Dryers are essential in modern households, but they sometimes fail to work. Even high-quality Samsung dryers have problems in some instances. Samsung dryers often have heating issues. What causes this?
Is your Samsung dryer not heating properly? There are solutions, and you should know them if your dryer is experiencing this issue. Rather than calling a technician, try these troubleshooting steps first.
If a Samsung dryer stops heating, a defective part causes it to overheat. The most common causes are a blown fuse or a clogged air vent line. If the problem persists after the vent pipes have been cleaned, the faulty component can be isolated and replaced. You could use a multi-meter to check the functionality of some of these components.
Over a decade on the market, the Samsung dryer should have had its ups and downs. However, this product still receives many complaints. These include the dryer not heating the clothes and the dryer not drying well.
However, this is not an unfair critique because many people want their garments to dry quickly, but other factors can make that difficult. We explain everything from simple maintenance to complex repairs requiring specific tools. This article will help you handle this project whether you’re a DIY pro or a beginner.
Possible Causes of Samsung Dryers Not Heating and How to Fix Them?
Read on to find out why a gas or electric Samsung dryer stops heating and how to fix it.
1. Burnt Thermal Cut-Off Fuse
A component prevents overheating in heat-generating equipment like your stove or Samsung dryer. It is called a thermal cut-off fuse. They’re called “sacrificial” devices because they burn or explode to safeguard the appliance.
A thermal cut-off fuse in the dryer’s heater component prevents damage from overheating in your Samsung dryer. The dryer won’t heat up if the fuse for the thermal cut-off melts, which can happen if the temperature gets too high.
When dryers overheat like that, it’s usually because the vents are blocked. Overheating the heater assembly causes the thermal cut-off fuse to ignite if adequate airflow is not provided to remove the heat from the heating components.
The solution to this issue involves two steps. You must replace the blown thermal cut-off fuse first. These components are considered “disposable” because they are beyond repair. Ultimately, the only option is to replace them. Always remember to turn off the power before making any adjustments or repairs. You should also keep your user guide and technical sheet handy for easy access.
You can use that as a guide while you take off the panels (usually the back panel) to get to the heater assembly. Another precaution is to wait until the heater assembly has cooled down thoroughly before touching it. You must remove the blown fuse before you can install the new one. Fuse replacement addresses the symptom but not the underlying problem. To keep your dryer from overheating, you should clean its vents regularly.
2. Check Gas Valve Solenoid and Igniter
The solenoid for the gas valve and the igniter would be the following to check in a gas-powered dryer. Your Samsung dryer may include two or more gas valve solenoid coils to facilitate gas flow to the burner assembly. The igniter lights the gas when you turn on your dryer’s gas. A failure in either of these parts will prevent your dryer from producing heat.
Examining the igniter to determine if the gas valve solenoid is operating is necessary. You can do it by checking if the gas is ignited when the igniter is turned on or whether the igniter goes out. Make sure there is continuity if the igniter doesn’t produce any light. There needs to be continuity between the two ends of the igniter, or else it will need to be replaced. If the igniter is glowing, but the gas won’t light, it’s time to swap out the gas valve coils. If you’ve already tried replacing the gas valve solenoid coils or the igniter, see if that solves the issue. You need to replace both.
Moreover, be aware that you should only touch the heater assembly once it has cooled to room temperature. You must remove the blown fuse before you can install the new one. Fuse replacement addresses the symptom but not the underlying problem. To keep your dryer from overheating, you should clean its vents regularly.
3. Flame Sensor
If your dryer is gas-powered, a faulty flame sensor could be to blame for the failure to heat. Because it is the flame sensor’s job to gauge how hot the dryer is getting from the flame, the dryer won’t get hot if it breaks down.
To fix it:
- Unplug the dryer from its power source.
- Remove the top and side panels (if necessary) to expose the flame sensor. You can test the sensor’s continuity with a multimeter (ensure it is at room temperature when you fix it).
- Check for continuity to see if the sensor is functioning correctly before moving on to the next part.
- However, it will have to be replaced if the test lacks continuity.
4. Defective Heating Element
The Samsung dryer can only do its job of drying clothes after first producing heat. The heating element is essential for this function. The heating element’s precise design may vary slightly from one model to the next. Nonetheless, the way they function is similar.
Power is sent to the heating element whenever the machine requires heat. Drying is accomplished by generating heat in a heating element and directing it into the dryer with the help of a blower fan. It will entirely dry off everything you put into your Samsung dryer.
