Samsung Dryer Troubleshooting and Repair Tips

Samsung Dryer Troubleshooting and Repair Tips

Samsung is a household name when it comes to appliances, their dryers being some of the most popular models on the market today. As with any appliance, over time you may run into noise issues or problems with heating and drying your clothes as intended with your Samsung electric dryer. This article provides troubleshooting advice and repair tips for DIY (Do It Yourself) repairs so that you can diagnose the problem correctly. U-Fix-It Appliance Parts can get you the right part the first time. For free personalized diagnosis assistance call the U-FIX-IT Appliance Parts store nearest you.

SAMSUNG DRYER NOT HEATING

Samsung dryers are designed in such a way that replacing parts and making repairs is simple and relatively fast. Whether you are a serious DIY’er or a novice, the following tips will help restore your dryer working again without contacting a service technician for a costly repair. U-Fix-It Appliance Parts keeps all the most common parts in stock.

Restricted Airflow (common)

Samsung dryers rely on 2 main things to dry wet clothes: airflow and heat. Before purchasing parts it is recommended to thoroughly clean the dryer duct and lint screen. An airflow restriction can be caused by many things, the most common of which is a build up of lint. That’s why it’s so important to clean the lint screen before every load of clothes. Check your airflow by removing the duct hose from the wall and turning on the dryer or check the vent outside the home while the dryer is running. Over time lint can build up inside the dryer, in the hose from the dryer to the wall, or in the duct where it vents outside. Not only will an airflow restriction cause dryer efficiency and heating issues, it can also be a serious safety hazard. Lint blockage in the ductwork is a leading cause of house fires, plus it can significantly reduce the life of the parts inside the dryer. 

Check this when replacing your Samsung dryer thermal fuse – It is recommended to clean the lint screen periodically with a nylon brush and dish soap, especially if fabric softener sheets are used. Over time the fabric softener sheets can form an invisible coating on the lint screen that reduces airflow. The filter is clean when water flows through it easily. It’s all about the flow!

Voltage issues (less common)

The Samsung electric dryer requires 240 volts from the wall to properly power the machine. If the dryer is not heating check to make sure it is getting the proper voltage. Start at the house circuit breaker. Check for a “tripped” breaker, indicating that the outlet where the dryer plugs into the wall is not receiving voltage. Keep in mind that some functions of the dryer will work even if the proper voltage isn’t being supplied, for example if the voltage measures 120 volts to the machine (half the required electricity) the motor can come on and spin but the dryer will not get hot. A multimeter can be used to test for AC voltage at the terminal block of the dryer. The terminal block is located on the back of the machine where the power cord attaches to the dryer. Inspect the terminal block for signs of overheating or scorched wires. Multimeters are available at a reasonable price from U-FIX-IT Appliance Parts stores along with free instruction.

Faulty electric dryer heating element (common)

After verifying good air flow and proper voltage it’s time to dive right in and to access the heating element. It is the metal coil that sits inside an aluminum housing under the drum of the machine. When electricity is applied, the coil will glow red hot and provide the necessary heat to dry the clothes. Accessing the heating element may seem daunting at first, as it’s not possible to access from the back of the machine like it is for many of the older style dryers. Don’t be intimidated, the hardest part of disassembling the Samsung dryer is not losing the screws as they are removed! Follow the step by step process below to access the inside of the machine easily and fast. (Don’t forget to unplug the machine before starting disassembly)

1. Top panel removal –
   1. Most models have 2 screws located on the back of the machine that hold the top panel in. Remove these screws and push on the top panel from the front of the machine to slide it off the top and remove it. 
   2. Some models have 2 spring clips located under the lip of the top panel at the front of the machine. To access, insert a putty knife or thin flat blade screwdriver and push in about 3 inches from either side of the top panel and pry them upwards. 

1. User interface / control panel removal –
   1. Some models have a user interface (touch panel) located at the front of the machine. After removing the top panel look for a set of screws at the top that need to be removed to pull off the user interface. 
   2. The electrical connections must be unplugged to remove the interface. Take a picture before removing any connectors.

1. Door removal –
   1. Open the dryer door and remove the 2 screws on the bottom of the door frame in front of the lint screen. Some models have additional screws at the top of the frame to remove. 
   2. Unplug the electrical connector from the door switch. 
   3. Lift and pull the entire front panel towards you to remove it.

1. Manifold removal –
   1. Remove the door to expose the manifold holding the drum in place. 
   2. Remove 4 screws (1 in each corner of the manifold) and 1 screw that connects to the dryer’s blower housing. 
   3. Unplug the electrical connector at the bottom right of the manifold connected to the moisture sensors.
   4. Lift up and pull the manifold towards you and set it to the side.

1. Drum removal – 
   1. Take a picture of the idler pulley (located underneath the drum) showing the belt orientation as it passes through the idler pulley.
   2. Press the idler pulley toward the drum to remove the belt.
   3. Pull the drum out the front and set it to the side.

The Samsung dryer heating element is accessible on the right hand side of the dryer in a metal housing with the thermostat and safety fuse on the side. Test these three parts for continuity with an ohm meter or bring them to the U-Fix-It Appliance Parts Store for free testing.

SAMSUNG DRYER NOT SPINNING OR NOISY

There are a few things that cause a Samsung dryer to not spin or spin noisily. The most common reasons are a broken belt, defective idler pulley, deformed roller wheel/s or a blown thermal fuse. These parts are easily identifiable as bad visually, except for the fuse which can be tested with an ohm meter or brought to any U-Fix-It Appliance Parts location for free testing.  Follow the above steps to access these parts. The fuse is located on the machine’s blower housing, it is small and circular with 2 spades on top for wires to connect to.

At U-Fix-It Appliance Parts our goal is to get your appliance up and running with the right part. We offer free testing for many parts and keep all of the most common parts in stock at all of our locations. For free personalized diagnosis assistance call the U-FIX-IT Appliance Parts store nearest you.