8 Reasons Your Amana Dryer Won’t Start

If your Amana Dryer won’t start this guide will help you find the cause of the problem and fix it. To help make this as easy as possible for you we have worked out the 8 most likely causes, ranked from easiest to fix to the hardest.

This guide covers all major Amana dryer models, including:

ALE643RBW CE2402/P7762235W CE2402/P7762335W CE4317L2/PCE4317L2 CE4317W2/PCE4317W2 CE8317W2/PCE8317W2 CE8407W/PCE8407W DLE330RAW DLG330RAW LEA30AW LEA60AW LGA30AW LGA60AW NDE2330AYW NDE2335AYW NDE7800AYW NDG2330AWW NED4655EW1 NED5100TQ1 NED7200TW10 NED7300WW1

1. The dryer might not be getting power

If your Amana Dryer won’t start the most likely cause of the problem is your dryer’s power supply. To check the power supply, you need to:

1. Check that the power socket is working by unplugging your dryer and plugging it into a separate power socket. If the dryer works in another socket, the old socket will need to be repaired or replaced.
2. If the power socket is not the cause of the problem, go to your household fuse box and check that the circuit breaker responsible for powering your dryer is switched on. If the circuit breaker is switched on, check the fuses with a multimeter for continuity, and if defective, replace them. if fine, proceed to reason 

2. The thermal fuse might be defective

The next possible reason your Amana dryer isn’t starting is a faulty thermal fuse. This fuse is responsible for turning your dryer off if it overheats. Sometimes they can become defective and turn your dryer off (preventing it from starting) even if it isn’t overheating.  This is how to inspect, and if necessary, replace the thermal fuse: 

1. Unplug your Amana dryer from the wall or turn the circuit breaker off.
2. Next, locate the thermal fuse (if you’re not sure where it is located in your Amana dryer, consult your user manual).
3. Test the thermal fuse with a multimeter to ensure it has continuity.
4. If it fails the test, replace it and then check if the problem has been solved. If the fuse does have continuity or if replacing the old one doesn’t fix the problem, proceed to reason 3.

3. The start switch might be defective

Your dryer has a start switch in it that can sometimes become defective which will prevent your dryer from starting.  To rule the start switch out as the cause of the problem, you need to:

1. Start by turning your dryer onto a cycle. 
2. Listen for a humming sound coming from your dryer. If you can hear a humming sound this means the switch is defective and will need to be replaced.
3. If you don’t hear a humming sound, unplug your Amana dryer from the wall or turn the circuit breaker off.
4. Next, locate the start switch (if you’re not sure where it is in your Amana dryer, consult your user manual).
5. Test the start switch with a multimeter to ensure it has continuity.
6. If it fails the test, replace it and then check if the problem has been solved. If the switch does have continuity or if replacing the old one doesn’t fix the problem, proceed to reason 4.

4. The door switch might be defective

The next possible reason your Amana dryer isn’t starting is a faulty door switch. Normally, when you close your dryer door the door switch should be activated and you’re able to turn your dryer on. If it becomes defective your dryer might not start.  Here’s how to inspect, and if necessary, replace the door switch:

1. Unplug your Amana dryer from the wall or turn the circuit breaker off.
2. Next, locate the door switch (if you’re not sure where it is located in your Amana dryer, consult your user manual).
3. Test the door switch with a multimeter to ensure it has continuity.
4. If it fails the test, replace it and then check if the problem has been solved. If the door switch does have continuity or if replacing the old one doesn’t fix the problem, proceed to reason 5.

5. The drive motor might be faulty

The next possible cause of your Amana not starting to investigate is if the drive motor has become faulty. The drive motor is one of the most important components in your dryer as it helps the dryer drum to rotate. Here’s how to inspect the drive motor, and if necessary, replace it:

1. Unplug your Amana dryer from the wall or turn the circuit breaker off.
2. Next, remove the top and side panels from your dryer so you can gain access to the drive motor.
3. Locate the drive motor (if you’re not sure where it is located in your Amana dryer, consult your user manual).
4. Test the drive motor with a multimeter to ensure it has continuity.
5. If it fails the test, replace it and then check if the problem has been solved. If the drive motor does have continuity or if replacing the old one doesn’t fix the problem, proceed to reason 6.

6. The drive belt might be defective

If the drive motor is working correctly, the next reason to look at is if the drive belt has come off the drum or if it has snapped. You’ll find the drive belt around the drum and its purpose is to help the drum rotate. This is how you check if the drive belt is working correctly:

1. Unplug your Amana dryer or switch the circuit breaker off if you haven’t already.
2. Next, if you haven’t already removed the top and side panels from your dryer, you’ll need to so you can access the drive belt.
3. Locate the drive belt (it goes around the drum).
4. Inspect the drive belt for any signs of wear and tear or if it has come out of position. Also, make sure it goes around the pulleys.
5. If the drive belt is defective, replace it. If fine, proceed to reason 7.
6. If you do replace the drive belt, turn your dryer on and check if it now starts. If not, proceed to reason 7.

7. The timer might be defective

Another reason why your Amana dryer isn’t starting is if the timer has stopped working. The timer is there to control how long your dryer stays turned on and if it becomes faulty your dryer might not be able to start. Here’s how to inspect the timer, and if necessary, replace it:

1. Unplug your Amana dryer from the wall or turn the circuit breaker off.
2. Next, if you haven’t already removed the top and side panels from your dryer you’ll need to so you can access the timer.
3. Locate the timer (if you’re not sure where it is located in your Amana dryer, consult your user manual).
4. Test the timer with a multimeter to ensure it has continuity.
5. If it fails the test, replace it and then check if the problem has been solved. If the timer does have continuity or if replacing the old one doesn’t fix the problem, proceed to reason 

8. The main control board is defective

The final reason that your Amana dryer isn’t starting is a defective main control board. The main control board doesn’t become defective very often, but if you’ve tested all the other components in this guide, you should consider replacing the main control board and seeing if that fixes the problem.