When a Samsung dryer stops heating, it’s usually because the heating element has burned out. Checking the Samsung dryer’s heating element with a multimeter or visually can tell you for sure if that’s the case. The resistance of the heating element should be around 10 Ohms when measured using a multi-meter. Then the heating element in your appliance is functioning correctly.
In addition, you can take a closer look at the heating element with a flashlight. A burned-out part will either have a distinct odor or visible burn marks along its length.
You need a new heating element to fix your stove. In most cases, you can accomplish that with little effort. Fixing this would be time-consuming and labor-intensive due to the difficulty in accessing the housing for the heating element. Before doing any repairs on a dryer, the power should always be disconnected from the appliance to avoid the risk of electric shock.
Then, keep the technical sheet and user guide nearby for easy access. You can find the heating element for your model in the housing, usually near the air vents.
You may require the removal of the drum and other components to access. However, you’ll need to remove the old heating element and unplug the wires from the housing before installing the new one. First, you’ll need to replace a broken part with a new one, and then you can go backward to reinstall the parts and panels you removed.
5. Clogged Lint Filter
If your Samsung dryer isn’t heating up, check the lint filter. The purpose of a lint trap is to capture the lint, fibers, and other debris that fall off your garments during the drying cycle. A clogged lint filter might prevent air from entering the device, preventing it from heating.
It is advised that the lint trap be cleansed after each laundry cycle is completed. First, find the filter, typically under the machine or atop the front panel, together with the exhaust pipe exit. Take it apart and use a vacuum or a brush and scraper to remove any lint or dust that has collected inside the housing. Once that’s done, put it back where it was and put it through a test cycle to check if the correction was successful.
6. High-Limit Thermostat
Your dryer’s high-limit thermostat is responsible for performing its duty by monitoring the temperature of your dryer. The dryer will turn off by itself if the burner is dangerously close to reaching a temperature where it will start to overheat. Suppose the high-limit thermostat turns off the dryer even if the temperature inside the dryer is significantly lower than the overheated limit. In that case, this indicates that the thermostat is not functioning correctly and should be replaced.
Because this device does not often fail, you will need to examine the other components immediately surrounding it to determine whether or not they are operating as expected. If you want to be specific, you can do diagnostics by using a multimeter test to check for the continuity of the high-limit thermostat. You will need to replace it if it maintains continuity.
7. Check the Air Vent Line
Blocked air vents reduce heating. The vent system ensures airflow. The heating system will fail if particles or overstocking of the dryer cover these vents.
The dryer drum may be heated but not drying because the vent is clogged. Unplug the air vent and check for debris. Wash and dry it before reinstalling it. To prevent air vent blockage, clean the lint filter frequently.
8. No Gas
- A lack of gas is one of the reasons why a gas dryer might not be heating up, and it’s also one of the easiest to check.
- Make sure to switch on the gas valve.
- Make sure that the gas pipe is appropriately attached to the dryer.
- Check that you have paid the gas bill.
9. Failed Cycling Thermostat
This thermostat controls the temperature by turning the heater on and off repeatedly. The dryer can’t heat up if the cycling thermostat is broken. It is usually not the case, however. Before purchasing a new cycling thermostat, you must examine the most frequently broken components. After ensuring everything else is fine, check the thermostat’s functionality by checking for continuity using a multimeter. You need to replace the thermostat if there is a lack of continuity.
10. Faulty Timer
The dryer’s timer may be faulty if it fails to heat. But this happens relatively infrequently. Instead of just changing the timer, make sure you’ve checked the more obvious places you could break it. After ensuring everything else is fine, you may check the timer with a multimeter and a wiring diagram. You should change a damaged timer immediately.
11. Failed Control Board
It is the dryer’s control panel, and it is difficult to test it if you suspect it is broken. You can only do it after carefully examining the parts prone to damage. Check for signs of smoking, including burnt wires and tripping. Call a technician if the control board’s components are not working correctly.
Most people know that the control board is the “brain” of a heating device. Numerous electrical components are housed in the dryer’s control panel. That is why when this component fails, there is a possible heater relay failure causing a lack of power to generate heat.
Naturally, it is feasible to fix merely the heater relay, but if you want to do it yourself, here are some steps you can take. Your dryer’s primary control board should be behind the panel that controls the dryer’s settings. You’ll need to remove the cover to get to it. However, the placement of the components may differ from model to model, so it’s always advisable to check the handbook for the most accurate instructions.
Once you’ve located the control board, you may start dismantling it by removing the associated cables and screws. And assemble the new board. It’s important to reinstall the screws and plugs and use them the same way as previously.
