
As frustrating as it can be, a Maytag dryer that won’t start is often a problem you can fix yourself—especially if you have some basic DIY skills and the right tools. Whether your Maytag dryer won’t turn on at all, turns on but the buttons are unresponsive, or doesn’t spin or heat, this article will explain the potential causes and offer solutions to the problem.
Here’s how to fix a Maytag dryer that won’t start:
Check the outlet voltage and circuit breaker
Most models of electric Maytag dryers require 240 volts to function properly. If your dryer is plugged into a regular 120-volt outlet, it may turn on but won’t start, or at the very least, won’t heat.
Likewise, if it’s plugged into a suitable 240-volt outlet connected to a circuit with two 30-amp breakers, the breaker may have partially tripped, resulting in the dryer only receiving 120 volts and not starting.
You can rule out the power supply as the cause by:
- Checking the dryer is plugged into a suitable 240-volt outlet.
- Resetting the circuit breaker by flipping it off, waiting a few seconds, then flipping it back on.
- Using a multimeter to test the outlet to ensure it reads 240 volts combined.
- Avoiding using an extension cord since they cannot safely carry the required voltage.
Deactivate control lock
The ‘Controls Locked’ or ‘Child Lock’ feature on Maytag dryers prevents unintended use and changing of the dryer’s settings. While activated, the buttons on the control panel will be unresponsive, meaning even if you press to start a cycle, it won’t run. The only responsive button while this safety feature is activated will be the one to deactivate it.
On most Maytag dryers, you can deactivate the control lock by pressing and holding the ‘Control Lock’ or ‘Child Lock’ button for 3 to 5 seconds. It may be a dedicated button or shared with another function like ‘Options’ or ‘Extra Rinse.’
Press and hold the ‘Start’ button
This is a minor issue, but some people quickly tap the start button and wonder why their Maytag dryer isn’t starting. They don’t realize that it’s often required to press and hold the ‘Start’ button for two to five seconds for the motor to engage and the appliance to start. Repeatedly tapping it will not start the appliance. So if you haven’t already, pressing and holding ‘Start’ is worth a try.
Make sure the door is closed properly
Maytag dryers will not start spinning if the door is not closed properly. This is a safety feature that ensures no one is injured by the rapidly spinning drum and that the heat is contained for efficient operation.
Even if the door is partially shut, the dryer won’t run. A dryer door can often look shut, but actually, it’s not, or there’s something caught in the frame or latch that is stopping it from closing properly.
You can often fix door-related causes of a dryer not starting by:
- Opening the door and then closing it again firmly, so it clicks shut.
- Removing any items caught in the door, such as laundry.
- Cleaning any detergent residue or grime buildup around the latch and lock mechanism.
- Repairing or replacing any damaged parts of the door or latch.
Check if the start button is faulty
After trying the above fixes, if your dryer is still not starting, it suggests there may be an issue with one of its components. An obvious culprit worth checking first is the start button.
To see if it’s faulty, you must remove some panels and test the start button assembly with a multimeter. Follow these steps to do so:
- Unplug the dryer for safety.
- Locate the start switch under the control panel on top of the dryer, directly behind the start button.
- Access it by removing the screws securing the control panel and flipping it over, or by removing the back panel on the control panel if possible.
- Disconnect the wires connected to the start switch.
- Set your multimeter to the continuity setting.
- Test the start switch with the multimeter for continuity. Press one multimeter probe on each of the start switch’s terminals. The multimeter should beep when you press the switch.
- If it doesn’t beep, replace it with a new one.
Test the door switch
Next, you’ll want to test the door switch with a multimeter to see if it is faulty. If it is, the dryer may turn on but won’t start. On some Maytag models, the small lever on the door switch is prone to breaking and becoming loose, with many Maytag owners reporting this issue on YouTube and online forums.
Follow these steps to check the door switch:
- Remove the two screws under the lint trap.
- Remove the top panel.
- Locate the door switch near the right front corner, directly below where the top panel was.
- Unscrew the screws securing the door switch assembly. You may need to open the dryer door to do this.
- Disconnect its wire harness.
- Inspect the door switch for damage or loose parts. If any are found, they will need replacing.
- Test the switch with a multimeter to check for continuity.
- If a new switch is required, fit it where the old one was located, securing it with screws and reconnecting the wire harness.
Check if the thermal fuse has blown
If your Maytag dryer overheats, the thermal fuse can blow, preventing your dryer from starting until it’s replaced. Follow these steps to test and replace the thermal fuse:
- Unplug the dryer for safety.
- Remove the back panel to access the thermal fuse, usually located on the blower housing or exhaust duct. Some Maytag models may require removing additional panels.
- Disconnect the two wires attached to the thermal fuse.
- Test the fuse with a multimeter for continuity.
- If there’s no continuity, replace the fuse with a new one.
However, keep in mind that if the thermal fuse has blown, you will also need to determine what caused it. If the underlying cause is not addressed, the new fuse could blow as well. The most likely causes of a blown thermal fuse include:
- A faulty heating element that’s shorting.
- Ductwork and vent system clogged with lint.
Check the drive belt
Finally, if the drive belt has broken or slipped off the drum, the dryer won’t start properly. It may still turn on and you might hear the motor running when you start a cycle. Sometimes it may even heat up. However, the drum won’t spin as the drive belt is no longer wrapped around it.
Follow these steps to check the drive belt:
- Unplug the dryer.
- Remove the dryer’s top panel and front panel.
- Inspect the drive belt to see if it has snapped, slipped off, or is damaged.
- If damaged (such as split or frayed) or broken, order a new replacement.
- Fit the replacement drive belt, or the undamaged old belt that slipped off, snugly around the drum, motor, and idler pulley.
- Reassemble the dryer and test if it now starts.

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