Is the Maytag dryer start button not working, and are you considering a service check? Perhaps you shouldn’t pick up the phone just yet – not until I walk you through the likely reasons, as they are commonly DIY-fixable.
Your Maytag dryer start button doesn’t work because it’s unengaged or due to lack of power, a partly latched door, Control Lock, an error code, a non-responsive control panel, a damaged start switch, or a defective component.
The defective component in such a case could be the drive motor, dryer belt, or main control board. Hence, there are ideally eight issues worth considering, and apart from the last part (defective main control board), which may require expert input, you can handle the rest.
This troubleshooting guide shall enable you to check all these issues and take the right action once you identify the most likely cause. I’ll take you through an 8-step guide to help you do that.
Let’s jump into it!
In a hurry? Then consider the troubleshooting tips shared in the table below.
Quick Troubleshooting Guide for a Maytag Dryer Start Button Not Working
| Likely Cause | Applicable Fix | |
| 1. | Unengaged Start Button | Hold down the start switch for 2-5 seconds |
| 2. | Lack of Power | Ensure the dryer turns on (has power) |
| 3. | Partly Latched Door | Firmly latch the dryer door |
| 4. | Active Control Lock | Disable Control Lock |
| 5. | Error Code | Reset the dryer |
| 6. | Non-Responsive Control Panel | Wipe the control panel clean/dry |
| 7. | Damaged Start Switch | Replace the start switch if it has no continuity |
| 8. | Defective Component (Motor, Belt, or Main Control Board) | Replace the faulty component. A dryer expert can help here. |
How Do I Fix the Start Button On My Maytag Dryer?
Before we can look at how you can fix a non-responsive start button, let’s recap the issues that could be responsible for the fault.
Generally, the start button on your Maytag dryer won’t work because of these eight reasons:
- An unengaged start button – that’s failing to press down the start button long enough
- Lack of power
- An incompletely latched door
- Active Control Lock
- An error code
- Non-responsive control panel
- Damaged start switch
- A defective component – especially the drive motor, dryer belt, or main control board
Now that the reasons are clear, here’s how to fix the start button on a Maytag dryer:
Step 1 – Hold Down the Start Button Long Enough
You cannot just tap the start switch and expect to engage the dryer and start it. It takes about 2-5 seconds to hold down the start switch. So, do that and wait to see if the dryer will start.
Step 2 – Check Your Dryer’s Power Supply (Ensure The Dryer Has Power)
If the dryer doesn’t start after holding down the start switch, it could be because it lacks power. In such a case, consider these checks and fixes:
- Check if the dryer has been turned on and turn it on if that’s not the case
- Check if the power plug is loose and firmly fit it
- Examine at the breaker box to tell if the breaker is tripped and reset it
- Inspect the fuse for signs of burns and replace it
- Plug into the wall outlet if you are using an extension cord
- Plug another (working) appliance into the wall socket, and if it doesn’t work, replace the socket
Step 3 – Check The Dryer Door (Ensure It Is Firmly Shut)
Once you establish that your dryer has power, the next thing to check is the dryer door. It has to be firmly latched. So, inspect it.
Check if dirt or clothes are obstructing it from shutting completely, and remove them. And if there is none and the door still won’t close, check if the door latch is broken and replace it.
Step 4 – Disable Control Lock If It’s On
The Control Lock prevents the start button from engaging the dryer. So, if it’s active, you need to disable it. Hold the ‘End-of-Cycle’ or the Control Lock switch for a few seconds. Alternatively, reset the dryer (by pulling it out of the power)
Step 5 – Reset Error Codes
If there are error codes that you cannot understand, try to clear them by resetting the dryer (pull the dryer from the power for at least 1 minute).
If the error code doesn’t go, search it online to see if it could be pointing to an issue with your dryer and try to fix it.
Step 6 – Wipe-Dry the Control Panel
The control panel is non-responsive when you touch it with wet or filthy hands. So you may need to wipe it clean and dry and ensure you wash and dry your hands before touching it.
Remember, you are doing that because the start switch is part of the control panel, and the start button won’t work if the control panel doesn’t work.
Step 7 – Maytag Dryer Start Button Replacement
Sometimes the problem is the start button. Thus, inspect it for fault, and you need a multimeter to do this. Connect the start switch to the multimeter to see if it has electrical continuity. If it doesn’t (a sign it’s faulty), replace it.
