Amana Dryer Start Button Not Working? How to Fix it?

Pushing the start button on a dryer should be the final step in beginning a new dryer cycle. Once you push it, you can go about your day and let the dryer do its job. Sadly, an unresponsive start button will prevent that from happening, so you’ll want to troubleshoot it quickly.

An unresponsive start button on an Amana dryer likely means you have a fault start switch connected to it behind the control panel. Still, a lack of response doesn’t mean the start button or switch isn’t working. A faulty timer, door switch, or triggered thermal fuse can make it seem like the start button isn’t working.

Take a few quick minutes to read this guide, where you’ll learn more about those likely causes affecting your dryer and what you can do about them.

Why Isn’t The Start Button Working On My Dryer?

When you push the star button on your dryer but nothing happens, here’s what you’ll need to troubleshoot:

Start Switch 

About that part: After choosing a cycle on your Amana dryer, you’ll confirm your selection by pressing the start button. Sometimes, you’ll find that button referred to as the Push-To-Start (PTS) button.

Pushing that button activates the start switch that energizes the motor, so your dryer can begin the cycle.

You only need to press the start button (and, by extension, the start switch) for a brief period to energize the motor. After that brief moment, other components will take over to keep the motor energized.

You don’t have to keep the start switch activated for too long to get the cycle going.

What happened: When your Amana dryer start button is unresponsive, the start switch that it activates is the first component to troubleshoot.

Suppose you’ve been using the Amana dryer for many years. In that case, the start switch is likely worn-out after being used many times throughout its lifespan.

However, a relatively-new start switch can also fail due to damage from electrical faults (e.g. short circuits) or if its connectors have come undone.

What to do: Unfortunately, a failed start switch must be replaced when it no longer functions correctly. Like several other dryer components, the switch cannot be fixed or made to work normally again.

So, access the dryer’s rear panel to disconnect and remove the existing switch. That’ll make it possible for you to install the new start switch in its place.

Read: How To Fix Amana Dryer Squeaking Noise? – Troubleshooting Guide

Faulty Timer

About that part: The timer is a critical component in Amana dryers. It’s responsible for advancing the dryer through all stages of your chosen drying cycle.

A timer consists of several electrical switches that power the dryer’s various components, like its heating element and blower. A small motor rotates the contacts inside the timer to advance through the multiple stages, turning components on and off along the way.

What happened: When you push the start button on your Amana dryer, and nothing happens, the root cause might not be the push-to-start (PTS) button itself. Instead, another likely culprit is the timer that won’t begin your chosen cycle.

A faulty timer will not only stop a drying cycle from advancing, but in this case, it can also stop the cycle from beginning entirely.

What to do: Firstly, you can test the timer for electrical continuity using a multimeter. A continuity test is a quick way to determine if the timer and its motor are working.

Depending on the severity of the problem, you can solve it by replacing the timer motor only. However, there’s also a likelihood that you’ll have to replace the whole timer.

Read: Why Amana Dryer Not Turning ON Or Not Spinning? – Troubleshooting Guide

Door Switch Issue

About that part: Amana dryers have a built-in door switch as a safety feature. Firstly, the switch ensures that the dryer does not begin a cycle until the door is securely shut.

Secondly, the door switch can sense when the door is opened mid-cycle. When that happens, the door switch will trigger the dryer to stop operating immediately for as long as the door remains open.

In both scenarios, the door switch protects you from injury and prevents damage to the machine.

What happened: Another reason your dryer’s start button might seem like it’s not working is an issue with the door switch.

For example, the switch might sense that the door isn’t closed entirely. As a result, nothing will happen when you push the start button.

Alternatively, the door switch might be misaligned, damaged, or defective. So, even though you’ve shut your dryer door correctly, the switch will prevent the start button from beginning a new drying cycle.

The door switch is physically depressed each time you shut the dryer door. Unfortunately, that results in the switch experiencing plenty of wear after countless years of that happening, so it will wear out eventually.

What to do: The solution for this problem will depend on the issue affecting the door switch. Firstly, you have to ensure you’ve shut the door correctly.

Realign the door switch if necessary, but get a new one if you find it damaged or faulty.

Read: Why Amana Dryer Won’t Start Just Clicks – Troubleshooting Guide

Triggered Thermal Fuse

About that part: The door switch isn’t the only safety feature built into your Amana dryer. There’s also an electrical fuse that’s triggered by excessive heat. That fuse is referred to as a thermal fuse.

Your Amana dryer must generate plenty of heat to remove moisture from your laundry. However, too much of that will lead to overheating and can cause worse problems, like house fires.

Thankfully, specific temperatures will trigger the fuse and shut off the dryer’s heat production.

What happened: The last issue to consider when the start button seems not to work is that overheating has triggered the fuse.

As mentioned above, the fuse’s purpose is as a protective feature that prevents your dryer from performing many basic actions.

In simpler terms, a blown thermal fuse will prevent the start button from doing anything when you press it.

What to do: A thermal fuse does its job by destroying itself. So when enough heat triggers the fuse, it’ll destroy itself and stop the electrical circuit from powering the heating element.

The only way to fix the issue is to get a new thermal fuse. Unfortunately, the one you already have is no longer usable and cannot be restored to work again.

The only thing left to do is dispose of that fuse safely.

Read: How To Fix Amana Dryer Not Heating Or Not Drying? – Troubleshooting Guide

Additional Questions and Answers

This final section will show you some commonly asked questions and their answers. You’ll find them helpful when troubleshooting your Amana dryer.

How Do You Test Start Switch On Amana Dryer?

There are two ways to test the start switch on an Amana dryer. The first is to depress it like you normally would when starting a new cycle. But for a more thorough test, you can use a multimeter to ensure that the switch still has electrical continuity.

Read: Why Amana Dryer Getting Hot But Not Drying Clothes – Troubleshooting Guide

Where Is The Start Switch On A Dryer?

The start switch on your Amana dryer is behind the main control panel, positioned directly behind the start button. Depressing the start button will activate the start switch directly behind it.

How Do I Know If My Thermal Fuse Is Blown?

You’ll know the thermal fuse is blown if the dryer can turn on but won’t produce any heat or start a new cycle. You can also remove the dryer’s rear panel to inspect the thermal fuse for signs of damage.

How Do You Fix A Dryer Timer That Won’t Advance?

A dryer timer advances with the help of a built-in motor. So if it doesn’t advance, you can fix it by replacing that motor. In more severe cases, you’ll have to replace the timer entirely with a new one.

How Do You Bypass An Amana Dryer Door Switch?

You must never bypass an Amana dryer door switch. The door switch is there for a crucial reason: it’s a safety feature that stops you (or your children, pets, and loved ones) from getting injured when opening the door mid-cycle.