When a dryer that won’t start leaves you with a pile of wet clothes, arranging a repair seems like the first response. But, with proper troubleshooting, a simple adjustment could solve the problem. Why is my GE dryer not starting? The wrong setting could prevent the start of a drying cycle. Try these GE dryer troubleshooting tips to determine if a DIY fix or professional repair will resume function.
How to Troubleshoot a GE Dryer Not Starting
When your GE dryer does not turn on immediately, ruling out a simple fix can determine if a professional repair is needed. From power issues to a broken start switch, one of these common causes may be responsible for your GE dryer not starting.
1. Dryer Is Not Getting Power
A GE dryer won’t start if it doesn’t have consistent access to electrical power. A variety of issues could compromise power, prohibiting the dryer from starting or the control panel from functioning.
The following power issues can prevent the dryer from starting:
- Electrical cord is incorrectly plugged in: Make sure the dryer’s electrical cord is properly plugged into a working outlet.
- Dryer is plugged in with an extension cord: Avoid using extension cords to plug in the dryer. They can’t reliably transmit the voltage it requires, leading to surges that cut off power.
- Tripped circuit breaker: Check your home’s circuit breaker box for tripped breakers, resetting them if necessary.
2. Dryer Door Not Latched Shut
The dryer’s door latch is a safety feature that prevents the dryer from starting if the door isn’t fully closed. When closing the dryer door, be sure to give it a firm push to engage the latch. Once it’s engaged, the door latch will signal the dryer that a drying cycle can begin.
Why won’t my dryer turn on if the door is fully closed? The door latch may be broken. If the latch shows visible damage or a lack of continuity with multimeter testing, it must be replaced.
Pro Tip: To avoid a door latch failure, don’t slam your dryer door when closing it. Always be gentle to prolong the life of the door lock.
Image Courtesy of GE
3. Need to Change Dryer Settings
Using a Delicate setting on regular fabrics can mean your dryer takes multiple cycles to dry clothing. Similarly, incorrect settings can also prevent or delay the start of a drying cycle. If you find your GE dryer not starting, check to see if the Control Lock or Delay Dry buttons are illuminated. The Control Lock feature locks the entire control panel to prevent an accidental start. If your dryer has a Delay Dry option, it will delay the start of a cycle to a predetermined later time.
Follow these steps to deactivate the Control Lock or Delay start options so the dryer starts immediately:
- Control Lock: Press and hold the Control Lock and minus (-) button for 3 seconds. The Control Lock icon will flash before turning off completely.
- Delay Dry: Press and hold the Delay Dry button for 3 seconds.
Lastly, make sure you press the Start button firmly, depressing it fully. This activates the start switch to begin a drying cycle.
4. Start Switch Is Broken
When the Start button is firmly pushed, it activates the start switch directly behind the control panel. This switch prompts the motor to start turning the dryer drum, beginning a drying cycle. When the switch is effective, you should hear the sound of the motor humming as the drying cycle continues.
If the start switch is broken it won’t activate the dryer motor. How can you tell if the start switch is broken? If you find your GE dryer not starting or making a humming sound, the switch likely malfunctioned. It requires replacement If multimeter testing confirms this with a lack of continuity.
5. Dryer Thermal Fuse Failure
What if my GE dryer will not start after trying the above tips? It’s possible that the thermal fuse has failed. The thermal fuse is a protective device that blows if the dryer is in danger of overheating, stopping any function. If multimeter testing shows that the fuse has no continuity, it’s blown and must be replaced for the dryer to start.
As overheating is often caused by clogged dryer vents, always check the vents for blockages if the fuse blows. Remove any blockages before replacing a GE dryer thermal fuse.
Whether you need tips on how to prevent dryer static or require a dryer repair, the experts at Solar Appliance Service can help. Contact us for all your laundry appliance needs!
