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If your Samsung won’t start, it is most likely one of the causes listed below. Also they are one of the best engineered appliances in the world, all mechanical components are eventually prone to malfunction.
- Broken Idler Pulley (most common)
- Broken Drum Belt (most common)
- Failed Idler Pulley Microswitch
- Malfunctioned Dryer Motor
- Blown Thermal Fuse
- Broken Door Striker
There are 6 common problems why your Samsung dryer won’t start. Broken idler pulley, broken drum belt, failed pulley switch, bad dryer motor, blown thermal fuse, or broken door striker. Use this troubleshooting guide to determine which issue and how to fix it.
Read Also: 5 Common Samsung Dryer Problems
Top Reason: Idler Pulley Is Broken
What it is: Have you ever wondered how dryers spin, especially at such high speeds? They do so by relying on a drive belt and a series of pulleys.
One such pulley is known as the ‘tension pulley’ or ‘idler pulley’, and it has one straightforward job to do: the idler pulley keeps the drive belt under constant tension so that it can turn the dryer drum efficiently.
The idler pulley consists of a pulley wheel that has its central axle running through bearings.
That pulley sits on an arm, and the drive belt wraps around that wheel on its way to the back of the drum.
Why it fails: The idler pulley is constantly pushing down against the drive belt to keep it tense.
Over time, that pulley can wear out and even break entirely as part of the machine’s natural wear and tear.
That’s why a broken idler pulley is the top reason why a Samsung dryer might not be able to start.
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Idler pulleys might wear out quicker if the machine is under constant use. An example of that is homes with large families, where people might use the Samsung dryer more often than in other households.
How to fix: Replacing a broken idler pulley can be pretty tricky. The process involves opening the front access panel to the machine and removing the drum entirely.
Doing so is necessary to gain access to the idler pulley located deep inside the machine, towards the back.
First, you must remove the drive belt from the idler pulley. Only then can you replace it with a new one.
Once that’s done, you’ll need to work backwards. Replace the drive belt, then the drum, and lastly, the front panel.
Drum Belt Broken
What it is: Samsung dryers rely on an intricate system of pulleys, rollers, and bearings to turn the drum.
The part that ties them together is the drive belt, also known as the ‘drum belt’.
That belt, typically made of rubber, loops around the outside of the drum, the drive pulley, and the idler pulley.
It goes around those parts in a serpentine shape that keeps it under tension, maximizing its ability to turn the drum.
Why it fails: Over a long time and especially with extended use, the drum belt can suffer from excessive wear and tear.
That means the belt can get frayed, and if not replaced for long enough, the belt could break or snap entirely. Samsung dryer won’t start.
When that happens, the dryer’s motor will continue to turn as fast as possible, but none of its power will be transferred to the drum because of the broken belt.
How to fix: Replacing the drum belt is a pretty straightforward task. Once the power supply has been disconnected, you’ll start by removing the necessary access panels to reach the belt.
If that belt is still wrapped around the moving parts, it’ll still be under a lot of tension. That’s why you’ll need to depress the idler pulley to release the belt.
When putting in the new belt, wrap it in a serpentine shape around the motor and idler pulley. Then, wrap it around the drum itself in the same way as the previous belt.
Read also: Samsung Dryer Not Heating Up
Idler Pulley Microswitch Failed
What it is: The idler pulley microswitch is usually located somewhere near the motor, and it has one straightforward job: to communicate to the dryer if the drive belt is broken.
That way, if a belt breaks, the dryer will know not to waste energy trying to power up the motor.
To be precise, if the microswitch senses that the belt has broken, the switch will break the electrical circuit and prevent electrical current from flowing to the motor.
Why it fails: As the name suggests, the idler pulley microswitch is an electric switch that’s actuated physically.
Simply put, the switch has moving parts that might fail after many years in service.
Suppose the switch was somehow exposed to excess moisture. That could also speed up its wear and tear, causing it to break, rust, or even short-circuit.
All of that will also lead to the switch failing and preventing the dryer from starting.
How to fix: Idler pulley microswitches are pretty straightforward to replace. As with many other parts of the Samsung dryer, the main challenge is getting access to that switch in the first place.
