Kenmore Elite Dryer Won’t Start – What To Do?

If you're having trouble getting your Kenmore Elite dryer to run, you've come to the right page. We'll help you get it started so you can dry your clothes in no time. We asked experts what you can do to get your unit running again, and here's what they said.

If your Kenmore Elite dryer doesn't start, you need to check the condition of the following components:

• power outlet
• thermal fuse
• start switch
• door switch
• drive motor
• belt switch
• drive belt
• timer
• main control board

You would need to use a multimeter to check the continuity of most of the mentioned parts. Check each part to identify the root cause of the problem and fix or replace the defective component.

Keep on reading so we can guide you through the process so you can have your Kenmore Elite dryer running again. We'll also answer if you can bypass a dryer start switch, how much it costs to replace a dryer switch, and if Sears appliance repair service is still in business. Let's get started!

Why won't my dryer start?

It is such a hassle when you have a full load of clothes to dry, but the dryer won't start. Of course, you need to know what's wrong so that you can address the issue right away unless you want to air dry all of your clothes all the time.

There are many possible reasons why your Kenmore Elite dryer won't start. They involve different parts of your dryer. Here are the most common issues that you need to look into:

• Power outlet problem
• Blown thermal fuse (due to clogged dryer vent)
• Broken push-to-start switch
• Defective door switch
• Faulty drive motor
• Defective belt switch
• Broken drive belt
• Defective timer
• Problem with the main control panel

You would need a multimeter to check the switches for continuity. This will let you know if they are working properly or not.

To check if the problem is with the power outlet, you need to unplug your dryer from the outlet. Plug in another appliance to check if it will run using the same outlet. You can also check the circuit breaker to see if the connection is okay.

If you have blown a fuse, remove the lint from the vent before replacing the thermal fuse.

For the rest of the components, you need to check their condition to identify the source of the problem. If you're having a hard time, it's best to call a technician to take a look into your dryer and get it to start again.

Can you bypass a dryer start switch?

The short answer to this question would be yes, you can bypass a dryer start switch. But experts say that this should only be done for emergency purposes when you're troubleshooting the problem on your dryer.

Using a jumper wire is only recommended for testing purposes. Once you've confirmed that the reason why your dryer won't start is because of a broken push-to-start switch, you should have it repaired or replaced immediately so that you can have your dryer running once again.

Bypassing the switch can result in serious harm to the unit and even to yourself so only do this procedure if you have the proper knowledge. Otherwise, leave it to the professionals.

The above video is a good demonstration of how to bypass the switch. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Unplug the dryer.
2. Remove the control panel.
3. Disconnect the switch from the wiring.
4. Prepare a jumper wire and stick the two ends to the female quick disconnect terminal of the plug that has blue wirings.
5. Keep the jumper wire in place by wrapping the connection with electrical tape.
6. Attach the wire harness to the side of the dryer.
7. Make sure that the timer in your dryer is set on the off position before you plug it back on.
8. Set the timer to begin a cycle and check if it will run. If it does, then it's confirmed that you have a problem with your switch.

If your dryer switch is broken, your dryer might not start at all. The door switch has the important function of detecting whether the door is open or closed. It won't give the go signal to the control panel when the door is open. With a defective switch, the control panel might think that the door is still open, that's why it won't run.

The good thing is that the door switch is relatively cheap to replace, and it's easy to fix. It'll cost you around $50 to $150 to have your dryer restored to good working condition.

To determine if a faulty switch is really the culprit for why your dryer won't run, you need to contact a technician. The switch has to be taken out and tested using a multimeter.

To remove and replace the door switch, the technician will:

• Use a putty knife to remove the lid from the dryer.
• Unscrew the switch from its attachment to the wiring and remove it from the door.
• At this point, the technician will test the switch to see if it's working. An analog or digital multimeter is used for testing. It will be placed on the two metal prongs on the switch.
• If the multimeter drops to zero, there's no problem with the switch. But if it doesn't change, it means that the switch is indeed broken and has to be replaced.

The door switch is one of the components that the technician will check when your dryer isn't working. If it is defective, have it replaced so you can have your dryer running again, and you can leave your clothes to dry and have them ready for use again.

How do you reset a Kenmore Elite dryer?

There are times when you need to reset your Kenmore Elite dryer to put it back in order. For example, it is stuck in a certain cycle, and you can't move it to another cycle. Or it could be that certain lights are on without you having any clue what's happening.

Oftentimes, you just need to reboot the system so you can have your dryer working in proper order again. To reset a Kenmore Elite dryer, you just need to do the following.

1. Remove the plug from the outlet. If the outlet is hard to reach, you can shut off the breaker instead where the dryer is connected.
2. Wait for one to five minutes before plugging it back in.
3. Open and close the door of the dryer about six times in 12 seconds.

This should be enough to reboot your dryer as attested to by Kenmore Elite owners. Meanwhile, other dryers have a reset button that can be found on their control panel. This makes the process much simpler.

Is Sears appliance repair service still in business?

Sears is one of America's iconic retailers. It is where we shopped for tools and appliances long before online shopping was a thing. It is also the go-to place for home appliance repair since they provide services for all kinds of machines and devices from different manufacturers, whether big or small.

But the success of e-commerce has pushed this retail store to the brink of bankruptcy and closed a majority of its branches all over the country. This has raised concerns among homeowners about their trusted appliance repair service provider.

But there's no need to worry as Sears has just shifted their platform online. Those who need their quality services can get in touch with them through their website and schedule their preferred time for the in-home repair service.

It can be within the day or the following day, depending on the service providers' availability in your area. They also still offer replacement parts and accessories for various brands, models, and makes if ever you need them.

And the best part is that you can tap them to do the repair whether you bought your home appliance in a Sears store or not. Their service is also available anywhere in the country.

Sears is still your friendly neighborhood repairman all this time. They still have teams of expert technicians based in different parts of the country who can get the job done effectively and efficiently.

Final Thoughts

If your Kenmore Elite dryer won't start, check the condition of each part to identify the cause of the problem. Once you've determined the defective component, have it replaced by a technician so that you can enjoy the convenience of your dryer once again.

For more resources about troubleshooting dryers, you may visit the following links:

Amana Dryer Won’t Start – What To Do?

Dryer Won’t Start But Has Power – What To Do?