Samsung dryer loses power or won't turn on

When your dryer won't turn on, or if it loses power suddenly, the most common causes relate to how the power is being supplied to the dryer. Here are the things to check for.

Samsung dryer loses power or won't turn on

Caution

Always switch off the circuit breaker before interacting with the dryer's power cord.

Important

If your dryer has power and stays turned on, but won't start or spin, or if your dryer runs like normal and ends a cycle like normal but it ends too soon, see our guides specific to those issues.

Checkpoint

Inspect and Power Cycle

Turn off the breaker, unplug the dryer, and inspect the power connection.

While it's unplugged, inspect the plug, cord, and outlet for burn marks and damage. Electric dryers in particular require installation of the power cord to the dryer, so make sure everything looks correct and nothing is loose.

Stop troubleshooting and contact an electrician if:

You see any burn marks or damage.
The dryer has never heated since it was installed in this location (or since the installation location has changed in some way).
The installation of an electric dryer's power cord is visibly incorrect or loose.

We recommend a licensed electrician or professional installer handle these issues for you as they do not indicate that the dryer is the cause of the issue.

If the dryer has powered on before at this location, and nothing about the installation has recently changed or seems damaged, loose, or incorrect, then continue troubleshooting.

Wait 30 seconds, and then switch the breaker back On.

Making sure the circuit breaker is completely off before switching it on is the easiest way to confirm the circuit isn't tripped, since a tripped circuit can be hard to spot:

Gas dryers need a 15 Amp circuit (and use a regular 3-prong outlet). Sometimes tripped circuits closely resemble circuits that are turned on, but need to be shut off completely before they can be switched back on.
Electric dryers use two-part circuits for a total of 30 Amps (and use special 240-volt outlets). In rare cases, the circuit is "half-tripped." Power off both circuits for 30 seconds and then back on to correct this.

After confirming that the circuit breaker is definitely not tripped, plug the dryer back in and try turning the dryer on again. If the breaker continues to trip, contact a licensed electrician.

Did this resolve your issue?

If this didn’t resolve your issue, please click on “No” for more help.

Yes No

We’re happy to hear that your problem has been resolved.

(Gas Dryers Only) Check the Outlet

Note

If your model has a drum light, and it comes on when you open the door, you can skip checking the outlet since the drum light confirms that the outlet is working.

Also, electric dryers use a different type of outlet that isn't as easy to test, so they can skip this step.

Try something else in the same outlet.

Test the outlet by plugging in something else, like a phone charger, or a lamp. If the outlet isn't working, contact a licensed electrician.

Did this resolve your issue?

If this didn’t resolve your issue, please click on “No” for more help.

Yes No

We’re happy to hear that your problem has been resolved.

Run a Vent Blockage Test

Important

If your dryer won't turn on at all, you can't run a vent blockage test, so in that case, skip this step. This step is just for if the dryer has been turning off mid-cycle.

Run a Vent Blockage test.

In some situations, as a safety measure, the dryer may shut itself off if a blockage is detected in the vent. This will appear like the dryer suddenly turned off or lost power.

To make sure a vent blockage isn't the cause of your issue, run a Vent Blockage test.

If a vent blockage is detected, then clean your vent before continuing.

Did this resolve your issue?

If this didn’t resolve your issue, please click on “No” for more help.

Yes No

We’re happy to hear that your problem has been resolved.

Request Service

Request service.

If the dryer still will not turn on or stay turned on, visit our Support Center to request service.

Did this resolve your issue?

If this didn’t resolve your issue, please click on “No” for more help.

Yes No

We’re happy to hear that your problem has been resolved.

Recommended Articles

Samsung dryer is vibrating or shaking

As long as your Samsung dryer is installed on a level and solid surface, and you haven't overloaded it, then you can try leveling your dryer to prevent it from vibrating or shaking. This will secure the dryer so it operates the way it should.

Samsung dryer smokes or smells

Dryer odors can come from a few places such as the lint trap, exhaust vent, or not actually from the dryer at all, like the washing machine or the water. If the dryer's new, that might be the reason as well. When a new dryer starts up for the first time, it may smell like something is burning, as any oil residue from the packing material heats up.

Samsung dryer turns on but doesn’t start or spin

Unfortunately, if your dryer isn't spinning, it usually means that service is required. There's one quick test to perform to make sure that the cycle is being started correctly. And of course make sure it's not something as simple as Child Lock.

Samsung dryer is vibrating or shaking

As long as you have the dryer installed on a nice, solid level surface, and you haven't overloaded it, then the main step to take is leveling it. This will secure the dryer and have it operate the way it should.

We're here for you

Contact Samsung Support

Contact us online through chat and get support from an expert on your computer, mobile device or tablet. Support is also available on your mobile device through the Samsung Members App.

Get support