So, you just transferred your wet laundry from the washer to your Maytag dryer. Suddenly you realize that the dryer won’t start and cannot explain the Maytag dryer troubleshooting won’t start.
Your Maytag dryer won’t start due to a lack of power, a non-working start switch, a wrong setting, an error code, an unfastened door, a non-responsive control panel, or component failure.
Considering the last issue (component failure), the component in question could be the drive motor, timer, dryer belt, idler pulley, or main control board. If any of these components fail, the dryer may refuse to start.
Sometimes, a Maytag dryer will turn on and fail to start. At other times, the dryer’s lack of power could be why it won’t start. So, you’ve to differentiate these two cases, and I’ll help you do that.
Let’s jump into it!
In a hurry? Below is a quick troubleshooting guide for a non-starting Maytag dryer:
Maytag Dryer Troubleshooting Won’t Start – Quick Guide
| Likely Cause | Fix | |
| 1. | Lack of Power | Find why your dryer won’t turn on and fix the power issue |
| 2. | Non-Working Start Switch | Hold down the start switch for at least 3 seconds, and if it lacks continuity, replace it |
| 3. | Wrong Setting | Choose the right setting, possibly a Normal Cycle |
| 4. | Error Code | Clear the error code with a dryer reset |
| 5. | Unfastened Dryer Door | Properly fasten the dryer door – replace a defective door switch |
| 6. | Unresponsive Control Panel | Don’t scratch the control panel with your fingernails or touch it with wet or filthy fingers |
| 7. | Component Failure | Replace the drive motor, timer, dryer belt, idler pulley, or main control board if it’s defective |
Why Is My Maytag Dryer Not Starting?
Your Maytag dryer won’t start due to these seven issues, which are discussed below:
- Lack of power
- A non-working start switch – either the start switch is disengaged or just faulty
- A wrong setting such as Control Lock, Timed-Dry, or Wrinkle Reduction
- An error code such as PF, L2, or F01
- Unfastened dryer door
- A non-responsive control panel
- A failed component, especially the drive motor, timer, dryer belt, idler pulley, or main control board
Maytag Dryer Won’t Start Lights Off
If your Maytag dryer won’t start and its lights are off, that suggests a lack of power. In such a case, try to find out why your dryer doesn’t have power, and that brings us to these possibilities:
- There could be an outage, and in such a case, no appliance will work – not even light fixtures
- The dryer could be unplugged or just loosely fixed into the power outlet
- You might have failed to turn on the dryer’s power switch
- You are using the extension cord to power the dryer instead of plugging it into the wall socket
- The circuit breaker is OFF – it could have tripped off due to a power surge
- The power cord could be defective
Fix
In case there’s an outage, wait for the electricity restoration. But if there’s power, firmly plug in the dryer and turn it on.
Regarding plugging the dryer, ensure you plug it into the wall socket, not the extension cord. While at it, test the power plug and the socket with a multimeter to determine if they have continuity. If they don’t, replace them.
And lastly, reset the breaker if you find it off.
Maytag Dryer Won’t Start But Light Is On
Sometimes the dryer may have power, which you can tell from its indicator lights, and fail to start. In such a case, it could be due to any of these reasons:
1. Maytag Dryer Start Button Not Working
If the start button doesn’t work, the dryer won’t start. You need it to engage the dryer and kick-start its running. For one, you should not tap the start button. Instead, you should hold it down for at least 3 seconds to engage it.
But still, you may do that and fail to start the dryer if the start button itself is faulty. That means you need to inspect it for damage or fault.
Fix
Ensure you first hold down the start button for at least 3 seconds. If the dryer doesn’t start, check its continuity with a multimeter. If it doesn’t have any, replace it.
2. Wrong Setting
Your Maytag dryer may also fail to start because of an incorrect setting. That includes these three:
- Control Lock – This safety feature locks the control panel alongside the start switch to stop the dryer from running.
- Timed Dry – The dryer will only start at a specific time when the Timed-Dry setting is on. So, there will be a delayed start, but that doesn’t mean the dryer is faulty.
- Wrinkle Reduction – The dryer may also delay starting when the Wrinkle Reduction setting is active.
Fix
Ensure you select the right Maytag dryer setting. And if Control Lock, Timed-Dry, or Wrinkle Reduction is on, deactivate it using your manual. If you cannot find the disabling instructions, reset the dryer by pressing ‘Reset’ or pulling it out of the wall socket.
3. Error Code
An error code like PF (for Power Failure) or L2 (for Low Voltage) may stop a Maytag dryer from starting when they pop up. The same goes for the F01 (for control board fault). So, check if that’s the case.
Fix
You can clear L2, PF, or F01 by resetting the dryer. Check if the dryer has the reset button and press it. But if it doesn’t, just pull it out of the power outlet for at least a minute.
