Failure to Launch: Why Dryers Won’t Start

It’s always a disruption when you load wet clothes into the dryer only to find that the dryer won’t start. For a temporary solution, you can take the clothes to a nearby laundromat or hang them to dry when the weather’s nice. Sadly, though, that doesn’t solve your problem of a failing dryer.

Knowing what to do when your Whirlpool dryer does not start is really half the battle of finding a long-term solution. Understanding how your dryer works and what the likely culprits are can also help you know how to proceed. For safety reasons, it’s best not to handle most dryer repairs yourself. Dryers have several electrical components that are hazardous to the untrained DIY-er. In the long run, you’ll save time, money and frustration by calling in a professional to handle the job.

Things to Check Before Your Repair Pro Arrives

Once you’ve called your repair company, there are a few things you can do to make the visit go smoothly. Checking a few dryer issues before your repair tech arrives helps tremendously. After all, it’s often the little, obvious things that prevent your dryer from starting.

-First, make sure your dryer is actually plugged into the socket. While dryer electrical plugs are pretty sturdy, they can occasionally shake loose or be nudged out of their sockets.

-If the plug is tight and secure, double-check that your breaker for the laundry room’s power supply hasn’t tripped. A tripped breaker shuts off power to the outlets on that line, preventing the dryer from working. If the breaker has tripped, simply switch it back to the “on” position. Even if the dryer works after you’ve flipped the breaker switch, mention the breaker issue to your repair expert.

-Next, make sure the dryer door is completely closed. If clothing obstructs the door’s latch, the dryer will not turn on.

-Finally, make sure the area around your dryer is clear so your repair tech can easily get to the appliance.

Most Common Cause of A Dryer’s Failure to Start

Of course, there are dozens of common dryer malfunctions. For Whirlpool dryers, for instance, the most commonly reported starting issue is caused by a defective or a broken thermal fuse. In a working dryer, when the dryer overheats, the fuse stops the flow of electricity to the dryer. If you haven’t been on a marathon laundry session, the thermal fuse shouldn’t be a problem unless it’s damaged. If the fuse is somehow incapacitated or broken, it can prevent the machine from turning on altogether.

As a related issue, the thermal fuse may also be tripped by a blocked vent duct. Without a thermal fuse, a dryer with a vent duct that is clogged with debris or lint will overheat. This is a fire hazard because of the concentration of high heat and flammable contents of a dryer. The thermal fuse is one of your dryer’s safety mechanisms for preventing fire. When it senses extreme heat, it shuts the dryer down. For this reason, if your dryer’s thermal fuse is malfunctioning, call in a professional repair tech right away.

Because thermal fuse issues are common in dryers, most qualified dryer repair techs can fix this problem fairly quickly. Euro Appliance techs often handle calls from consumers complaining that their Whirlpool dryer does not start. For that reason, their vans are fully equipped with most quality Whirlpool replacement parts. This ensures quick, efficient repairs so you can get on with your laundry chores.

Other Common Dryer Starting Issues

The thermal fuse is just one of many dryer parts that could prevent your dryer from starting. Other common culprits include:

-A broken door switch or latch: If the door isn’t latched properly, your dryer won’t be able to start. This is usually an easy replacement for your repair tech.

-A broken dryer belt: The belt keeps your dryer turning when the motor is running. If the belt is broken, the motor will run, but the tub won’t tumble.

-A faulty dryer thermostat: When the dryer’s thermostat is bad, it can let heat build up in the dryer. This, in turn, trips the thermal fuse, causing the dryer to stop or fail to start.

-A malfunctioning heating element: Occasionally, the heating element can erroneously come into contact with metal parts of the dryer. This shorts out the system safeguards and causes the heating element to run continuously. This is especially hazardous, so unplug the appliance immediately and call an expert.

-An obstructed or broken fan blade: If the fan blade can’t turn, the dryer’s motor won’t work.

-A damaged motor: Motors that aren’t in proper working condition can ensure that your Whirlpool dryer does not start. Alternatively, it may turn on for a few seconds and then suddenly stop. You may also hear a brief humming or murmuring noise for the short period the motor runs.

Infrequent Dryer Culprits

There are other, less common issues that can prevent your Whirlpool dryer from starting.

-A broken start switch: Whirlpool dryers don’t often have problems with their start switches, but the switches can occasionally be damaged. The start switch is the button you first push to start the dryer. It gives the command to your dryer’s motor to start running. Your motor takes over from there, and your start switch is no longer involved. If your start switch is defective or broken, it can’t send the initial “start” message to your dryer’s motor.

-A faulty timer motor: The timer is connected to your dryer’s motor and heating element. It controls your dryer’s progression through its various heat cycles, depending on the mode you have set. If the timer doesn’t perform properly or if its electrical contacts with the motor are faulty, the dryer may not start. This isn’t a very common problem with Whirlpool dryers.

Whatever the cause of your dryer issues, your trusted dryer repair company can help. Informed consumers can speed the repair process by providing valuable dryer performance information to the repair tech. So, the next time your GE, Samsung or Whirlpool dryer does not start, don’t worry. Take a few notes of your dryer’s condition, prepare the area and call your trusted repair expert.