So, your Samsung dryer won’t cut off? No, your dryer doesn’t need to be featured on the next episode of Haunted Things. It most likely isn’t cursed, so you don’t have to send it to The Warren’s Occult Museum.
The problem that you are probably having with your Samsung dryer is not a spiritual issue. Instead, it’s a very mundane problem that’s an easy fix. You can start by pressing the power button. If that doesn’t work, then turn the circuit breaker off and back on.
Did that solve your problem? If not, here are a few more things that you can do to fix your out-of-control Samsung dryer before calling in an exorcist or trying to purchase a new dryer.
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What Is Happening With Your Dryer
Before delving into solutions for this problem, it is essential to see if we’re on the same page regarding the issue you are facing. So, you washed a load of clothes, and you placed them into the dryer. Whether you put the clothes on a long or short dry cycle, you notice that the dryer has been going for longer than the times that you may have set it for. That’s the first oddity. The next is that you open the dryer door to check on your clothes, only to find that they are dry, but the dryer didn’t stop spinning you opened it. If it did shut off, maybe once you close the door, the dryer starts back up on its own without you resetting it. Does this sound like the problem that you are having with your Samsung dryer?
Why The Dryer Won’t Cut Off
You don’t want your clothes to scorch, nor do you want unnecessarily high energy bills from a dryer that won’t stop spinning for several hours. Therefore, you are going to have to get to the bottom of this quickly. If your dryer isn’t cutting off, here is what may be the problem.
If your dryer doesn’t cut off, there could be a myriad of issues causing this problem. In most instances, parts of your dryer will need to be replaced. Below are some things that you can do to get the ball rolling on fixing your Samsung dryer.
Check to See If Wrinkle Prevent On
One reason why your dryer won’t cut off may not be a problem at all. Some dryer companies know that many people don’t remove their clothes from the dryer right after it shuts off. As a result, clothes sitting in the dryer for a substantial time after a cycle can cause the clothes to wrinkle. To prevent or minimize this, dryer companies like Samsung invented a cycle for the dryer that keeps your clothes from getting wrinkled called wrinkle prevent.
After the normal cycle for your clothes shuts off, the wrinkle prevent cycle will turn on and last anywhere from about 90 minutes to 180 minutes. During this time, there is no heat. Instead, the drum is simply rotating to keep the clothes moving around and avoid wrinkles. You can take the clothes out of the dryer during the wrinkle prevent cycle, but the dryer should stop once you open the door.
If you or someone in your family activated this mode, then you can simply deactivate it so that the dryer shuts off when your normal cycle finishes. When wrinkle prevent is enabled, you will typically see a light above the button indicating that it is activated. If you want to turn it off or on, simply press the button. This is a simple and easy fix. However, if your Samsung dryer still gives you problems, then the issue may be more complicated.
Clean the Moisture Sensor
Another nifty thing that dryer companies like Samsung created to make dryers more energy-efficient is adding something called a moisture sensor. Once the moisture sensors no longer detect moisture in clothes, the dryer will shut off without waiting for the cycle to end. This prevents clothes from over-drying and will also save on your energy bills.
Like the wrinkle prevent, this technology is meant to help, particularly when you are forgetful about leaving items in the dryer. However, there are times when technology can get confused, too. For example, if your moisture sensor is not cleaned or damaged, the dryer will have difficulty sensing moisture and will keep running. The easiest way to fix this is to clean the sensors.
First, locate the moisture sensors in the dryer. They are two metal bars in the drum near the lint filter. You can clean these with a slightly soapy, damp towel followed by wiping them with a dry towel. Another way to clean these is to use rubbing alcohol.
If cleaning them doesn’t fix the problem, then the sensors have probably gone bad. In this case, the moisture sensors will need to be replaced. Since this is rarely the actual problem, you should troubleshoot other things first.
Switch Out the Dryer Timer
The dryer timer is one of the significant components of a dryer. It controls many aspects of the dryer, especially the power. The timer also controls the dryer and the timer motor. So, if this is damaged or worn, then this may be the primary cause of why your dryer is not cutting off as it should.
