The Samsung tumble dryer is the perfect home companion. Most modern models are designed to work without problems for years. Samsung dryers have several important advantages:
- Durability and trouble-free operation subject to operating conditions.
- The cooling circuit removes moisture from things faster than comparable dryers from other manufacturers.
- Modern design, stylish appearance, the ability to integrate the car into any interior.
- Smartphone control, convenient synchronization, intuitive application.
When the tumble dryer is running, a stream of very hot air enters the drum, which contains wet laundry or clothes. When exposed to heat, moisture from things condenses and collects in a special container. If the machine works correctly, then the clothes become completely dry in a short time.
With the daily use of the dryer, we do not think about the fact that over time the machine parts wear out and have to be replaced. During long-term operation, various problems and malfunctions may occur. For example, one day you load laundry into the machine and it does not heat up. Usually, in such cases, people call the foreman or take the dryer to the service.
However, there are a number of breakdowns that can be fixed at home. At the same time, you will save time and family budget. Masters identify 5 main problems in which the Samsung dryer does not heat up:
- burnt out heating element;
- blown fuse;
- problem with the cyclic thermostat;
- wrong power supply or network problem;
- malfunction of the control board heater relay.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most likely reasons a Samsung dryer won’t heat up, as well as the most popular questions about the topic.Samsung tumble dryer won’t heat up: Top 5 Reasons
To understand that the dryer does not heat, you can simply touch its door. If it is cold, then the machine is faulty. At the same time, air may even enter the drum, but it will be cold.
Minor breakages can be repaired by yourself if you know how to do it. Experts name 5 reasons why a Samsung tumble dryer may not heat up. Let’s talk about them in more detail about the causes and how to eliminate them.
Burned out heating element
The heating element is necessary so that the tumble dryer can heat up the air and dry wet things. A working heating element heats up quickly and gives off heat well.
In different models of dryers, heating elements may differ in some design features, size and appearance. In any case, they do the most important job in the car – they generate heat.
Here’s how it works: energy from an electric current is transferred to the heating element, it emits heat, which heats the air. The hot air is fed into the drying chamber with the help of a fan and dries out the wet clothes inside. It is important that the air is at the correct temperature, otherwise clothes or linen may be damaged.
Why might the heating element burn out? This can happen for several reasons:
- The temperature sensor is out of order. If this happens, the heating element will heat up until it burns out.
- Due to voltage surges in the network, the mains filter breaks down and the heating element is damaged.
- Heating element wears out over time after several years of service.
Usually, when the dryer does not heat up, first of all, the operability of the heating element is checked. Its breakdown in 80% becomes the cause of malfunction of the dryers. You can verify that the heating element has burned out using a multimeter or visually.
When using a multimeter to check the resistance of a heating element, the reading should be approximately 10 ohms. If so, then your heating element is working properly.
Alternatively, you can grab a flashlight and see the entire heating element up close. Burned-out elements will emit a burning smell or have characteristic damage to the surface of the heating element.
In order to rectify the situation, the heating element will have to be replaced with a new one. Please note that you should purchase a new heating element only in special stores that have all safety certificates for the product. A poor-quality heating element can lead to a short circuit and damage to the dryer.
Replacing the heating element itself is quite easy, however, you need to get to it first. To do this, you will have to open the body of the car and find the location of the heating element. This can be done using the instructions that came with your dryer.
To avoid personal injury and electric shock, always start any repairs by disconnecting power to the dryer. The heating element is most often located behind the drum, so in order to get to it, you need to remove all the parts that cover it. Having reached the heating element, disconnect it from the connectors and install a new heating element. Then reassemble the machine and check if it works. If the machine turns on and heats up, then you did everything right.
Blown fuse
When it comes to home appliances that generate heat, such as your Samsung tumble dryer, there is an additional component that protects against overheating. This part is called a fuse. The fuse is blown to protect the machine from damage and costly repairs. In this case, the Samsung dryer is equipped with a thermal switch on the heater assembly that protects against overheating. If the temperature rises too high, the fuse will blow and the tumble dryer will not heat up.
Therefore, if your Samsung tumble dryer does not heat up when turned on, check that the fuse is working. Most likely the reason is in it. Whenever the temperature around the heater assembly exceeds a safe level, the fuse will blow to protect the rest of the machine from damage.
Such overheating usually occurs due to clogged ventilation holes in the dryer. Without normal airflow to carry heat away from the heating elements, the heating element assembly will overheat and cause the thermal fuse to burn.
In order to fix the problem, you need to replace the fuse. This part, like many others, cannot be repaired and is replaced with a new one during combustion.
Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the dryer from the power supply by unplugging it from the socket. If you do not do this, you will get an electrical injury.
Wait approximately 30 minutes for the heating element to cool down to avoid scalding when replacing parts. Then disconnect the blown fuse and replace it with a new one. Remember that replacing the fuse will only correct the symptom, not the root cause. Be sure to clean all ventilation slots in the dryer to ensure proper air circulation and prevent overheating.
Cyclic thermostat malfunction
The Samsung tumble dryer does not generate heat continuously until the end of the drying cycle. It usually only generates heat until it reaches the set temperature before turning off the heater. As soon as the set temperature of the air inside the machine is reached, the thermostat turns off the heating. This is specially thought out so that the machine does not overheat and things do not get damaged during drying.
If the air temperature inside is too low, the heating process will be repeated as many times as necessary to maintain the desired heat level throughout the entire cycle.
