Maytag dryer not starting

How to Fix a Maytag Dryer that Won’t Start

Several issues can prevent your Maytag dryer from starting, including a faulty door switch, a broken start switch, a broken drive belt or power supply problems.

Troubleshooting steps differ for gas and electric dryers so we’ll cover advice for these types of Maytag dryers separately.

Maytag Electric Dryer Won’t Start

Failures such as a blown thermal fuse, a bad door switch, a broken start switch or a drive system issue can prevent your Maytag electric dryer from starting.

This video shows how to troubleshoot a starting problem with your dryer:

Check for Power

If you have a Maytag dryer with a timer, open the dryer door and check if the light inside the dryer turns on. If it doesn’t turn on, it's likely that the dryer has no power.

Check your power cord and the house circuit breaker. Try resetting the breaker to make sure it’s not tripped.

If your electric dryer won't start but the light is on or the control panel works, then the dryer is getting power and we'll need to check other issues.

Test the Door Switch

With the door open, press in on the door switch and see if the drum light turns off. If the drum light stays on, it’s likely that the door switch has failed. Replacing the door switch will likely fix the starting problem.

Here’s a video that shows how to replace a dryer door switch:

Be sure to unplug the dryer before beginning this repair.

Check the thermal fuse

The thermal fuse in an electric dryer will prevent the dryer from starting and running.

To test the thermal fuse, follow these steps:

1. Unplug the dryer to disconnect electrical power.
2. Access the thermal fuse. For a Maytag dryer with a timer, remove the rear panel mounting screws and pull off the back panel. For some Maytag dryers, you’ll need to remove the front panel to access the thermal fuse.
3. Unplug the wires from the thermal fuse.
4. Use a multimeter to measure the resistance between the spades on the thermal fuse.

You should measure near 0 ohms of resistance through the thermal fuse. If you measure no continuity, then replace the thermal fuse.

If you’re unsure how to access and test the thermal fuse in your Maytag dryer, schedule dryer repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician check the thermal fuse and replace it if it’s blown.

Here’s something to keep in mind. More often than not, if you blew a thermal fuse, it’s because your exhaust vent is clogged with lint. Before you hook your dryer back up, check your vent and clean it out with a lint brush.

Test the push-to-start switch

If your thermal fuse was okay, the next thing to check is the start switch.

Reassemble the dryer and then plug it back in. Open the door and push the door switch in. While holding the door switch in, push the start switch.

You should hear a click as the relay engages. Then release the door switch and you should hear a click as the relay disengages. If you heard the clicks, the start switch is probably okay.

If you didn’t hear the clicks, check continuity through the push-to-start switch.

1. With the dryer unplugged, remove the console back panel.
2. Unplug the wires from the start switch.
3. Have someone hold the start switch in and check resistance on the spades for the light blue wires.

You should measure near 0 ohms of resistance with the start button pressed in. If you measure no continuity, then you’ll need to replace the push-to-start switch.

If all of the components have checked out okay, then the motor windings or internal centrifugal switch could be defective. You should get a service technician to diagnose and repair the dryer at this point.

Maytag Gas Dryer Won’t Start

Here’s a DIY troubleshooting video to fix your Maytag gas dryer that won’t start:

The process for checking the door switch and push-to-start switch for a gas dryer are the basically the same as the electric dryer troubleshooting described above.

A blown thermal fuse in a Maytag gas dryer will prevent the dryer from heating but not running. You don’t need to check the thermal fuse for a gas dryer not starting.

If you’re unable to find and fix the cause of the starting problem in your Maytag gas dryer by following these expert tips, schedule service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the dryer.

What to expect when you experience a Maytag dryer not starting issue

How is the not starting problem fixed?

Correcting most not starting problems usually involves replacing the thermal fuse, door switch or drum belt. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

Sears Home Services recommendations for a dryer that is not starting

When the dryer is not starting it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts, we recommend scheduling Maytag dryer repair with a local Sears Home Services professional who can perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of dryer failures.

What to look out for with a dryer not starting diagnosis

Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dryer problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

Maytag Dryer Not Starting but has Power

When your Maytag dryer is not starting but has power, check the dryer door to make sure it is fully shut. Press in firmly on the door to shut if fully. If the dryer won’t start with the door fully shut, test the door switch by opening the dryer door and pressing in on the door switch to see if the drum light turns off. If the drum light stays on, the door switch is likely bad. Have a dryer service technician verify the failure and replace the door switch if necessary.

If the door switch is okay and you have an electric dryer, a blown thermal fuse could be preventing the drive motor from starting. A number of other problems can prevent a gas or electric Maytag dryer from starting including:

• Faulty push-to-start switch.
• Bad drive motor.
• Failed operating thermostat.
• Defective timer.
• Wiring failure.

Schedule dryer repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician pinpoint the cause of the failure when your Maytag dryer is not starting but has power.

Maytag Front Load Dryer Won’t Start

A Maytag front load dryer that won’t start typically has a Child Lock feature that will prevent the dryer from starting if that option is enabled.

If the Controls Locked status light is on, press and hold the Cycle Signal button for three seconds. This will turn off the Child Lock feature on most Maytag front load dryer models. With the Child Lock turned off, you should be able to start the cycle.

If the dryer won’t start with the Child Lock feature turned off, make sure the dryer door is fully shut. Press in firmly on the dryer door to shut it fully.

If your Maytag front load dryer won’t start after following these basic troubleshooting tips, schedule dryer repair service to have a service technician diagnose and repair the starting failure.

Maytag Bravo XL Dryer Won’t Start

A Maytag Bravo XL dryer that won’t start may have the door slightly ajar. Press in firmly on the dryer door to shut if fully and see if the dryer starts.

Sometimes, a power surge through the electrical lines will lock up the electronic control board and the Maytag Bravo XL dryer won’t start. Reset the electronic control board in the dryer by unplugging the power cord for 2 minutes and then plugging it back into the electrical outlet to restore power. Press the power button and select a cycle. The dryer may start properly after resetting the control board.

Check the control panel for an error code flashing in the digital display. The dryer won’t start if a component failure is detected that requires service. An error code will flash F and a number followed by E and a number then the sequence will repeat. Schedule dryer repair service when you see this type of error code flashing in the control panel display.

Maytag Dryer Turns On But Won’t Start

Make sure the door is fully shut when your Maytag dryer turns on but won’t start. Press in firmly on the dryer door to shut it fully if it’s slightly ajar.

If your model has the Child Lock feature, check to see if the lock is enabled. Follow the directions in your owner’s manual to turn off the Child Lock if you find it on. For many Maytag dryers, you’ll need to press and hold the Cycle Signal button for three seconds to disable the Child Lock.

If your Maytag dryer won’t start after following these basic troubleshooting tips, schedule dryer repair service to have a service technician diagnose and repair the starting failure. The tech may find a defective door switch, bad electronic control board, faulty control panel or wiring failure causing the starting problem.
Pressing Start on a Maytag dryer but hearing nothing commonly points to a defective door switch or fuse. Repetitive tries might worsen electrical faults. Instead, get dryer repair near me for direct troubleshooting. A swift fix restarts normal drying routines.