There are a number of reasons why your Hotpoint dryer may not start when you need it. It could be a simple problem like a faulty start switch. However, it could also signify a more serious issue, especially if you have noticed and ignored some warning signs before the dryer eventually failed.
Hotpoint Dryer Not Starting: Likely Causes & How to Fix
This article explains some of the common reasons behind the “Hotpoint Dryer not starting” problem, and how you can fix the problem on your own. Read on to learn more.
1. Blown Thermal Fuse
The thermal fuse in the Hotpoint dryer is designed to protect it from overheating and prevent fires. The heat-sensitive fuse will break the flow of power to the drive motor when the machine gets too hot. This will save the dryer from being seriously damaged from overheating. If the fuse is blown, the dryer will not turn on even if there are no noticeable signs of overheating.
How to Fix
The fuse is designed to close for continuity which means that it has a continuous electrical path through it when functional. If overheated, the fuse will have no continuity which means that the electrical path is broken and the fuse has blown. In such a case, the fuse would have to be replaced.
To check if the fuse is blown, you will need a multimeter to check for continuity. Make sure you unplug the dryer before looking for the thermal fuse. This should be inside a housing made of white plastic and about an inch long or a bit longer.
In some cases, your dryer might come with more than one fuse. If you’re using the electric dryer model, the thermal fuse will be on the housing for the blower, on the housing for the heating element, or both. If you have a gas dryer, the thermal fuse should be located on the housing for the burner.
If the fuse is still functional, it should read zero ohms on the multimeter. If it doesn’t then you would have to replace the fuse. You would also need to check other components of the dryer for failure. A blown fuse means that the dryer has exceeded the safe level of heat.
You might want to check to see if any of the thermostats has failed as well. Another thing is to check the dryer vent. A blown fuse would signify bad airflow which could be due to a restricted vent from the dryer to the outside.
2. Faulty Start Switch
The start switch should get the dryer working. If this is defective, then you won’t be able to start the dryer even though other components are functioning properly.
How to Fix
To check if the start switch is defective, press the start switch and attempt to start the dryer. If the dryer hums but does not start, then you might be dealing with another problem that has nothing to do with the start switch.
However, if the dryer does not respond or make any noise, it could be that the start switch is at fault. You will have to use a multimeter to test the start switch for continuity. If the switch does not have continuity, then it needs to be fixed. A replacement would be the next approach.
3. Defective Door Switch
The door switch is designed to activate when the dryer door is closed. On most Hotpoint dryer models, you will hear the door switch make an audible clicking sound when it activates.
How to Fix
If the door switch is faulty, it might prevent the dryer from coming on. To check if the door switch is faulty or working properly, try starting the dryer and listening for the click sound.
If the dryer door switch does make a clicking sound, it is probably not defective. However, if you don’t hear a click, you will need to use a multimeter to test the door switch for continuity. If there is no continuity in the door switch, then you would have to replace it.
4. Broken Belt Switch
A broken dryer belt switch won’t always stop the dryer from turning on. When the dryer belt breaks, the motor should still run and the dryer will turn on as it should. However, some dryer models feature a switch that shuts off power to the dryer if the belt is broken.
In the event that this switch fails, it could shut off power to the dryer even when the belt is still functioning properly. This is not a common problem with Hotpoint dryers, but if you’re still not able to pinpoint the issue after trying other fixes, then you might want to consider it.
How to Fix
Start the Hotpoint dryer and listen for a humming noise. If the dryer makes a humming noise when you try to start it, it does mean that the belt switch is not defective. Once you’ve confirmed this, you need to check your model using your user manual to see if it has a belt switch.
If it does have a belt switch, then you need to locate it. Then you would have to get a multimeter to test the belt switch for continuity. If it does not have continuity, this means that the switch is faulty and would have to be replaced.
5. Defective Main Control Board
A defective main control board rarely happens, however, this doesn’t rule out the possibility of such happening. If you’ve tried other fixes and none seems to work for you, then you might want to consider the fact that the control board is defective.
How to Fix
Fixing the main control board might be out of your area of DIY. You might need to get a professional to actually inspect the control board and test it to prove that it is defective.
If you think you can do so on your own, then you need to check for signs of burning or a shorted-out component. If you notice any, it means the main control board would have to be replaced. Taking out and fixing the new control board would require a visit to your user’s manual.