4. Unfastened Door
If the dryer door is not well fastened, the dryer may see it as open and fail to start. So, it’s worth confirming as you might sometimes forget to latch it firmly.
At other times, the dryer door won’t shut because of a defective door switch
Fix
Try to fasten the dryer door; if it doesn’t, test the door switch with a multimeter. If it has no continuity, replace it.
5. Non-Responsive Control Panel
The dryer may also fail to start if you scratch or touch the control panel with wet or dirty hands. In such cases, the control panel becomes non-responsive, and given that the start button is part of it, the dryer won’t start when you hit start.
Fix
Ensure you don’t scratch the control panel with your fingernails. Just use the fingertip to press the start button. Meanwhile, ensure your fingers are clean and dry, and wipe the control panel dry and clean before touching it.
6. Component Failure
Consider that your Maytag dryer is not starting because of a failed component. That includes one of the following:
- Drive motor – If the drive motor fails, it won’t turn the belt, and the belt won’t turn the drum, and as a result, the dryer won’t start.
- Timer – A defective timer will fail to send the correct signal to the dryer’s control board and, consequently, fail to start.
- Dryer belt – As I hinted earlier, a broken drive belt will fail to turn the drum, stopping the dryer from running.
- Idler pulley – The idler pulley has the same effect as the drive belt. Once it breaks, it’s unable to turn the drum, and the dryer will, as a result, fail to start.
- Main control board – Nothing works when the control board fails. So, the dryer won’t start.
Fix
Replace any of the above five dryer components that are faulty. You may need to approach a dryer expert to ensure you replace the correct part.
Other Issues
Maytag Gas Dryer Troubleshooting Won’t Start
Your Maytag gas dryer may fail to start due to one of these issues:
- Failed gas supply – Perhaps the gas supply tube is kinked and thus preventing gas flow to the dryer, or maybe you forgot to turn on the gas supply valve
- Wrongly pressed start button – You have to hold down the start switch for a while (about 3 seconds) to engage the dryer to start
- Broken start switch – The start switch might not be working because it’s broken, and in such a case, it needs a replacement
- Tripped breaker – The power breaker might be off, thus stopping the dryer’s power supply
- Wrong setting – It’s also imperative to check your gas dryer’s setting as a wrong cycle could stop it from starting
Maytag Front Load Dryer Won’t Start- Troubleshooting
If you have a front-load Maytag dryer that won’t start, it could be because it lacks power. You can tell if that’s the case if the dryer won’t turn on and its lights are off. But if the dryer has power, you should look at other possibilities.
For one, it could be that the door is not entirely shut. So, you should inspect it and try to latch it firmly. It could also be that an error code stops the dryer from starting, which you can clear with a dryer reset.
And if that’s not it, it could be that the control panel is locked (duet to Control Lock) or non-responsive due to touching it with filthy or wet hands or scratching it with fingernails.
People Also Ask
1. Why Is My Maytag Dryer Not Starting But Has Power?
Your Maytag dryer has power but won’t start due to one of these reasons:
- You haven’t held down the start switch long enough (at least 3 seconds)
- The start switch is defective and is therefore unable to run the dryer
- There is an error code that’s stopping the dryer from running
- The dryer’s door is open or not firmly latched
- Control Lock is enabled, thus locking the start button
2. Why Isn’t My Maytag Dryer Working?
Your Maytag Dryer is not working because it doesn’t have power. If there’s power, the control panel could be locked, and you can tell if that’s the case if the Control Lock signal is showing.
And if it’s none of those two, it could be due to a failed component such as the drive motor, main control board, or timer.
3. Why Does My Dryer Turn On But Won’t Start?
Your dryer turns on but won’t start because of a non-power-related issue. It could be that Control Lock is active, there’s an error code, the dryer door is slightly open, or you are using an incorrect setting. But still, it could be that you haven’t pressed the start button for at least 3 seconds, or the start switch itself is defective.
4. What Causes a Dryer to Stop Turning On?
Several issues could cause a dryer to stop turning on, but they mainly relate to a failed power supply. There could be no power, or the dryer is unplugged, loosely plugged, not turned on, or plugged into an extension instead of a wall power outlet. So, go through all these checks to determine why your dyer won’t turn on.
Closing Remarks On Maytag Dryer Troubleshooting Won’t Start:
Now you know what to check when your Maytag dryer won’t start and how to troubleshoot it effectively. It begins by first identifying whether the dryer has power or not. If it’s the latter, you only need to look at a few things to ensure the dryer turns on.
However, if it has power but won’t start, you may have to consider a disengaged start button or dryer door, a wrong setting, an error code, a non-responsive control panel, or a failed component.
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