the door is firmly locked . Though it may seem like the doorway is closing properly , the electric switch may have suffer their power to sense when the door is locked , or they are n’t shut up at all . Sometimes the simple root when a dryer wo n’t start up is to repair a defective threshold change .

One reading that door switches have flunk is a lack of the common clicking sound that point a locked door . If the dryer has a windowpane , another indication the door transposition need to be replaced is if the light stay on rather than turning off . householder can locate the door switching on the inside of the door — if any prong are bent , they may only need to be straighten back out . If that does not solve the problem , it may be necessary for the householder or a professional person to examine the switch with a multimeter to see if there is a job with the electrical wiring or else .

A damaged drive belt can cause a dryer not to start.

The drive belt is what helps spin the drum to keep clothes moving during the drying process . Over sentence , driving belted ammunition can wear down , fling , undo , or break entirely . Some dryer models can still run with a damage drive belt , though the heating efficiency may suffer . Other dryers have a switch construct in that will hold back the motor from running if a drive belt is damage significantly or broken .

If the inner workings of the dryer are approachable , after disconnect it , the homeowner can take the drier storage locker to stress to inspect the drive belt ammunition themselves for damage . If there is a problem with the belted ammunition , they may comment thedryer squeakingor make a popping sound when the drum is turned . In some causa , the drum will not move around at all . Otherwise , a licenced professional can take a look at the belt and check for any other damaged share at the same time .

Shorted-out components on the main control board may be to blame.

circumference dining table are present in all electronics , from computers to home appliances such as a dryer . Circuit gameboard aid electronics perform tasks and generator king . But as with any electric portion , they can now and then malfunction . Since the control board contain every part of the car , it can be difficult to say for sure whether this is the root cause of the egress . One meter reading is if the trouble are inconsistent , such as the machine at random turn on and off . Ultimately , though , “ To square up if an topic is due to a circumference board rather than a mechanically skillful loser , an appliance repair expert need to be call , ” say Shimek . He tot up that the typical consumer “ will not be capable to do this . ”

Though this problem is rarer than others , it ’s worth calculate into when other common issues do n’t seem to be the movement of a dryer that wo n’t start . If other troubleshooting travail have come up empty , it ’s probably time for the homeowner to call in a accredited technician who will be able to audit whether the main control table has been damaged or not .

The dryer’s timer may be broken.

If a drier has a dial or knob to control the timer setting , the timer controls may have broken down . Usually , it ’s a broken motor switch contact problem . The timer has its own motor and gears that rotate cams , which are design to direct electrical energy to other parts of the dryer . When the motor switch goes out , the drier wo n’t start , retain running , or march on the time . The timekeeper may be break up if the dial does not move after being put , the auto keeps run after time is up , or if the clothes are not as ironic as usual after a cycle .

In some cases , hitting the “ reset ” button on the dryer ’s control panel will desexualize the trouble . If this does n’t wreak , renewal is the only choice for a defective timer . While a wrong drier timekeeper is another rarified problem , it ’s deserving consider if no other obvious parts have malfunctioned .

A professional appliance repair company can pinpoint the reason yourdryer won’t startand recommend repair or replacement.

Some dryer problem are obvious . For representative , if the king electric cord is visibly damage , logic dictate that the machine is not receiving electrical energy . householder who would wish to deliver money on dryer hangout monetary value may even be able to make pocket-sized repair themselves . Shimek say , “ [ It ] depend on how ready to hand the customer is . Some knob are elementary to change , and the lint silver screen is promiscuous to replace . ”

In other cases , it may not be clear how to fix a drier that wo n’t start , or where the matter is located on the simple machine . Homeowners who are diffident ofhow tenacious dryers lastmay even be wondering if it ’s prison term to purchase a renewal . contraption haunt technicians have seen hundreds of broken drier and will be able to get to the root of the problem quickly .

Even if a householder is able-bodied to identify the job , it can be hard and grievous to attempt to repair a drier themselves . Ambitious homeowners may find confident lot with a simple stamping ground , but they pass the risk of infection of further damage the machine , or worse , injuring themselves in the process . It ’s well worth thecost of appliance repairto have the job done decent the first time . When in doubt , hiring a clothes dryer repair service is the sure and quickest way to get the dryer back up and running .

Dryer Won’t Start The Power Cord May be Disconnected

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A home warranty can help cover the cost ofdryer repair service,and sometimes even replacement.

If the rationality for a drier not starting is more than simple user error , a home plate warranty with gizmo coverage can greatly reduce what a householder pays for washer and dryer repairs . Purchasing an yearly insurance policy means a homeowner will pay off grim costs for mending religious service for drier and other appliance as well as for place system such as HVAC and plumbing . When a problem occurs , homeowners can but register a claim with their warranty company and if the claim is approved , the haunt costs will be to the full or partly covered . For representative , American Home Shield ’s reporting for dryersincludes up to $ 2,000 per convenience . homeowner who do n’t already have a home warranty insurance policy may want to explore some of thebest home warrant companies , such asAmerican Home ShieldandAFC Home Club .

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