Maytag Dryer: not turning on

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Maytag Dryer not turning on? This common issue often stems from a door not fully closed or a faulty door switch. When you press the Start button, the dryer should power up and the drum should rotate. If nothing happens, it's essential to troubleshoot simple causes before considering repairs.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Maytag Models

  • Maytag dryers require Control Lock off and door fully closed for start; official troubleshooting emphasizes these conditions.

Possible Causes

Door not fully closed or door switch fault

How to Identify: Dryer does nothing when Start is pressed but trying to close door firmly or listening for door switch click may indicate issue.

Part: Door switch / latch

DIY Solutions

Verify door closure and door switch function

Easy 5–10 minutes
Tools Needed: none
  1. Ensure dryer door is fully closed and latch engages.
  2. Listen for a ‘click’ when closing door, indicating door switch actuation.
  3. If no click, press firmly or adjust strike to ensure switch engages.
⚠️ Safety First: Do not force door beyond normal closure range.

Disengage Control Lock

Easy 1–2 minutes
  1. Locate Control Lock indicator or button sequence on your model.
  2. Hold the Control Lock button to turn it off.
  3. Try starting the dryer again.

Check and reset circuit breaker

Easy 5 minutes
Tools Needed: none
  1. Go to home electrical panel.
  2. Locate dryer circuit breaker and switch it off then on again.
  3. Verify power at dryer and try starting again.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure hands and area are dry when accessing electrical panel.

Professional Repairs

Replace faulty start switch

Estimated Cost: $25 - $80

Replace thermal fuse or high limit thermostat

Estimated Cost: $15 - $50

Motor assembly replacement

Estimated Cost: $100 - $300

When to Call a Professional

Dryer shows signs of electrical fault (burn smell, sparking)
DIY tests (door switch, breaker reset) don’t resolve no-start
Multimeter tests indicate faulty internal components

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean lint trap and ensure vents free of obstruction: Overheat-related thermal fuse blowing which can prevent startup
    Frequency: Monthly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Maytag Dryer not turning on?
Common causes include a door that isn't fully closed or a faulty door switch.
How do I fix Maytag Dryer not turning on myself?
Check door closure, disengage control lock, and reset the circuit breaker.
How much does it cost to fix not turning on?
Professional repair costs range from $15 to $300 depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for not turning on?
If DIY solutions fail or if the issue involves complex parts like the motor.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

100%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Door switch failure (2 mentions)
  • Thermal fuse issue (1 mentions)
  • Connection issue when positioned against the wall (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Check and replace the door switch

    Success rate: 40.0%

  2. Check for thermal fuse issues

    Success rate: 20.0%

  3. Ensure proper connection by repositioning the dryer

    Success rate: 20.0%
Analysis based on 4 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Maytag dryer wont turn on
  2. Opened dryer door, saw a spark/flash of light, and now won't...
  3. Can someone point me in the right direction to troubleshoot ...
  4. Dryer makes a whirring noise when I hit start but won't turn

Community Discussions

opened dryer door, saw a spark/flash of light, and now won't turn on

The door switch may have failed, possibly due to an overload.

DIY View on Reddit →

dryer just completely wont turn on

Check for thermal fuse or door switch issues.

DIY View on Reddit →

won't turn on

The dryer started working after being pulled away from the wall, indicating a possible connection issue.

DIY View on Reddit →

Dryer makes a whirring noise when I hit start but won't turn

Cleaned the blower wheel, but the issue returned after two days.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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