Why Your Dryer Keeps Clicking, & What To Do About It

Have you been using your dryer for some time, only to find it’s started clicking?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Nothing is disappointing like having a huge laundry of wet clothes, and the dryer fails to start and instead starts making clicking sounds.

A whole bunch of reasons can cause this issue. Some of these issues include broken thermal fuses, door switch issues, dryer belt issues, and door switch issues.

When you experience such issues, it is common to start calling for a maintenance specialist. However, you can fix some of these issues without the need for a repairman. Are you ready to learn about the causes and how to fix this issue once and for all? Read throughout the article, and you will discover the causes of the clicking sound and the solutions.

9 Reasons Why Your Dryer Keeps Clicking

Thermal Fuse Issues

Does your dryer click instead of starting? Blown thermal fuses could be the issue. The role of a thermal fuse is to ensure your dryer doesn’t catch fire. When the temperature within the dryer gets hot, it trips.

It is usually white, and depending on the type of the dryer, it can be rectangular or oval shaped connected using two wires. It is located on a blower or at a dryer’s heat source.

How do you check if a thermal fuse is the issue?

•  Unplug your dryer from a socket
•  Check the manual to determine where the thermal fuse is located.
•  Please separate it from the dryer
•  Test it for continuity. Readings of 0 ohms indicate continuity, while if there are no readings, there is no continuity, and you should do the necessary repairs.

Start Switch

A broken start switch could be another reason your dryer won’t start and instead produces clicking sounds. Whether it is a rotary or push-start switch, it is prone to breaking. The switch is usually responsible for beginning the cycle.

Have you been using your dryer for an l? It is possible that the switch has worn out and hence is unable to engage the circuit.

How do you check for a defective start switch?

•  Like thermal start, separate your dryer from the socket.
•  Remove the dryer’s top plate, unbolt the dryer’s control panel and remove the lint trap. If your model is different, check the user’s guide.
•  Remove the wire connectors and as you do so, take a picture to ensure when screwing back, you fix them to their proper places.
•  Test the switch terminals using a multimeter. The switch will require replacement if the tester doesn’t move or display any significant changes.

Dryer Belt Issues

Is your dryer motor on, but the drum isn’t turning? Try checking the drive belt. What is a dryer belt? It is a belt wrapped around a dryer drum to rotate it. If your dryer clicks instead of starting, the possibilities are that the dryer belt is broken or loose.

First, before calling for a repairman, try manual rotation of the dryer drum. If it turns out smoothly, the possibilities are that the drier belt has issues and replacement is necessary.

How to inspect a dryer belt

The easiest way to check is to listen for a click when the door is closed. If you hear a click, your door switch may be fully functional. However, it is best to use a multimeter to fully check the function of the door.

How to inspect the door switch

•  Detach your dryer from the socket
•  Take out the top panel to access the dryer drum and remove the lint trap if necessary.
•  Check if it is wrecked or loose.
•  Take away the control panel from the front loader.
•  The belt will come off at the lower part of a drum. Weave it over the idler pulley and motor pulley. Move the idler pulley to get rid of possible tension.
•  Similarly, if substituting a drum belt, thread the belt over the idler puller or motor pulley, ensuring the hollow side of the belt is facing the drum.

Broken Door Switch

The door switch helps prevent the dryer from running when the door is open. When the door is opened and closed, the dryer will think that it is still open even if the door is closed, and therefore, cannot be started. In this case, you must check the door switch.

•  Disconnect your dryer from the socket
•  Remove the control panel and lint collector to access the door switch on the top loading dryer. For front-loading dryers, you can access the door switch after removing the dryer’s door panel. Check the user manual of the dryer to ensure the location.
•  Disconnect the door switch from the wires connecting it
• Unscrew it from the dryer
•  Test for continuity using a multimeter. If it does not display significant change or no needle movement is detected, the switch needs replacement.

Broken Drive Motor

This part is what makes the dryer drum turn and the blower wheel work. While it is a less common reason for the dryer’s clicking noise, there is still a possibility. If your dryer is not working instead, it clicks; the chances are that its driver motor is broken. If the blower wheels become obstructed, they can restrain the motor from turning, after which the motor breaks down. Before getting into trouble with checking the drive motor, ensure you have considered all other possibilities, including start switch, door switch, and thermal fuse issues.

