It can be frustrating when your laundry cycle finishes, but your Samsung dryer cooling light stays on indefinitely. While the cooling phase is a normal part of the drying process designed to prevent wrinkles and lower the drum’s temperature, a light that won’t turn off usually signals an underlying hardware or airflow issue. From simple lint clogs to faulty sensors, this guide covers the five most common reasons your dryer is stuck in cooling mode and the step-by-step solutions to get your appliance back to peak performance.
Quick Answer: A Samsung dryer cooling light stays on most commonly due to a clogged dryer vent line that prevents moist air from escaping. Other frequent causes include a faulty thermistor (temperature sensor) that incorrectly signals the unit is too hot, corroded moisture sensor bars that can’t detect dry clothes, or a burned-out heating element. To fix this, first perform a “hard reset” by unplugging the dryer for 60 seconds; if the light persists, inspect the exhaust vent and sensors for debris or damage.
What Does the Samsung Dryer Cooling Light Mean?
The Cooling light on your Samsung dryer means the appliance is hot and actively working to reduce that temperature. That process won’t take too long, so if the light stays on, it’s likely because of one of the reasons below. Here are quick fix tips:
- Quick Fix: Check for a clogged lint filter or external vent.
- Component to Test: Use a
multimeter to check the thermistor. - Reset: Power cycle the unit by unplugging it for 60 seconds.
5 Reasons Your Samsung Dryer is Stuck on Cooling
Clogged Exhaust Vent (The Most Common Cause)
A clogged vent is the most frequent cause of a stuck cooling light. Your dryer removes moisture by venting hot, humid air outside; however, over several months, lint and debris accumulate within the ductwork. When airflow is restricted, the dryer cannot exhaust moisture effectively, causing the system to stay in “Cooling” mode as it struggles to lower the internal humidity.
- The Solution: Clean your vent line thoroughly to restore airflow.
- Pro Tip: Beyond fixing the cooling light, regular cleaning is vital for safety—clogged vents are a leading cause of household dryer fires.
You can clean the dryer vent by detaching it and vacuuming all the loose dirt and lint inside. Then, use a brush to remove any stubborn dirt that remains. Be sure to repeat this process every 6 months to prevent this problem from recurring.
Also, remember to clean the lint trap after each cycle. That trap is the first line of defense to prevent buildups inside the dryer vents.
Read: What Is Sanitize On Samsung Dryers And How Does It Work?
2. Burned-Out Heating Element
The heating element is responsible for warming the air that evaporates moisture from your clothes. Over time, the coils can break or burn out due to wear or poor airflow. If the heater fails, the dryer cannot reach the required temperature to complete the “Dry” phase. This causes the timer to stall and the cooling light to stay on indefinitely as the machine tumbles cold air in a futile attempt to finish the cycle.
- The Solution: Test the element for continuity with a
multimeter . If the circuit is “open,” the element is defective and must be replaced.
When the dryer needs to raise its temperature, it sends electricity to the heating element. The resistance converts the electrical energy to heat. Then, a fan distributes that air throughout the drum.
The solution: A burned-out heater can’t be saved, so you must remove it immediately. Then, replace it with a new one. The process is as straightforward as removing the electrical connector and detaching the component inside the dryer.
As a precaution, disconnect the dryer from its power supply before you do that, and ensure that the dryer is cold before you handle it with your hands.
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Read: Samsung Dryer Not Heating
3. Faulty Moisture Sensor (Corrosion or Build-up)
Samsung dryers use two metal sensor bars to detect if clothes are still damp. If these bars are coated in a film from dryer sheets or minerals from hard water, they lose the ability to “feel” the moisture level. This can trick the dryer into thinking the load is still wet, causing it to stay in the cooling or drying phase much longer than necessary.
- The Solution: Clean the sensor bars with a cloth and a small amount of rubbing alcohol to remove any waxy buildup.
Read: SAMSUNG DRYER Won’t Start? 6 Reasons Why It Happens
4. Damaged Wiring or Control Board Issues
If sensors appear clean, the issue may lie in the wiring harness. Rips, corrosion, or loose connections prevent vital signals from reaching the control board. Even with functional sensors, faulty wiring can “trap” the dryer in its cooling phase by disrupting the communication required to end the cycle.
- The Solution: Inspect the wiring for visible tears or burns. Minor damage can often be spliced, but extensive corrosion requires a full harness replacement.
- Note: If the wiring is intact but the problem persists, the main control board itself may be failing to process the “cycle complete” signal.
While it’s possible to do this repair as a DIY task, you should refer to a qualified technician if you’re unsure how to do it.
Read: 5 Common Samsung Dryer Problems You Need To Know
5. Defective Thermistor (Temperature Sensor)
Earlier, you read that the moisture sensor could be the root cause of this problem. However, another sensor that could cause it is the thermistor, which senses temperature instead.
The thermistor is a temperature-sensitive resistor that tells the control board how hot the air is inside the drum. If the thermistor fails, it may send an incorrect “high heat” signal even if the dryer is cool. This false data triggers the dryer to stay in a permanent cooling state to prevent a perceived (but non-existent) overheating risk.
- The Solution: Locate the thermistor (usually near the blower housing) and test its resistance. If it doesn’t match the manufacturer’s specifications, replacing this small sensor will often solve the problem.
You’ll find the thermistor near the heating element or blower where the appliance generates and distributes heat.
By performing an electrical continuity test with the thermistor, you can confirm whether or not it still has continuity. If it doesn’t, that means it’s no longer working, and you can proceed with replacing it.
How to Reset a Samsung Dryer Stuck on Cooling
If your Samsung dryer’s cooling light stays on due to a software glitch rather than a mechanical failure, a “hard reset” is the fastest way to clear the board. Follow these steps:
- Power Down: Press the Power button to turn the unit off.
- Disconnect Power: Unplug the dryer from the wall outlet. If the plug is inaccessible, flip the dedicated circuit breaker in your home’s electrical panel to the “Off” position.
- Wait: Keep the power disconnected for at least 60 seconds. This allows the capacitors on the control board to discharge fully.
- Reconnect: Plug the dryer back in or flip the breaker back on.
- Test Cycle: Start a “Timed Dry” cycle for 20 minutes. If the cooling light functions normally and turns off at the end of the cycle, the issue was likely a temporary electronic error.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long should the cooling light stay on?
Under normal conditions, the cooling light (or “Cooling” status) should only appear during the last 5 to 10 minutes of a cycle. This phase allows the drum to tumble with the heater off to protect your clothes from wrinkling and to bring the internal components down to a safe temperature.
Will a Samsung dryer still heat if the cooling light is stuck?
Usually, no. If the dryer is stuck in “Cooling” mode, the control board often “thinks” the cycle is finishing or that the unit is already too hot. Consequently, it will not engage the heating element for the next load until the error is cleared or the faulty sensor is replaced.
Why is my Samsung dryer stuck on 1 minute?
This is closely related to the cooling light issue. If the dryer stays at the 1-minute mark, it is often because the moisture sensors are dirty or the thermistor is sending an incorrect reading. The dryer is waiting for a “dry” signal that it never receives, so it continues to tumble indefinitely in the cooling phase.
Can I bypass the moisture sensor?
You cannot electronically bypass the sensor, but you can bypass its function by switching from a “Sensor Dry” cycle (like Normal or Heavy Duty) to a “Timed Dry” cycle. In Timed Dry, the dryer runs for the exact duration you set, regardless of whether the sensors think the clothes are dry or the unit is cool.