Here’s how to replace start switch on Maytag dryer:
- Pull out the dryer from the power and create enough working clearance
- Pull out the control knob
- Unscrew the rear panel to expose the start witch
- Release the start switch – loosen any attached wiring
- Install the new start switch (View on Amazon)
- Reattach the rear panel
- Refit the control knob and restore the power
Step 8 – Check Other Components (Drive Belt, Motor, and Control Board)
Lastly, consider checking the drive belt, drive motor, and control board in that order for fault. It could be that one of them is no longer working, thus preventing the dryer from starting.
You can tell if the drive belt is faulty or broken. In that case, replace it. You can also tell if the drive motor is defective if it won’t turn, and in the case of the control board, call for expert help as it’s easy to misdiagnose the control board.
Replace the drive motor or control board if any of them is defective.
Maytag Bravos Xl Dryer Start Button Not Working
A Maytag Bravos XL dryer’s start button might fail to start the dryer due to different reasons. Sometimes the issue is failing to hold the start button for a reasonable time (2-5 seconds).
At other times, the dryer lacks power, the Control Lock is on, the dryer door is not firmly shut, or there’s an error code. And if that’s not it, it could be that you are touching the control panel with wet or filthy hands, and thus the control panel has become non-responsive.
And if it’s none of those issues, then you could be looking at a fault. It could be that the start button itself or components like the dryer belt, drive motor, or main control board could be defective.
Maytag Neptune Dryer Start Button Not Working
If your Maytag Neptune dryer doesn’t start upon pressing start, you could haven’t pressed the start button long enough. In that case, try to push it for 2-5 seconds.
While at it, ensure your Neptune dryer has power and disable Control Lock if it’s active. Meanwhile, reset the dryer if there’s an error code, and avoid touching the control panel with either filthy or dirty hands.
But if you can’t find the fault, the start button, drive motor, belt, or main control board could be defective.
Maytag Gas Dryer Start Button Not Working
The chances are that your Maytag gas dryer lacks a gas supply if it doesn’t start when you press start. In such a case, check the gas shut-off valve to ensure it’s open.
If it’s not a gas failure, ensure Control Lock is off and reset the dryer to eliminate any error code. Remember to wipe your hands clean and dry before touching the control panel. Call a dryer expert if you cannot start the dryer.
Maytag Centennial Dryer Start Button Not Working
A non-working Maytag Centennial dryer start button can point to different issues. First, it could be that the dryer lacks power, there’s an error code, the Control Lock is on, or the door won’t latch.
Thus, ensure your Centennial dryer has power, reset it to clear any error code, disable Control Lock, and correctly latch the door if it’s slightly open.
Other issues point to a fault, such as a broken start switch, drive belt, or a non-working dryer motor or main control board. In such cases, a replacement is necessary.
People Also Ask
1. What Causes a Start Button Not to Work On Dryer?
Several issues could cause a start button not to work on a dryer. They include:
- Failing to press down the start switch for at least 2 seconds
- A defective start switch
- Active control lock
- A non-responsive control panel
- Lack of power
- An error code
- A defective component, such as the drive belt, motor, or main control board
2. Why Won’t My Maytag Dryer Turn On?
Your Maytag dryer won’t turn on because it lacks adequate power. It could be that there has been a recent power blackout or power failure. It could also be a power surge that has blown up the thermal fuse or tripped the power breaker.
But still, it could be that the dryer is off, unplugged, or plugged into a faulty socket or extension cord instead of a working wall outlet.
3. How Can I Know If a Dryer Start Switch Is Bad?
Examining your dryer’s start switch with a multimeter lets you know if it is bad. Just connect it to a multimeter to see if it displays any electrical continuity on the multimeter, and if it doesn’t, replace it.
But first, ensure the dryer has power and hold down the start button for at least 2 seconds to see if it’s working.
Concluding Remarks:
Now you know the likely reasons for a Maytag dryer start button not working. It could be that the start button is not well held down for at least 2 seconds, or the issue could be the dryer’s power supply, an open door, locked controls, an error code, a non-responsive control panel, or a defective start button.
And if that’s not it, check if the drive belt, motor, and main control board are working, as one might be faulty. Remember, you may need expert help inspecting the last part (the control board), as it’s possible to misdiagnose it.
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