How to check for a broken motor

•  For safety, disconnect the dryer from the power outlet
•  Remove the drive belt and check if there are any obstructions to the blower impeller
•  Remove any blockers and try turning on the dryer
•  If there are no blockers, consider replacing the motor

Main Control Board Issues

While it is uncommon for the main control board to be the cause why your dryer isn’t working, there is still the possibility. Before examining the control board, it is best to eliminate other high potential causes like the thermal fuse, door switch, and start switch. If they are perfectly in excellent condition, the possibilities are that the control board is to blame.

While it is not easy to test this issue, the control board sometimes indicates burning or shorted-out components.

Exhaust Duct

The exhaust duct is where the hot air leaves your dryer. If it becomes loose, it is likely to produce a clicking sound. Most dryers are fitted with a flexible, shiny silver tube leading to the vet. Some dryers are fitted with a more permanent duct.

Inspect both the duct and the vent for possible loose parts that might be causing the clicking sound.

Broken Idler Pulley

The purpose of the idler pulley is to ensure the belt is secured, ensuring the drum rotates properly. If this part breaks, you will notice several signs. The most common is that the dryer fails to start but produces a clicking sound.

In such a case, there is a need to access the pulley and determine if it is worn out, cracked, or even broken and replace it.

How to inspect idler pulley

•  After opening the dryer, you will see the drive belt twisting over the drum and below the idler pulley wheel all-round the drive pulley on the motor.
• The idler pulley is located at the movable arm to apply tension to the belt.
•  As a precaution, ensure you wear gloves to avoid being cut by sharp edges
•  Reaching into the dryer, slowly tag on the drive belt. When pressure is applied, it ought to be tight.
•  Push the idler pulley towards the motor, allowing the release of belt tension before removing it.
•  Check the idler pulley for possible damage that might cause the clicking noise.
•  Spin the wheel manually on the pulley. Does it spin smoothly and quietly? The issue is not with the idler pulley.
•  Based on your dryer’s model, you might be able to replace the wheel, while others might require you to replace the whole assembly.

Idler Pulley’s Micro-Switch Issues

Some of the dryer idler pulleys are equipped with a micro-switch commonly known as the belt switch. The purpose of the micro-switch is to prevent the dryer from continuous operation after the drive belt breaks. As such, the dryer will not only click but will not start operating until the belt is fixed.

If you find that the belt is not broken during the inspection, then the possible issue could be with the micro-switch.

How do you resolve the issue with the belt switch?

Remove all the wires connecting the switch and test for continuity:

1.  Unplug the dryer from the power socket
2.  Wear protective gloves to prevent possible injuries
3.  Unscrew the rear of the control panel and remove it
4.  Opening the dryer door, unscrew inside the frame to secure the mainframe
5.  Unhook the control panel tabs from the top and remove them
6.  Take out the screws to keep the panel together in place, lift it and rotate it to the side
7.  Then unscrew the side of the cabinet leading to the support panel
8.  Reaching under the drum, push the idler pulley, releasing the belt tension
9.  Take the belt out of the motor shaft and the pulley
10.  Using the belt, lift the drum out
11.  Remove the screws holding the cycling thermostat to remove it out of the way.
12.  Remove the screws at the back of the motor bracket and the ones from the front support panel.
13.  Take out the motor assembly and detach the idler arm
14.  Disconnect the belt switch wires
15.  Unscrew the old belt switch and install the new one in the same way

Conclusion

Why does your Dryer Keep Clicking? Being stacked with a bale of wet clothes in a dryer that keeps on clicking instead of starting can be annoying, and that is why knowing what to do is essential. There is no way to decide an appropriate cause of action without determining the causes.

I hope you now understand some of the primary reasons why your dryer is clicking. Some include thermal fuse issues, dryer belt problems, a defective door switch, and a defective start switch. You do not require a maintenance specialist for some of these issues as they are simple to fix.

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