You expect your Maytag Bravos dryer to start running as soon as you plug it into the power and hit start. But let’s face it, sometimes a Maytag Bravos dryer won’t start, and you must figure out why quickly if you want to use it.
A Maytag Bravos dryer won’t start for reasons like a non-engaged or faulty start switch, lack of power, an error code, locked controls, an improperly latched door, an incorrect setting, or part failure.
Concerning part failure, the failed component could be the motor, drive belt, timer, idler pulley, or control board. However, consider the control board last as it’s the least likely to fail compared to the others.
Note that a non-starting Maytag Bravos dryer is not the same as an option that won’t turn on. Your dryer may still turn on but fail to start. When speaking of the dryer starting, we are talking about it running.
Now that it’s clear, let’s discuss those issues that would prevent your dryer from starting or running.
In a rush? Then consider the seven issues shared below and their troubleshooting:
Quick Troubleshooting Guide for a Non-Starting Maytag Bravos Dryer
| – | Likely Cause | Recommended Fix |
| 1. | Non-Engaged or Faulty Start Switch | Hold the start button briefly (2-3 seconds) to start the dryer. Replace the start switch if it has no continuity. |
| 2. | Lack of Power | Ensure the dryer is plugged into the wall socket firmly and turned on. Reset a tripped breaker and replace a defective thermal fuse, socket, or power plug |
| 3. | Error Code | Reset the dryer to clear the error code |
| 4. | Locked Controls | Inactivate Control Lock |
| 5. | Improperly Latched Door | Properly shut the door and replace a defective door switch |
| 6. | Incorrect Setting | Match the wet clothes with the right dryer setting |
| 7. | Part Failure | Replace a faulty motor, drive belt, timer, idler pulley, or control board |
7 Reasons Maytag Bravos Dryer Won’t Start
Consider these seven issues when your Maytag Bravos dryer won’t start:
1. The Start Switch is Non-Engaged or Faulty
Ideally, you should press down the dryer’s start switch for at least 3 seconds to engage it. You cannot tap it and expect the dryer to start right away. It won’t, compelling you to assume something is wrong with your appliance when it’s okay.
But again, sometimes the start switch may be defective, perhaps broken. If so, it won’t start the dryer, no matter how long you press it.
Fix
Ensure you hold down the start switch for at least 3 seconds. If it doesn’t start the dryer after that, check if it’s faulty. One best way to do it is to use a multimeter. If the switch lacks continuity, that’s a sign that it’s defective, and you should therefore replace it.
2. The Dryer Lacks Power
Is your dryer turned on? If it’s not, then it won’t start. The dryer needs the power to run, and that’s why you should consider any of these issues:
- Possible blackout – If there is a blackout, none of the electrical appliances and fixtures, including the dryer, will work.
- Loose or defective power plug – If the dryer is unplugged or the power cable is faulty, the dryer won’t get any power and will not start.
- Extension cord – You shouldn’t use an extension cord on a dryer as it interferes with its power supply. You should instead plug the appliance into the wall socket.
- Failure to turn on the dryer – You cannot expect the dryer to turn on if you don’t press the power switch, and in the case of the socket, it has to be on as well.
- Tripped breaker – During a power surge, the circuit breaker may trip to protect the appliance from overheating. Once that happens, the tripped breaker disrupts the dryer’s power supply and running.
- Defective thermal fuse – The thermal fuse blows up during an electrical power surge to protect the dryer. But just like a tripped breaker, it cuts off the dryer’s power, making it hard to start.
- Blown socket – The socket could have blown up, thus defective. Once that’s the case, the dryer won’t start.
- Defective power plug – Don’t forget to check the power plug. It could be damaged, thus unable to pass power from the socket to the dryer.
Fix
You’ve to wait for the power in case of a blackout. However, if it’s no blackout, ensure your Bravos dryer is plugged into the wall socket (not the extension cord) and turned on.
If the breaker is tripped or OFF, reset it and use a multimeter to check if the thermal fuse, socket, and power plug have continuity. If they don’t (which indicates they are faulty), replace them.
3. Presence of an Error Code
Some error codes can stop the Bravos dryer from starting until you clear them. That includes the following:
- PF (Power Failure)
- F01 (control board failure)
- L2 (low/no voltage)
Fix
Consider resetting your Maytag Bravos dryer to clear these error codes. But if you can’t do it, call an expert. Overall, the easiest way to reset a Maytag Bravos dryer is to unplug it for 30 minutes.
4. The Control Panel is Locked
Is the Control Lock feature on? If yes, then that’s the reason your Bravos dryer won’t start. This safety feature disables the dryer’s control panel, and since the start switch is part of its control, it doesn’t engage.
