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Kenmore dryer not turning on
Common reasons your Kenmore dryer is not turning on
The most common reasons your Kenmore dryer is not turning on are a defective electronic control board, defective power supply board or an open heating element.
59% of the time it's the Electronic Control Board
19% of the time it's the Power Supply Board
10% of the time it's the Heating Element
12% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a Kenmore dryer
Electronic Control Board Replacement
When your dryer is not turning on, a defective electronic control board could be preventing the control panel from powering up. Wires connect the user interface control board in the control panel to the electronic control board inside the dryer. When a defective electronic control board fails to send power and proper signals to the user interface control and control panel, the dryer won’t turn on. When your dryer is completely dead, have a Sears Home Services Technician visit your home and fix the problem.
Power Supply Board Replacement
If the dryer is not turning on, a defective power supply board may need replacing. The power supply board distributes electrical current from the dryer power cord to the electronic control board and other components in the dryer. When the power supply board doesn’t send power to the electronic control board or the control panel, the dryer won’t power up. When your dryer is completely dead, have a Sears Home Services Technician visit your home and check the dryer. The technician will replace the power supply board if it’s defective.
Heating Element Replacement
An open heating element could be causing the problem when your dryer is not turning on. An open (or broken) heating element can short against metal inside the dryer cabinet and cause the house circuit breaker for the dryer to trip. If you reset the tripped breaker and it trips right away when you try to turn the dryer on, then you should have a Sears Home Services Technician check the dryer. The technician will replace the heating element if it’s open.
What to expect when you experience a Kenmore dryer not turning on issue
How is the not turning on problem fixed?
Correcting most not turning on problems usually involves replacing the electronic control board, power supply board or heating element. 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 turning on
When the dryer is not turning on it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional 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 turning on 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.
Kenmore Dryer Won’t Turn On Troubleshooting
When your Kenmore dryer won’t turn on (the digital display is dead or the drum light doesn't turn on when you open the door on a dryer with a dial timer), check the house circuit breaker and reset it if tripped. For a gas dryer, you can test the outlet by plugging a night light or small appliance into it.
If the dryer's electrical outlet works, then a bad power cord, failed timer or faulty electronic control board can prevent the dryer from turning on.
Unplug the dryer and check the power cord for damage. Examine the wiring connections for the power cord if you have an electric Kenmore dryer that won’t turn on. Use the installation guide for your Kenmore dryer to see how the power cord wires should connect to the terminal block on the back panel of the dryer. Reconnect any loose or disconnected power cord wires on the terminal block.
If these basic troubleshooting tips don’t help, schedule dryer repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and fix the problem with your Kenmore dryer that won’t turn on.
If your Kenmore dryer doesn’t power up at all, suspect a blown fuse or shorted circuit board. Breaker toggles alone won’t revive a compromised system. Instead, contact dryer service near me for safe, effective electrical repairs. You’ll soon have a working dryer again.
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Daniel provided excellent service and was very quick to perform the repair. I have nothing good to say about the warranty program and the LACK of customer service and the inability to contact a human being to talk.
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Excellent technician Very thorough and detail oriented Would be happy to have him work on appliances again He managed to find our ranch headquarters in the middle of the desert
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Dryer service
He was professional and polite. I didn't call back later that afternoon, although he replaced a thermostat the smart dry timer doesn't work as I was still having the same issue. The lady said she would email him and have him return. Never heard from anyone else.
Terry F, Oklahoma City, OK
Frequently Asked Questions
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Glossary Terms
A dryer drum is the main interior component of a clothes dryer where clothes are placed to be dried. It rotates during the drying cycle, allowing heated air to circulate through the clothes.
A dryer filter, commonly known as a lint filter, is a component of a clothes dryer that captures lint and other debris from clothes during the drying process, preventing them from clogging the dryer vent.
A dryer pedestal is a platform that elevates a dryer off the ground, making it easier to load and unload laundry while also providing additional storage space in some models.
A dryer rack is an accessory for clothes dryers that provides a stationary platform to dry items without tumbling, ideal for delicate or bulky items, or shoes that might be damaged by the usual drying cycle.