A cyclic thermostat is required to keep the heater on and off only when needed. It detects when the temperature gets too low or too high and reacts accordingly.
The cyclic thermostat is used every time the machine is started, that is, daily and may fail over time. When this happens, he will not be able to determine that the temperature inside the dryer is too low and therefore will not turn on the heater.
If you have been using your Samsung dryer for a long time, the thermostat may be too worn out to work properly. You can test the functionality of the cyclic thermostat with a multimeter by measuring its resistance. A properly working thermostat should read 0.1 – 0.5 ohms.
In order to fix the malfunction of the cyclic thermostat, it will have to be replaced. Turn off the power to the dryer and remove the back panel. If you do not know exactly where the thermostat is located, read the instructions for the machine and only then proceed with the repair.
To replace the thermostat, you must disconnect the electrical connector and the screws holding it in place. Then install a new thermostat and reassemble the dryer parts in reverse order. After finishing work, turn on the dryer, it should heat up without problems.
Failed control board heater relay
The main control panel is essentially the “brain” of any modern home appliance. In a Samsung tumble dryer, she coordinates and controls all of the appliance’s functions, including its ability to generate heat.
This control board contains many electrical components that control various parts of the dryer. The relay on the control board is designed to supply power to the heater when needed.
While the rest of the control board may function normally, the heater relay on the control board may be a part that has failed. While everything else is working correctly, this faulty heater relay means the control board is not supplying power to the heater.
There are two ways to fix the damage to the relay: repair it in a special service, where experienced craftsmen can replace the point elements on the control board, or replace the entire board at home on their own.
Typically, the main control panel is located behind the dryer control panel. You may have to remove the top panel to access it, although this may differ depending on your model. If you are not sure if you know the exact location of the control board, refer to the owner’s manual. Disconnect the faulty control board and install a new one. After completing the repair, check that the dryer is working properly.
Faulty power supply
Normal operation of the dryer is ensured by correct connection to the mains. The voltage of 220 V is considered to be the reference. However, in Russian realities, it can be significantly lower or higher than stated. Voltage surges above 235 V can damage your Samsung tumble dryer and damage it. If the electrics are damaged, the dryer can be electrocuted – this is life-threatening.
Therefore, a two-pole circuit breaker is suitable for the correct connection of the dryer. In addition, an RCD should be installed – a residual current device in case of current leakage. If your RCD is often triggered and the machine shuts down, then you should check the integrity of the wires and motor windings.
Some owners also install a network stabilizer, but if the voltage in the network does not change abruptly, then the stabilizer is not needed. In order to understand whether it is necessary to install a stabilizer, it is necessary to determine the parameters of the mains voltage:
- When the voltage surges do not exceed 235 V, it means that it is not necessary to install a stabilizer.
- When the voltage surges in the network are more than 10% of the control 200 V in any direction, you should think about purchasing a stabilizer for the dryer.
- If the deviation is 15 percent or more, then you do not need a stabilizer, otherwise the dryer will fail the first time you turn it on.
If the tumble dryer shuts down frequently and the circuit breaker trips, there is a problem with the tumble dryer. In this case, you will have to seek help from an electrician who will check all the parts of the dryer for conductivity and take the necessary measures to correct the situation.
Non-obvious reasons a Samsung tumble dryer won’t heat up
Such reasons include the following malfunctions:
- Wrong operating mode selected. Use the hints in the user manual. It describes in detail how to set the desired drying mode so that the machine runs smoothly.
- Clogged air duct. At the same time, the dryer will work, but things will remain wet. If the air duct is not cleaned, the fuse will blow from overheating.
- Dirty filter. In this case, take it out and rinse it with warm water. Then dry and put in place.
FAQ
We have collected some of the most popular questions about Samsung tumble dryers.
Why did the new heating element in the dryer burn out quickly?
If, after replacing, the new heating element burned out in a short time, then the matter may be in clogged ventilation holes. The dryer may run out of air. Remember, the dryer needs good airflow to prevent overheating of parts such as the heating element. Many homeowners neglect to regularly clean the dryer vents and filters. As a result, lint and dust accumulate, which impedes the effective passage of air. You should clean your dryer vents regularly, especially if you have pets that shed a lot.
How to check the health of the heating element in the dryer?
There are two ways to check the heating element: visually and using a multimeter. To make things easier, you can remove the heating element and inspect it by light. By looking closely at the heating element, you will be able to notice any kinks or burn marks on the coils. These are clear signs that the heating element is defective.
Is it worth replacing the heating element or just buying a new dryer?
Replacing a dryer heating element can be costly, which is why some people are considering buying a new dryer.
What to do? As a rule of thumb, if the cost of repairing your existing dryer is 50% less than the price of a new dryer, you should simply repair it.
Why does the tumble dryer take more than 3 hours to dry my clothes?
If your dryer takes so long to dry things, then it is faulty. There are many reasons for this. This could be the wear of the heating element or the breakdown of any other part of the machine. In this case, it is better to contact a special service, where qualified technicians will figure out the problem and fix it.
How much does it cost to replace a heating element in a Samsung dryer?
The cost of the work can vary widely depending on whether it is a home repair or a service, whether your machine is under warranty, or it has already expired. It also matters whether the master will disassemble the car completely to find other faults or simply replace the heating element. On average, at the time of this writing, replacing a heating element in most services costs from 50 USD.