This feature aims to keep kids off the dryer and prevent the dryer from starting unintended. You should, however, deactivate it when planning to use the dryer.
Fix
Inactivate Control Lock if it’s enabled. The easiest way is to long-press the icon until it goes off. Alternatively, reset the dryer (unplug it briefly).
5. The Dryer Door is Improperly Latched
A Maytag Bravos dryer won’t start if it perceives the door as open. It could be that the door is only slightly open because you didn’t firmly latch it, or perhaps a piece of cloth obstructs it.
In some worst cases, it could be the effective door switch. In such a case, it doesn’t engage the door lock.
Fix
Check if anything is obstructing the dryer door and remove it. Then try to shut the dryer door firmly, and if it still doesn’t close, check with a multimeter if the door switch has continuity. If it doesn’t (a sign of fault), replace it.
6. You Are Using the Wrong Setting
Sometimes it takes a guiltless blunder like selecting the wrong setting to stop the Maytag Bravos dryer from starting. For example, Maytag Bravos have auto-sensing settings like Auto Dry and Timed-Dry, which may delay the dryer from starting immediately.
Fix
Ensure you pick the right dryer setting, preferably a Normal Cycle, Auto-Dry or Timed-Dry is on.
7. Possible Part Failure
Lastly, your Maytag dryer might not start because of a defective component. The component, in this case, could be any of the following:
- Drive motor – If the drive motor doesn’t turn, the drive belt will also not turn, which means the drum won’t spin.
- Drive belt – If the drive belt is broken, it will prevent the drum from spinning, and so your dryer won’t start.
- Timer – If the timer malfunctions, it won’t engage the control board to run; consequently, the dryer won’t start.
- Idler puller – A defective idler puller cannot secure the drive belt. So, the drive belt will slip off often and, thus, unable to turn the drum, which stops the dryer from starting.
- Control board – Once the control board fails, all of the dryer’s functions are impaired, including the ability to run.
Fix
Consider replacing the drive motor, belt, timer, idler pulley, or control board (as the last option). But if you have an issue checking the components, ask for an expert’s help.
Maytag Bravos Dryer Turns On But Won’t Start
As mentioned earlier, a dryer can turn on but fail to start. That means that the dryer has power but won’t run and here are the likely causes:
- Unengaged or defective start button
- Active control lock, which disables the control panel and start button
- Wrong cycle selection
- Improperly latched door or bad door switch
- Faulty or broken belt, idler pulley, or drive belt
Maytag Bravos Dryer Won’t Start Just Beeps
A Maytag Bravos dryer may beep but fail to start. Often, that happens due to power disruption in the form of a blown-up outlet, burnt thermal fuse, defective power cord, or tripped breaker.
If that’s not it, then it could be an unlatched door. The door might be open due to an obstruction or defective door switch.
Maytag Bravos Dryer Clicks But Won’t Start
If your Maytag Bravos dryer won’t start just clicks, it’s more likely because of a faulty start button or door switch. You can check if either switch is faulty using a multimeter.
The other possible causes include a defective idler pulley and a power surge which can trip the breaker and blow up the thermal fuse.
People Also Ask
1. Why Won’t My Maytag Bravos Dryer Turn On?
Your Maytag Bravos dryer won’t turn on because it lacks power. The reason could be an unplugged unit, tripped breaker, defective socket, or blown-up fuse. It could also be that you are using an extension cord when you should plug it into the wall outlet.
2. What Would Cause a Maytag Dryer Not to Start?
Several issues could cause the Maytag dryer not to start. It could be that the dryer has no power, the Control Lock feature is active, the door is open, or there’s an error code. Don’t forget to check the dryer setting to ensure you use the correct one.
3. Why Won’t My Maytag Dryer Start But Has Power?
Sometimes a Maytag dryer may fail to start even when it has power. That often happens due to the Child Lock, the wrong dryer setting, an unlatched door, or a non-engaged start button.
In that case, you’ve to disable Child Lock, choose the correct setting, shut the door, and press the start button firmly for a few seconds to start the dryer.
4. How Should I Reset a Maytag Bravos Dryer?
You can reset a Maytag Bravos by unplugging it for at least 30 minutes. Alternatively, turn off its power breaker for the same spell and restart the appliance.
Closing Remarks
As shared, your Maytag Bravos dryer won’t start for different reasons, and if the dryer doesn’t start, it won’t heat or dry clothes. The issue could be with the start button, power supply, control panel, dryer door, settings, error code, or parts like the motor, drive belt, timer, idler pulley, or control board.
In that case, ensure the start button is working, the dryer has power, the dryer door is appropriately latched, there is no error code, and you are using the correct setting. And if any of those parts are defective, replace them.