12. Faulty Drive Motor
Upon startup, the centrifugal switch on most dryer drive motors shuts the heat cycle contact, allowing the dryer’s heat source to begin operating. If the centrifugal switch on the motor is broken, the dryer won’t heat up even if the motor turns on. You must replace the motor if the centrifugal switch fails since most switches are not supplied separately.
13. Poor Maintenance
Next, open your dryer cabinet. A dirty dryer causes many problems; therefore, it is time to clean it. Cleaning doesn’t waste time, and opening the cabinet gives you a greater troubleshooting area. Dryers need airflow. Clogged exhaust ducts are a common cause of poor airflow, which can cause the heating system to shut down completely.
14. Other Small Causes
- Incoming Power Problem – If the problem exists in the power supply, then your dryer will not get heated. Dryers that use AC current require a total of 240 volts, which can only be provided by connecting two 120-volt outlets in parallel. It is common for a dryer to continue running without heat if just one fuse or breaker is tripped. Checking the circuit breaker or fuse box, or taking a voltage reading at the outlet, may solve the problem.
- Unloading Over-laden Laundry – The last load of wet clothes you put in the dryer is still somewhat damp and cold, despite having been there for an eternity. It is the first sign of a problem with the machine’s heating system, which prevents it from producing sufficiently “hot” air to circulate the drum and dry the clothing. Overloading is a prevalent issue, yet it’s also one of the simplest to solve. Overloading the dryer allows the hot air to flow over the clothes, but it also means that the items at the top of the load won’t become dry. How do you resolve the issue? Don’t overfill the dryer the next time you use it; remove items until you reach the maximum load size and rerun the machine.
- Inspect the Thermostat – The thermostat’s primary function is to prevent the heating element from overheating. There’s a chance the thermostat is still operational if the fuse is good, though probably not to the point where fuses are being blown. If the thermostat doesn’t beep or displays poor continuity readings on the multimeter, try opening the housing. Just get a new one.
- Bad Moisture Sensor Wiring – It’s possible that the wiring for the moisture sensor is faulty, in which case the dryer will display an open circuit indicator (meaning there are no wet clothes). The dryer won’t heat up during the automatic cycles but will probably do so during the scheduled dry cycles. The reading should be around 190 ohms when there are wet clothes.
- Check Igniter – Heat ignites the gas in the burner unit. If the igniter doesn’t work, the gas won’t ignite, and the dryer won’t heat. Use a multimeter to test the igniter’s continuity to see whether it’s burned out. Replace the igniter if it’s broken.
- Free Up the Ventilation – When the dryer vent in your Samsung appliance becomes clogged, the hot air in your dryer cannot purify itself of contaminants and lint, leading to a heating failure. To ensure enough airflow, examine the hose around the rear and clean it with a brush or a strong air blower. Afterward, you should clear off the lint screen if it has become clogged. Finally, remove the cover from the housing and look for any remaining blockages.
- Check Main Control Board – There may be a problem with the primary control board. However, this rarely occurs. Check the most common problematic parts before replacing the main control board. Replace the main control board if all other components are working. (You cannot examine the control board, but you can look for signs of burning or a damaged part.)
What is the Procedure For Resetting a Samsung Dryer?
Reset a Samsung dryer requires only approximately ten minutes of your time. You first need to disconnect it and then wait for at least five minutes to ensure that all the electricity has been discharged from the cables. After that, plug it in and hit the Start/Pause button on the remote control. Keep your finger on the button until at least 15 seconds. If your Samsung dryer blinks with no error code, you successfully reset it.
What Common Parts Need to Fix for a Dryer That Will Not Heat?
The vent, the thermostat, and the drum are the three most likely components of a dryer to break. Small internal components in each of them are easily damaged by overheating, short-circuiting, and mechanical forces. If one of these parts breaks, your dryer won’t dry.
Think Smart
Every home needs a dryer, so it’s a big deal when one fails. However, this article’s simple procedures can fix most Samsung dryer issues.
As previously indicated, the Samsung dryer may stop functioning if one or more parts fail to work correctly. But if something minor like the fuse or the heating element breaks, you may quickly fix it yourself. Please ensure the replacement part is compatible with your dryer before buying it.
- First, buy spares from Samsung. Not all third-party ones work.
- Second, check your dryer model to get a compatible part.
- Third, some dryers have layered systems, so check the handbook. It will guarantee that you replace the part without damaging other system components.
- Fourth, if none of these steps work and you can’t fix it yourself or by thoroughly checking the handbook, get professional help.
