Nothing frustrates more than pressing start, only to realize that your Maytag Centennial dryer won’t start. But frustrations aside, why won’t your Maytag Centennial dryer start?
Your Maytag Centennial dryer won’t start because of a power issue, unlatched door, wrong cycle setting, or unresponsive start button. It could also be due to a defective component like the drive belt or the motor.
While one of the above issues could be stopping your Maytag Centennial dryer from starting, we will discuss all the issues and outline the quick fix you should try to bring your dryer back to normal operations.
Let’s get started!
In a rush? Below is a table with all six possible issues ailing your dryer and their quick fixes.
Quick Guide to a Maytag Centennial Dryer That Won’t Start
| – | Probable Reason | Quick Fix |
| 1. | Power Issue | Wait for the power to be back if there is an outage. Ensure you plug the cable into the wall socket and turn the power on. If the thermal fuse, circuit breaker, or cord is faulty, replace the faulty one |
| 2. | Unlatched Door | Latch the door correctly, remove any obstructions, or change the door latch if faulty |
| 3. | Wrong Cycle Setting | Deactivate child lock, Heavy Duty, and Wrinkle Reduction settings. |
| 4. | Failed Start Button | Press the start button firmly for 2 – 5 seconds. Test the start switch continuity, and if faulty, replace it |
| 5. | Worn Out Belt | First, check the belt for looseness and damage and replace it if worn out. If the belt switch lacks continuity, replace it too |
| 6. | Dead Drive Motor | Replace the motor if faulty |
6 Reasons Why Your Maytag Centennial Dryer Won’t Start
Below are the six reasons why your Maytag Centennial dryer won’t start:
1. Power Issue
Power is the first thing you must check when your dryer fails to start. Below are the checks to make:
- Power Outage – Sometimes, we think the dryer has a problem when it won’t start. However, in most cases, the cause for a non-starting dryer could be due to an outage.
- Socket Off — It’s good to note that most Maytag Centennial dryers have a switch you need to flip for the dryer to turn on. Other newer models have green power lighting showing the dryer receiving power. So, if your dryer doesn’t start, you could have forgotten to turn the socket on.
- Extension Cord – Another reason your dryer isn’t receiving power when there’s power is that you are using an extension cord. The drawback of extension cords, however, is that it does not transmit enough voltage your dryer needs to turn on.
- Faulty Socket – A faulty socket is another check hindering your dryer from starting. When the socket supplying your dryer with power is defective, power won’t reach the dryer, and it won’t start.
- Unplugged Cable – If you use the socket for plugging other appliances like the washer, it could be that you forgot to plug your dryer cable into the wall socket, and that’s why it won’t start.
- Blown Thermal Fuse – When there’s a power surge, the thermal fuse sacrifices itself for your dryer. So, if it blows up, your dryer won’t turn on.
- Tripped Breaker – The breaker trips when there is an overvoltage (power surge), and it stops your dryer from starting.
- Faulty Power Cord – No voltage reaches the dryer when the power cord is defective.
Quick Fix
Wait for power to be back in case of an outage, don’t plug the dryer cable into the extension, and ensure you plug the cord firmly into the wall socket and turn it on.
If the issue lies on a tripped breaker, thermal fuse, or power cord, test them for continuity and replace the faulty part.
2. Unlatched Door
If the door latch is not engaged completely, your Centennial dryer won’t start. So, even if you press the start button several times, it will be all in vain.
The latch secures the door in each drying cycle, communicating with the start switch to start the cycle. So, if the door isn’t latching all through, the start switch won’t receive any command, and the cycle won’t start.
But what makes your dryer door not shut as it should? Three things have a say here – obstructions, a faulty latch, or loose hinges. When loading the dryer, there’s a possibility of leaving loose clothes hanging around the door.
Also, the door latch may break or wear out naturally, causing the door not to close entirely. If that’s not the case, the reason could be that the hinges at the door are loose, thus hindering the door from latching correctly.
Quick Fix
Open the door and remove any loose clothing hanging outside the dryer. You can also offload the dryer and load it again. Also, test the door latch continuity using a multimeter and replace it if faulty. If the cause is loose hinges, tighten them using a screwdriver.
3. Wrong Cycle Setting
Check the settings if your Centennial dryer lights up but won’t start. Maybe the setting selected is stopping your dryer from starting.
Some of the settings making your dryer not to start include:
- Wrong Cycle – If you have selected the wrong cycle, your dryer won’t start. With a wrong cycle, I mean a cycle not suitable for your laundry load. For example, if you choose Heavy Duty while drying delicate laundry, your dryer won’t start. Also, a setting like Wrinkle Reduction delays your dryer from starting.