Replacement switches are available at online retailers such as Amazon. Click here. They start around $10 and up. Be sure to check model number before ordering.
Be sure to disconnect the power supply from the dryer. Then, refer to the user manual or tech sheet to know which access panel to remove.
You may have to remove the motor housing and the belt and pulleys to reach the existing switch.
Once you’ve done, disconnect the connectors and remove the switch. Put in the new switch, but make sure to put the electrical connectors back the same way as before.
Motor Failed – Samsung dryer won’t start
What it is: You can think of the motor in your Samsung dryer as its heart. It takes in an electrical current and generates power.
That power is transferred to the drum through the belt and pulleys described earlier.
A functioning dryer motor should be able to turn the drum effortlessly and without making any excessive noise.
All you’ll usually hear is a gentle hum whenever the dryer cycle has begun.
Why it fails: Dryer motors are also prone to failure at some point. If your Samsung dryer won’t start at all, there’s a possibility that the start winding has burnt out.
The result? The electrical current will flow to the motor, and it might still generate a humming noise. However, the motor simply won’t be able to start.
So, if your dryer just humming and not able to start, most likely dryer motor is burnt. Samsung Dryer won’t start.
How to fix: Replacing a critical component like the dryer’s motor isn’t an easy DIY task. So, don’t be afraid to refer to a professional technician to do it for you.
Whether or not you decide to replace the motor yourself, here’s what the task will look like.
Everything starts with disconnecting the power supply. Then, the larger access panels must be removed so that you can take the drum out. That will give you straightforward and easy access to the motor.
Because the motor plays such a critical role, there are plenty of things attached to it that you must remove.
That includes mounting bolts, the belt and pulleys, as well as the blower wheel and air duct. Once you’ve carefully removed each one, then you can remove the motor.
Put the new motor in its place and work your way backwards. That means reattaching the blower wheel and air duct, the belt and pulleys, as well as all the electrical connectors.
The final two parts are the drum and the access panels. With those back in place, you’re done!
Thermal Fuse Is Blown
What it is: You can find a thermal fuse in any home appliance that runs hot, including your Samsung dryer.
On your Samsung dryer, this particular thermal fuse is located on the blower housing.
As the name suggests, it’s an electrical fuse that’s triggered by heat. So, if the temperature inside your dryer gets too hot, the fuse will blow and break the electrical circuit.
In doing so, it’ll cut the power to the entire appliance and prevent it from damaging itself. Samsung dryer won’t start.
Why it fails: When a thermal fuse blows, it’s usually a symptom of a larger problem.
So, besides replacing the fuse, you’ll also need to figure out why the dryer has become too hot in the first place.
The most common reason for a blown thermal fuse is that the air vent is clogged with lint and dirt.
Clogged dryer vents prevent heat from escaping, which is why the thermal fuse overheats and blows.
How to fix: In this case, there are two fixes. Replacing the thermal fuse will require you to open up the dryer and access the blower housing.
Then, all you’ll need to do is mount the new thermal fuse and put back its electrical connector.
Besides that, don’t forget to clean out your air vent or troubleshoot for any other problem that might cause your dryer to overheat. See the kinked and blocked vent below in image.
Door Strike Is Broken
What it is: When you shut your dryer’s door, the door lock will watch onto the door strike.
The door strike isn’t a sophisticated component, but it plays a crucial role. It helps keep the dryer door shut, preventing heat from escaping and allowing the dryer to begin its cycle.
Why it fails: After years in use, a dryer door may have been opened and closed thousands of times.
When done particularly hard, the door strike could break and fail to keep the door completely shut.
As a result, the dryer will sense that the door is never closed and will not start its drying cycle.
Again, replacement door strikes are easily available on Amazon. Click here.
How to fix: You’ll find the door strike on the inside of the dryer’s door. Replacing it is very easy.
All you have to do is unscrew the door strike and remove it. Then, screw the new door strike in place, and you’re done!
Close the door and ensure that it’s aligned correctly with the door lock.
Read also: Samsung Dryer Error Codes Explained