When these go bad, the best thing to do is to order a new part. Once you determine what your model number is, you can order the proper timer for your piece. Although the piece may be generic, it shouldn’t look too different from the piece currently installed. Otherwise, the part may not be the right one.
One of the most important things you can do before replacing the dryer part is to unplug it. It is also a good idea to turn the circuit breaker off as another precaution to avoid electrocution. Also, if you have a gas dryer, you will need to shut off the gas. You will also need proper tools to open the component to get the timer out. You will most likely need a nut driver and needle-nose pliers. A pair of work gloves may also be helpful.
You start by removing the big knob on the front of the dryer and then exposing the dryer section that houses the timer. This is typically located on the top back panel, but it is different for different models. Next, you will need to remove the wires attached to the timer. They are usually color-coded, but to be doubly sure that you reattach everything correctly, it may be best to take a photo with your camera phone so that you put things back the way they should be.
Once you remove the old timer, check for corrosion, arching, or other problems. If these problems exist
t, then you will have to replace the terminals. Otherwise, you can proceed with removing the wires, using the needle-nose pliers for stubborn wire connections. Once you replace the cables as they should be, you can reattach the new timer and reattach the button on the front of the dryer. When you plug the dryer back in, the problem with your dryer spinning uncontrollably should be resolved.
Replace the Dryer Door Switch
Replacing the moisture sensors or the dryer timer are probably worst-case scenarios with your dryer. One of the most simple fixes to repairing your dryer that won’t stop rotating is to replace the dryer door switch. In fact, this should be your first option when you are troubleshooting.
A door switch is a small, plastic mechanism that keeps the dryer from running while the door is open. In most cases, it is black, but in others, it may be white. Either way, when it is broken, your dryer won’t sense that the door is open.
This piece is usually located somewhere around the door of the dryer. If you touch it, it should create a clicking sound. When the door is closed, this button usually goes in and will send a signal to the dryer that the door is closed. However, if this is broken, it won’t make the clicking noise. And since it is not functional, it won’t send a signal to the dryer. In most cases, this broken dryer switch won’t allow the dryer to cut on. But, in other cases, it won’t allow it to shut off.
Just like with replacing the timer, you will have to order this part. It will require you to take some parts of the machine apart, usually the top panel. Replacing this part is easy and may only require a screwdriver and a little muscle to lift the top panel in and out of place. Once you replace the part, the mystery of your spinning dryer should be resolved.
Consider PCB Replacement
A PCB or printed circuit board is very similar to the timer function on most dryers. Some dryers run by either mechanism. The difference is that a PCB is electronically controlled while timer-controlled dryers are mechanical and run using a timer. Just like with the timer-controlled dryer, your PCB will need to be replaced to stop the spinning.
To determine if the PCB is the problem, you will need to inspect it. Start by unplugging the dryer and turning off the gas. Next, open the dryer’s main control panel, and again, make sure that you take a photo of the configuration of the wires so that you can put them back in the correct place.
Take a close look at the circuit board. Do you see anything that looks like there may have been some malfunctions, such as shorting out or burning? This is a sure sign that your PCB will need to be replaced. In some cases, if you don’t notice any damage, there may be some fluke situation going on with the wiring. If you don’t see any damage, then you may be able to simply detach the wires from the motherboard and put them back in place.
Some of these wires will have to be squeezed and pulled out instead of simply yanking them from the board. Make sure you detach the wires properly so that you won’t damage the motherboard. Believe it or not, this simple tactic of detaching and reattaching may fix the problem.
If you pull all the wires out and put them all back, and this resolves the issue, perfect! However, if this does not resolve the issue, you will have to replace the PCB. It would be best to have the replacement circuit board at your disposal first. This will make the process easier. If you discover that you don’t need the board, at least you will have the part for future use if it ever goes completely bad.
Get a Repair Person to Help
If you are a handy person and don’t mind tinkering with light do-it-yourself projects. These methods mentioned above will allow you to fix your dryer problems at minimal costs. You will probably only have to pay for the part replacement. However, if you don’t feel that you are a DIYer or these tasks seem too complicated, the best thing you can do is contact a maintenance specialist. This should be your first step if you believe that your DIY skills may damage your Samsung dryer.
