Fix A Maytag Centennial Dryer That Won’t Start

Maytag makes reliable washers and dryers beloved by America. Mine dried up hundreds of sets of clothes and has proven to be a great purchase.

But the fact is that sometimes, the dryer will not start no matter what you do.

In this article, I will show you several ways to fix a Maytag dryer that won’t turn on so that you can dry your next batch of clothes ASAP!

Maytag Centennial Dryer Not Starting

A Maytag Centennial dryer may not start due to power issues or faulty parts like the door latch, control lock, or thermal fuse. These issues can be fixed by replacing these parts.

In such events, you can take the following steps.

1. Look out for power issues

Even before you think something might be wrong with your washer, check out the power situation in your home.

Every dryer (even the ones that use gas) needs electricity to power its motor and other functions.

Here are a few ways to ensure there are no power issues.

1. Test your outlet– Ensure that the dryer’s plug is securely plugged into an outlet. If it does not power on, plug in another appliance to find out if the outlet is faulty or the dryer is.
2. Look for blown fuses or tripped breakers- Check your home’s circuit box and replace any fuses or breakers that are blown. Note that dryers need at least 2 of them to run.
3. Do not use extension cords- These cords can’t power large appliances and lead to overheating as they cannot safely conduct the required voltages. Plug your dryer directly into the wall.

2. Check the door latch

Another simple solution you might be overlooking is the door latch not closing all the way through, which could be caused due to several reasons.

As a safety precaution, Maytag dryers will not start unless the door is not entirely closed. If your dryer is not starting, here’s what you should check concerning the door latch:

1. Close the door firmly- Even if the door might appear close to you, it might need a firmer push to get the latch to lock. You will hear a click when it’s latched properly.
2. Look for blockages- Clean out lint or dirt that might be left over from your previous use of the dryer, which could be causing the latch not to engage correctly.
3. Check for a broken latch- If the dryer still doesn’t start, then the latch may be broken and unable to send a start signal to the dryer. I recommend you call a Maytag technician to replace your door latch.

3. Turn off the control lock

One of the other possibilities that can cause the dryer not to turn on is the control lock function being activated.

Your Maytag Centennial dryer has this function to prevent accidental starts. It does this by locking all tasks on the control panel, including the start button, which lets you turn the dyer on.

The control lock feature can be turned on due to various reasons that you might not have known. However, it can also be turned off just as quickly:

1. After plugging your Maytag Centennial dryer into the wall, wait for the load and press the start button.
2. If the dryer’s control lock is activated, the control panel screen will display the letters’ CL’ or ‘LOC.’ Note that this depends on your dryer’s make, year, and model.
3. To disable the control lock, press the ‘Cycle Signal’ button and hold it for 3 seconds, after which the letters from the control panel should go away.

4. Replace the thermal fuse

If the previous methods yield no results, a malfunction on some part of the dryer may stop it from turning on.

Chief among these part failures is a malfunctioning thermal fuse, a safety device designed to blow in case the dryer is repeatedly overheating to prevent fires.

In this case, your Maytag dryer will not turn on, even if it isn’t overheating. The fuse will have to be replaced to start working again, as it cannot be repaired.

However, if the dryer doesn’t dry your clothes even before the fuse is blown, you can avoid this by checking for blockage in the air vent and exhaust pipe and cleaning them out.

If you are left with a broken fuse, you can easily replace it. The location of the fuse will either be at the blower housing or near the heating element, depending on your model.

Replacement fuses can be found online for as little as $6, but make sure that the fuse is compatible with your dryer. I would recommend letting an expert take care of this for you.

5. Replace the start switch

The start switch in your Maytag Centennial dryer should not be confused with the start button. The controller is behind the button and signals the motor to start.

The start switch is a crucial component of your dryer, without which it won’t run, even if it is getting enough power or not faulty.

A faulty start switch can be identified easily as it triggers a fault code visible on the control panel or shuts the dryer down completely.

On most versions of the Maytag Centennial, the start button makes a sound when you push it. If this does not happen in yours, have a technician look at the dryer.

Luckily, smart switches, in the case of Maytag dryers, are not expensive and will cost you between $6-$10. But make sure to get a control compatible with your dryer.

How Can I Know If My Maytag Centennial Is Defective?

Although Maytag makes durable and reliable machines that are known to stand the test of time, carelessness on the user’s part may make its lifetime much shorter.

• If you begin to notice problems with your dryer, here are a few ways you can make sure that it is faulty and needs repair:
  1. The Centennial dryer makes abnormal noises or vibrations during use.
  2. There is a burning smell when you try to start the dryer.
  3. The control panel shows fault codes or a light doesn’t stop blinking.
• To avoid any more malfunctions in the future, I’ll give you a few tips to follow-
  1. Do not slam the door shut, and always be gentle. Being rough with the door might cause damage to the latch mechanism over time.
  2. To prevent the thermal fuse from blowing, clean the lint trap once a month and routinely check for clogs in any vents and wall openings near your Maytag Centennial dryer.
  3. Always plug your dryer directly into the wall, and do not use cord extensions. These can cause more harm to the dryer than good.

Final Remarks

A Maytag dryer that doesn’t start when you need your clothes dry can be incredibly frustrating. Luckily, there are many ways that you can resolve this issue and get it up and running again.

1. Look out for power issues
2. Check the door latch
3. Turn off the control lock
4. Replace the start switch
5. Replace the thermal fuse