- Child Lock – If the child lock or what most people know as locked control is active, your dryer won’t start. Child lock temporarily deactivates all the panel’s controls, including the start cycle.
Also, note that the control panel is one of the most sensitive parts of your dryer. If you touch the panel with wet hands, there’s the likelihood that your dryer may fail to start.
Quick Fix
Deactivate Heavy Duty and Wrinkle Reduction Setting. Also, disable the child lock and dry your hands before touching the control panel.
4. Failed Start Button
Press the start button for approximately 2 – 5 seconds when starting your dryer. This allows enough time for your motor to be engaged and your dryer to operate. So, if you are tapping the button and not engaging it well enough, your dryer won’t start.
Another likely cause of an unresponsive start button is touching it with wet fingers. You should know that your dryer’s control panel is sensitive, and moisture causes it to be non-responsive.
But what if your finger is dry and you press the start button for 2 -5 seconds, but the dryer won’t start?
If so, then investigate the start switch. The switch is located just behind the start button, sending a message to the dryer to start the cycle through its electrical connections. When the switch is faulty, it prevents the motor from starting, and thus, your dryer won’t run.
Quick Fix
Press the start button for 2 – 5 seconds with a dry finger. Also, test the start switch continuity and replace it if it lacks continuity.
5. Defective Belt
Once you notice that your dryer has power but won’t tumble, it’s a good idea to turn to the dryer belt. The belt is a vital dryer component that connects the drive motor and turns when drying clothes,
In most cases, the belt loosens due to the dryer vibrations or weakens over time. When this happens, its switch (the belt switch) will turn the dryer off to protect the dryer from harmful damage. Sometimes, the switch fails, and when it does, your washer won’t start the cycle.
Quick Fix
Inspect the belt for wear or damage and replace it if worn out. Also, check the belt switch for continuity using a multimeter and replace it if defective.
6. Dead Drive Motor
Another dryer component that has a say when it won’t start is the motor. The motor rotates the pulley, which causes the drum to spin. But it must receive power before the motor can start a drying cycle.
However, this isn’t usually the case with a dead motor. When the motor is bad or defective, usually due to overworking, overheating, or natural wear, it won’t receive power, and your dryer won’t start.
But since replacing the motor is expensive, I would advise you to do all the tests above, and replacing the motor should be considered your last resort.
Quick Fix
Remove the dead motor from the front of your dryer and replace it with a new one. When buying a replacement, ensure you get the exact part number as your old model.
Maytag Centennial Dryer Hums But Won’t Start
Your Maytag Centennial dryer hums but won’t start due to a faulty component that includes:
- Defective drive belt or belt switch
- Dead drive motor
- Faulty start button or start switch
- Defective door latch
Quick Fix
Besides the door latch, test the continuity of each component using a multimeter and replace the defective one. As for the door latch, replace it if it’s broken.
Maytag Centennial Dryer Has Power But Won’t Start
Is your Maytag Centennial dryer light on but won’t start? Well, the issue could be:
- Unresponsive start button
- Wrong cycle setting
- Active child lock
- Faulty door switch
- Worn-out belt or belt switch
- Blown thermal fuse or faulty motor
Quick Fix
Press the start button firmly, deactivate the child lock, set the correct cycle, and replace a faulty door switch, belt (or belt switch), thermal fuse, or motor if they lack continuity.
Maytag Centennial Dryer Clicks But Won’t Start
Once you turn on your Centennial dryer, it may make a clicking sound but fail to start due to the following:
- Unresponsive start button
- Faulty door switch
- Worn-out drive belt (belt switch)
- Blown thermal fuse
- Faulty motor
- Defective control board
- Faulty timer
Quick Fix
Check all the components and replace the faulty ones.
People Also Ask
1. Why Is My Maytag Centennial Dryer Not Starting?
Your Maytag Centennial dryer fails to start due to an unresponsive start button, wrong setting selection, power problem, or unlatching door. It could also be due to a defective component, including the drive belt or motor.
2. Where Is the Reset Button On a Maytag Centennial Dryer?
Most Maytag dryers have a dedicated reset button allowing you to reset it hassle-free to its factory setting. Check it on your dryer control panel with other dryer buttons. If you can’t find it, consult your manual.
If your Centennial dryer has no reset button, unplug the dryer from the wall socket or turn off the circuit breaker. Please wait for 30 minutes before plugging it back or turning the breaker on.
Concluding Thoughts on a Maytag Centennial Dryer That Won’t Start:
If your Maytag Centennial dryer won’t start, the issue could be due to a power problem, an unlatched door, a wrong cycle setting, or a failed component that includes the start button, dryer belt (or the belt switch), and the drive motor.
You can use the above guide to troubleshoot the issues DIY and let it be within your reach the next time your Centennial dryer fails to start.