I’ll never forget the day my dryer refused to start. I had a full load of wet clothes and was already running late. I pressed the start button—nothing. No hum, no click, no sign of life. Just a silent, stubborn machine.
At first, I panicked. Was it dead? Would I have to replace it? But after a little troubleshooting (and a bit of frustration), I got it working again—all without calling a repair guy.
If your dryer won’t start, don’t stress! Most of the time, it’s an easy fix. Follow these step-by-step troubleshooting tips, and let’s get your dryer back up and running!
Step 1: Check the Basics First (You’d Be Surprised!)
I know this sounds obvious, but start with the simple stuff. Sometimes the problem is something so basic that you’ll laugh once you figure it out.
✅ Is the dryer plugged in? – Yep, I’ve seen it happen! Dryers vibrate, and plugs can get loose. Double-check that it’s fully plugged into the wall.
✅ Check the circuit breaker – Dryers use a lot of power, and sometimes a surge will trip the breaker.
🔹 Go to your electrical panel and look for a tripped breaker (it’ll be in the middle position).
🔹 Flip it all the way off and then back on.
✅ Is the door fully closed? – If the door switch isn’t engaged, the dryer won’t start.
🔹 Open and close the door firmly.
🔹 Try holding the door shut while pressing start.
✅ Is the “Start” button working? – Some dryers need you to hold the button for a second. Try pressing and holding for 3-5 seconds.
If everything checks out and it still won’t start, let’s dig a little deeper.
Step 2: Check the Door Switch (It Might Be the Culprit!)
Your dryer won’t start if it thinks the door is open. The little door switch tells the machine whether the door is properly shut. If it’s broken, the dryer won’t even try to run.
How to Test It:
1️⃣ Open the dryer door and find the door switch (usually near the latch).
2️⃣ Press it in with your finger—you should hear a little click.
3️⃣ No click? That’s the problem.
🛠 The Fix:
- Some switches can be cleaned if they’re stuck—try blowing out dust or using a bit of rubbing alcohol.
- If the switch is broken, you’ll need to replace it (don’t worry, it’s cheap and easy to swap out!).
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re in a pinch and need your dryer NOW, some people bypass the switch by taping it down (just as a temporary fix!).
Step 3: Is the Dryer Overheated? Try a Reset!
Most dryers shut off automatically if they overheat. This happened to me once, and I had no idea dryers even did this!
How to Reset Your Dryer:
1️⃣ Unplug the dryer and wait 5 minutes.
2️⃣ Press and hold the “Start” button for 10 seconds.
3️⃣ Plug it back in and try again.
Some dryers have a dedicated reset button on the control panel or back panel—check your manual!
Step 4: Check the Thermal Fuse (The Most Common Fix!)
If your dryer suddenly stopped working with no warning, the thermal fuse might have blown. This little fuse is a safety feature that prevents overheating—but once it blows, the dryer won’t turn on at all.
How to Check the Thermal Fuse:
1️⃣ Unplug the dryer! (Seriously, don’t skip this.)
2️⃣ Remove the back panel or lower front panel.
3️⃣ Find the thermal fuse—it’s a small white part near the blower.
4️⃣ Use a multimeter to test for continuity (if there’s no reading, it’s blown).
🛠 The Fix:
✅ If the fuse is blown, you’ll need to replace it (they’re cheap—around $10).
✅ BUT WAIT! Before replacing it, clean out your dryer vents—a clogged vent is usually what caused it to blow in the first place.
💡 Pro Tip: If your dryer has been taking longer than usual to dry clothes, that’s a sign your vents are clogged. Cleaning them out could prevent this problem from happening again!
Step 5: Check the Start Switch (Does It Feel Loose?)
If you press the Start button and nothing happens (no click, no noise, no movement), the start switch might be bad.
How to Test It:
1️⃣ Unplug the dryer.
2️⃣ Remove the control panel (this is where the start button is located).
3️⃣ Find the start switch and test it with a multimeter.
4️⃣ If there’s no continuity, it’s time for a new switch.
🛠 The Fix:
✅ Swap out the switch with a new one (they usually cost around $15-$25).
✅ Reassemble everything and try again!
💡 Pro Tip: If the Start button feels wobbly or doesn’t spring back, that’s a good sign the switch is faulty.
Step 6: Check the Drive Belt (If the Dryer Hums but Won’t Spin!)
One time, my dryer made a humming noise but wouldn’t spin. Turns out, the drive belt had snapped.
How to Check It:
1️⃣ Open the dryer door and try to spin the drum by hand.
2️⃣ If it spins way too easily, the belt is probably broken.
3️⃣ Unplug the dryer and remove the back or front panel to check the belt.
🛠 The Fix:
✅ If the belt is broken or loose, replace it (it’s an easy fix and costs about $15-$30).
✅ Reassemble everything and see if your dryer comes back to life.
💡 Pro Tip: If the belt keeps breaking, check the drum rollers or idler pulley—they might be worn out.
Once you’ve gone through these steps, plug the dryer back in and hit start.
✅ If it runs smoothly? 🎉 You fixed it!
✅ If it still won’t start? Go back and double-check each step—you might have missed something small.
Still not working?
At this point, it might be an electrical issue (like a bad motor or control board). If your dryer is over 10 years old, it might be time to consider a replacement.
I know how frustrating it is when your dryer refuses to start—especially when you have a pile of wet laundry staring at you. But in most cases, it’s an easy fix.
✔️ Check the basics (plug, breaker, door switch).
✔️ Try resetting it (if it overheated).
✔️ Test the thermal fuse (a common problem).
✔️ Check the start switch and belt if needed.
By following these steps, you can fix your dryer yourself—without waiting for a repairman or spending a fortune. Give it a try—you got this! 💪
