Why Your Amana Dryer Isn’t Starting

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DanMarc
September 3, 2024
Dryer Repair

Have you put a load of wet laundry in your Amana dryer, chosen a cycle, closed the door, and … nothing happened? If your dryer isn’t functioning at all, it can be tricky to know where to start when troubleshooting the issue. A nonfunctioning dryer is often caused by a power supply issue, but there are also other potential causes. Our guide outlines easy ways to identify the source of the issue as well as some simple fixes. 

This guide refers to most common types of Amana dryers, including the following models:

ALE643RBW

CE2402/P7762235W

CE2402/P7762335W

CE4317L2/PCE4317L2

CE4317W2/PCE4317W2

CE8317W2/PCE8317W2

CE8407W/PCE8407W

DLE330RAW

DLG330RAW

LEA30AW

LEA60AW

LGA30AW

LGA60AW

NDE2330AYW

NDE2335AYW

NDE7800AYW

NDG2330AWW

NED4655EW1

NED5100TQ1

NED7200TW10

NED7300WW1

Check the Power Outlet

The first place to start if your Amana dryer isn’t starting is the power outlet. If there’s a problem with the outlet, electricity won’t flow to your dryer and it won’t be able to function. To check:

  • Ensure the dryer is properly plugged into the outlet and that it isn’t using an extension cord or power strip. 
  • Use a plugin voltage tester to ensure that the outlet itself is functioning. If it isn’t, you’ll need to check the circuit breaker. 

Check the Circuit Breaker

If your Amana dryer has experienced a power surge or power outage, then the circuit breaker may have tripped. To check:

  • Locate your home’s fuse box. In most American homes, these are located in the basement, garage, or, in smaller homes or apartments, the hallway. 
  • Check to see if the circuit breaker has tripped. A tripped circuit breaker will be in the “off” position. 
  • Move the tripped breaker to the “on” position, then go back to your Amana dryer. 
  • Test to see if the dryer now starts properly. If not, move on to the next step in our guide. 

Try a Reset

Sometimes modern dryers can freeze or experience software issues which can cause them not to start. To fix this, we recommend performing a hard reset on your Amana dryer to clear any issues. Amana dryers don’t have a reset button, so you’ll need to follow these steps:

  • Unplug your dryer from the power outlet (or trip the circuit breaker corresponding to the dryer). 
  • Wait at least five minutes, then restore power to your dryer. 
  • Check to see if your dryer is now starting normally. If not, move on to the next step in this guide. 

Check the Thermal Fuse

If your Amana dryer has overheated or experienced a power surge, it can lead to the thermal fuse blowing. This will prevent your dryer from starting until the fuse has been replaced. This is more likely if your dryer’s vent is full of lint or if the lint filter hasn’t been cleared out recently. To fix:

  • Unplug your dryer.
  • Remove the back panel to access the thermal fuse. Consult your manual for specifics regarding its location in your model. 
  • Once you find the fuse, check to see if the filament inside is broken. If you’re unsure if it’s blown or not, you can use a multimeter to check the fuse for continuity. 
  • If the fuse is blown, source a replacement and install it in place of the faulty fuse. 
  • Put the dryer back together and reconnect it to the power source. 
  • Run a test cycle to see if it’s working properly again. If not, try the next step in this guide.

Check the Door Latch

Amana dryers won’t run if the door is open. If there’s something wrong with your dryer’s door latch, the dryer may be incorrectly sensing that the door is open even when closed. This will prevent it from functioning. To fix:

  • Disconnect your Amana dryer from its power source. 
  •  Inspect the door latch. Check for lint, debris, threads, or other items that may be obstructing the latch from properly engaging and remove these. 
  • Listen for a “click” when the dryer door closes. If you can’t hear that, there may be a malfunction with the latch. 
  • Use a multimeter to check if the latch has continuity. If not, it will need to be replaced. 
  • Order a replacement door latch, ensuring it’s compatible with your particular model of Amana dryer.
  • Remove the faulty latch and install the replacement latch in its place. 
  • Once the new latch is in place, restore power and test your dryer to see if it’s now functioning correctly. If it still isn’t working, proceed to the next step in this guide. 

Replace the Control Board

If you’ve ruled out the other causes for your Amana dryer not starting, there may be a malfunction with the control board wiring. The control board is the brain of the dryer, and if it’s not functioning then it can’t direct the dryer to perform its functions. Replacing the control board requires a knowledge of wiring and electrical DIY. If you don’t feel confident doing this, we recommend hiring a professional technician. 

A malfunction with the control board can also be a sign that your dryer is getting to the end of its lifespan, so take the age of your appliance into account. Most dryers last between 10 and 13 years, so if yours is getting close to this age, then it might be more sensible to purchase a new dryer. 

To replace the control board:

  • Source a replacement control board from an appliance parts retailer, ensuring it’s compatible with the model of Amana dryer that you own. 
  • Turn off your dryer and remove the old control board, ensuring that you take note of all the wiring connections. You can use your phone to take a picture of the connections before you remove the control board. 
  • Install the replacement control board in its place, ensuring all wiring is properly connected. 
  • Restore power to your dryer and test to see if it’s starting properly.
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