Your GE front load dryer not starting? Try this

Your GE front load dryer not starting? Try the repairs in this guide

If your GE front load drier won’t start, the issue could be inadequate power supply, bad thermal fuse, a stuck start button, or even a problematic motherboard(main control board).

Below is our comprehensive GE dryer troubleshooting guide to help you diagnose and fix all problems associated with your GE front load dryer not turning on.

Let’s get started.

GE front load dryer not starting – how to troubleshoot the problem

Check for power supply issues

When your GE front load dryer won’t power on, the first troubleshooting step is to always make sure that your dryer is connected to a functioning power source and that the outlet is turned on.

If you are using an electric dryer, it requires 2 legs of 120v AC so make sure that your dryer is connected to a 240v power outlet.

Next, have a look at your power cord just to make sure that it is not damaged(repair or replace as necessary).

The other power-related fault you will want to check for is the amount of power coming from your outlets.

Here you will need to use a multimeter to test it-If it’s less than 120v for a gas dryer or less than 220 – 240v for an electric dryer outlet, then you’re probably experiencing power sags.

Of course, your best bet is to have an electrician check the wiring.

Also, make sure that your mains circuit breaker isn’t tripped- it could have tripped if there was an overload (If so, simply turn it on).

 

Now, in the event your GE front load dryer has power but won’t start, follow the below troubleshooting steps.

 

Check child control lock status

Just like other dryers, some GE dryers do have a child control lock setting to keep children from toying around with the dryer’s settings.

The issue is when it’s activated, all controls (except power) are locked thereby preventing any selection from being made.

Now, to know if this is the cause of your dryer not starting, check the dryer’s display- you should see a lock icon in place if your dryer is locked.

So, how do you unlock child lock on a GE dryer?

Well, try the following two methods:

1. Press and hold the extended tumble and minus (-) buttons for 3 seconds. The lock icon will flash while locking/unlocking.
2. On other models, press and hold the light pad for 3 seconds. The lock icon will flash while locking/unlocking.

Probably your dryer will start after you have disengaged child lock…

 

Check dryer “personality” settings

Now, according to GE appliances, their newer dryer models (2019 and later) may need their personality settings selected in order for the dryer to run(This applies for new GE dryers that won’t start).

So if this is the case with your dryer, then it will not turn on or tumble and a 1 or 2 will appear on the display.

The solution is therefore to set the correct setting.

And you can do that by simply pressing the START/PAUSE button to toggle between the personalities then selecting 1 for electric dryers or 2 for gas dryers to set the dryer to the correct personality.

 

GE front load dryer not starting – more fixes

Check if you have a stuck or faulty power button

When your GE front load dryer power button is not working, you may have trouble powering your dryer on or the dryer simply won’t start.

Here is how to troubleshoot the button:

To begin with, gently press it in to make sure that it’s depressing.

Now, if it’s stuck, you will need to remove the control panel and unjam your power button.

But if the power button depresses and actuates normally, then you will need to test it for continuity.

To do that, simply follow the following steps:

1. Disconnect your dryer from the power and gas(for gas dryers) outlets.
2. Remove the control panel and locate the power button.
3. With your multimeter set to Rx1, test the switch for continuity. You should get a reading of infinity.
4. Now, with the probes still on the terminals, press and hold the switch. Your reading should now change to 0.
5. If your button fails either of the above tests, then it is probably faulty and you should replace it.

 

Check for a stuck or faulty START/PAUSE switch 

The next part to test is the START/PAUSE switch. It’s usually located on the main console.

When pressed, it sends power to the driver motor thereby starting the dryer.

So, is there a way to test a dryer’s START/PAUSE switch?

Yes- follow the procedure below:

1. Disconnect your dryer from the power and gas (for gas dryers) outlets.
2. Remove the control panel and locate the START/PAUSE switch.
3. With your multimeter set to Rx1, test the switch for continuity. You should get a reading of infinity.
4. Now, with the probes still on the terminals, press and hold the switch. Your reading should now change to 0.
5. If your switch fails either of the above tests, then, it is faulty and you should replace it.

We recommend that you get an original replacement such as the OEM push-to-start switch by GE.

 

Faulty door switch/latch

This is normally the most common cause for dryers not starting as these switches do take a lot of beating during opening and closing of the dryer door.

Bear in mind that the latch to your dryer acts as a switch-closing the door completes the power circuit and vice versa.

In short, if your door latch is faulty, your dryer won’t turn on since the power circuit is incomplete.

So, how do you test whether your door switch is faulty?

Well, here is how:

1. Disconnect your dryer from the power and gas (for gas dryers) outlets.
2. Locate your door switch – it’s near the door opening since this is a front dryer. Now, simply pop the switch out of its position.
3. With a multimeter set to Rx1, test the switch for continuity by touching the probes to its terminals. If your switch is in good condition, you should get a reading of infinity.
4. With the probes still on the terminals, press and hold the switch. Your reading should now change to 0.
5. Now, if your switch fails either step 3 or 4 above, it is faulty and you will need to replace it with a compatible original GE dryer door switch.

 

Faulty or blown-up thermal fuse

As the name suggests, a thermal fuse is a fuse meant to protect the dryer from overheating by blowing up once the dryers reaches a certain temperature.

Now, some dryers have two thermal fuses-One is usually located on the side of the heating house while the other is normally located on the blower housing.

The fuse that we are currently interested in is the one on the blower housing since if this fuse blows up, it will cut power to the motor rendering your dryer inoperable.

Now, to check if this is the source of your problems, simply follow the following steps:

1. Disconnect your dryer from the power and gas (for gas dryers) outlets.
2. Remove the back panel to access the thermal fuse on the blower housing (it looks like the one shown below)

3. Carefully disconnect and remove the fuse.
4. Using a multimeter set to Rx1, test the fuse for continuity. If you get a reading of 0 or infinity, your fuse is in good condition.

However, if you get a different reading, then your fuse is damaged and you should replace it.

Here is a replacement GE dryer thermal fuse you can order.

 

Damaged control board

Now, the control board is usually the “brain” of the dryer.

As such, this should be the last part that you look at as they rarely get faulty.

To see if this is the cause of your problem, first open up your dryer and remove the control board(the printed circuit board assembly).

Now, it is usually a tricky affair when it comes to testing a control board. The only way to test it is visually.

How? You may wonder.

Well, simply look at your control board for any signs of parts that appear to be shorted or any other sign of damage.

If you spot one, then your control board is damaged and will require to be replaced.

We recommend the GE dryer OEM control board assembly if you want to try that.

 

GE front load dryer not starting – final words

If the above steps do not fix your dryer, you should contact a qualified service person to come have a look at it.

Voila and good luck.

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