If your clothes dryer won’t turn on, the first thing to check is the circuit breaker, power cord, and door switch. If the dryer still won’t turn on, you may need to inspect your heating element, stirrer, or motor. You may also hear odd noises. In this case, it may be level, so check this first. If none of these options work, read on for more troubleshooting tips and tricks.
Repair a blown thermal fuse
If your clothes dryer has stopped producing heat or won’t start, the problem could be due to a blown thermal fuse. To troubleshoot a blown thermal fuse, start by cleaning the exhaust vent. To clean it, simply insert a duct cleaning brush or use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and debris. You’ll need a multimeter to measure resistance, so make sure the dial is set at its lowest setting. If the display does not change, the fuse has blown.
If your dryer is plugged into an electrical outlet, you may need to remove the back panel to access the fuse. Thermal fuses can vary in size and shape. The smallest ones are about two inches long and are made of plastic or metal. To replace them, simply follow the instructions listed in the owner’s manual or search online. If you cannot find your manual, you can try bypassing the thermal fuse.
Repair a faulty stirrer
There are two basic methods to repair a faulty stirrer in tumbling machines. Wire stirrers and pTO stirrers can both cause problems. To identify if your stirrer is faulty, hold the machine so the motor housing is facing down. You should be able to easily remove the stirrer and inspect the shaft. If you cannot see a hole, there could be a damaged motor or wire.
Check for worn rollers. The rollers keep the drum in place while it turns. If these rollers are worn, the drum might spin freely or become stuck. Open the door and check for a gap between the drum and the wall. If there is a gap between the drum and wall, the rollers are worn. If they are broken, you can replace them with a new one.
Repair a faulty heating element
The first step to repair a faulty heating element in a clothing dryer is to isolate the device from any metal parts of the dryer. A faulty heating element can lead to the dryer not producing any hot air. To test the heating element, you can use an ohmmeter. If the resistance reading is infinite, you should replace the thermostat. This will cost around $50. Alternatively, you can replace the thermal fuse.
To repair a faulty heating element, first check that the connections are tight. If the element is loose, you may have to disassemble it and replace it with a new one. The heating element is located near the thermostat. You may also need to test the thermistor and the thermostat leads. If you can see the resistance, you have a problem. Replace the element and retest. To test if the heating element is working properly, run a test cycle. Make sure the element is red when heating.
Repair a faulty motor
If the humming sound you hear is coming from inside your clothes dryer, it may be caused by a faulty motor. To test whether the motor is faulty, you should hold the start button for a long period of time. If the noise still persists, you may need to replace the motor. If the humming noise is not cured after lubrication, you will need to call a professional.
If you are unable to locate the faulty motor, try examining the thermostat. The temperature setting may be too hot. The thermostat may also be faulty. Often, it will be hard to determine whether the problem is with the thermostat. If you are not sure what the problem is, you can also try troubleshooting the motor. A faulty thermostat may also cause the dryer to shut down without doing its job properly.
Repair a faulty door switch
You’ll need a jumper wire to diagnose the problem. You can also get a replacement door switch by using the model number and part number from the dryer. The switch is usually located in a corner and is attached to the wiring harness with clips. To remove the door switch, unsnap the clips and locate the switch. Carefully remove the switch from the door. It will likely have a damaged plastic case or stuck switch. You may hear a faint clicking noise, so you need to replace the switch.
First, you must disconnect the control panel from the dryer. The control panel relies on the door switch to turn the machine on and off. If the door is open, the door switch won’t be able to tell that the door is closed. Hence, the door will not turn on. Use a multimeter to test the door switch. Then, test the switch’s continuity. If there’s continuity, the door switch is working properly. Otherwise, it’s broken and needs to be replaced.
Repair a faulty motor relay
If you find black marks on your clothes dryer’s motor relay, the problem is most likely the motor relay. To replace it, you will need a soldering iron and basic tools. Unplug the dryer and locate the black box with the small black switch on top. If you are not sure how to replace it, refer to your dryer’s manual. After locating the switch, you should check whether there is any debris under it.
Next, you will need to check the control board for a shorted-out or damaged relay switch. This is located on the heater box or motor. Using a phillips screwdriver, you should remove the control panel. Then, use a screwdriver to remove the panel and then turn it up. Identify the relay switch on the control board on the lower-right corner.
