How To Reset Kenmore Dryer

To reset a Kenmore dryer, unplug it or turn off power at the circuit breaker, wait at least 60 seconds for any residual electric charge to drain out, then power it up again. This process is called a power cycle. By performing a power cycle, the computer chips and circuitry will reset. This typically clears out bugs and software glitches. Once a power cycle is performed, the dryer should work normally.

Before unplugging the dryer or turning off the breaker, I recommend switching off the dryer. You can do it on the control panel or by pressing or turning a button based on the model Kenmore dryer you have.

To make sure all the residual electricity has drained out of the system, you can wait longer before powering it up again. 60 seconds is usually enough but if you want to be extra cautious, wait about 5 minutes.

Common problems that are fixed by resetting your Kenmore dryer are:

An unresponsive control panel
Dryer not heating or spinning properly
Electrical panel glitches
Clock or timer working improperly
Incorrect settings

Once you reset the dryer by performing a power cycle, the software setting should return to normal. However, keep in mind that this type of reset only works for more modern dryers that have circuits, chips and software. It may not work on very old fashioned dryers without a built in computer.

Another thing to keep in mind is that resetting the dryer only helps software issues. If your dryer has a hardware problem, a reset won’t fix it.

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How To Troubleshoot Common Problems With A Kenmore Dryer

I’m a big fan of Kenmore washers and dryers. They’re high quality, look good and are quite durable with all sorts of modern functionality. In fact, we use them in all the new homes we build and remodel. Although they’re very reliable, like all appliances, they sometimes have issues. Luckily they’re easy to work on and the replacement parts are fairly cheap.

In many cases, a Kenmore dryer that’s malfunctioning may simply need a reset. This is more common with newer models that rely on computers to operate. If your dryer isn’t working properly, try a reset first before inspecting the hardware. If that doesn’t work, you’ll have to troubleshoot the cause of the problem.

To reset a Kenmore dryer, unplug it or turn off power at the circuit breaker, wait at least 60 seconds for any residual electric charge to drain out, then power it up again.

Here’s a list of common problems:

Inadequate voltage supply
A timer issue
A problem with the door switch
Failure of a thermal fuse
A loose wire connection.
Malfunctioning thermostat
Bad dryer thermostat
Faulty dryer belt switch
Malfunctioning dryer heating element
Faulty high temperature limit switch
Stuck control lock

Each of these issues can be caused by both a hardware or a software issue. Try to troubleshoot and fix the problem with a hard reset first before moving on to the hardware. A reset is fast and easy to do and fixes a lot of common dryer issues.

If a reset doesn’t work and you need to find the problem, you may need a multimeter. It’s used to test electrical components like the thermostat and switches. A multimeter is an invaluable tool when troubleshooting hardware problems with your dryer.

Do Kenmore Dryers Have A Reset Button?

No, Kenmore dryers do not have a reset button. To reset the dryer you must unplug it or turn off power at the circuit breaker, wait at least 60 seconds for any residual electric charge to drain out of the dryer, then power it up again. This process is called a power cycle.

By performing a power cycle, the computer chips and circuitry will reset. This typically clears out any bugs and/or software glitches that are causing problems with your dryer. Once a power cycle is completed, the dryer should work normally.

While Kenmore dryers do not have a reset button, some have circuit breakers. To reset the breakers, flip them on and off two to three times. Do this while the power is off and the dryer is either unplugged or the breaker is flipped off.

How To Factory Reset A Kenmore Dryer

To perform a factory reset of a Kenmore dryer, unplug it or turn off power at the circuit breaker, wait at least 60 seconds for any residual electric charge to drain out, then power it up again.

After a factory reset, the software will reset to its original factory settings.

Like any electronic device with circuits, chips and software, glitches and bugs can sometimes cause a Kenmore dryer to malfunction. Performing a factory reset clears out bugs and glitches which will make your dryer work normally again.

However be aware that a factory reset only fixes software issues. If you have a hardware problem, a reset may not help.

How To Replace Kenmore Dryer Thermal Cutoff Fuse

Kenmore dryers have contained a thermal cutoff fuse since the 1980s. They’re a safety measure that will trip if the dryer overheats. However unlike a traditional fuse, they do not trip from excess electrical current. When they blow, the shut off electricity to the dryer which prevents it from creating heat. Unlike a breaker, a fuse can’t be reset. Fuses are single use only, so once it blows it must be replaced to get the dryer working again.

To replace a Kenmore dryer thermal cut off fuse, unplug your dryer from the wall power source or turn off the breaker. Next, remove the rear panel of the dryer and locate the thermal fuse. If it’s tripped, remove the fuse and replace it with a new one.

You can buy a new Kenmore dryer thermal fuse for around $5 to $10 dollars on Amazon or Sears.
Once the new fuse is installed, restore power to the dryer and try a test load to see if the machine gets hot.

Since the dryer is unplugged while you change the fuse, it will also factory reset itself. This will clear out any bugs or glitches in the system.

How To Reset Kenmore Dryer Timer

A Kenmore dryer timer controls how long every dry cycle lasts. It performs a very important function because it prevents over and under drying of your clothes. The dryer timer is connected to a motor that controls the operation of the dryer. To reset a Kenmore dryer timer, unplug the dryer or turn off power at the circuit breaker, wait at least 60 seconds for any residual electric charge to drain out, then power it up again. This process is called a power cycle. By performing a power cycle, the computer chips and circuitry will reset which includes the timer.

This typically clears out bugs and software glitches. Once a power cycle is performed, bugs and software glitches should be cleared out which causes the dryer to work normally.

If the problem persists, you need to check the dryer motor for issues. I’ll explain how in the next section.

How To Reset Kenmore Dryer Thermostat

If your Kenmore Dryer isn’t drying properly, it may have a malfunctioning dryer thermostat. It’s easy to troubleshoot the problem by testing the thermostat for electrical continuity using a multimeter. This may sound technical but it’s actually a very easy test to perform.

Start by removing the dryer thermostat.
Touch your multimeter’s probes to the thermostat’s two terminals
If the multimeter shows zero ohms of resistance it indicates electrical continuity, your thermostat is functioning normally
If there is no continuity, your Kenmore Dryer Thermostat will need to be replaced.

A dryer thermostat should always be checked at room temperature.

Once you check your thermostat, you’ll know if your dryer isn’t getting hot enough due to a bad thermostat, another hardware problem or a software issue. The best thing to check next is the software by performing a power cycle reset.

To power cycle reset a Kenmore dryer, unplug it or turn off power at the circuit breaker, wait at least 60 seconds for any residual electric charge to drain out, then power it up again. This process is called a power cycle. By performing a power cycle, the computer chips and circuitry will reset. This typically clears out bugs and software glitches. Once a power cycle is performed, the dryer should work normally unless there’s an issue with the hardware.

How To Reset Kenmore Dryer Belt Switch

A Kenmore dryer belt switch is designed to trip if the belt snaps to stop the drum from spinning. The switch is connected to the dryer belt tension pulley. The dryer belt switch work similar to a breaker which can easily be reset when it blows.

To reset the dryer belt switch, turn off the machine and unplug it or turn off the breaker. Then, open the machine and look for the dryer belt. The dryer belt switch will be attached somewhere on the belt. Depending on your model dryer, you may have to remove the dryer’s back panel to get to the switch or you may have to remove the entire drum.

Once you find the switch, it’s very easy to reset. The switch functions just like a standard breaker with a toggle lever. To reset it, simply push the lever to the on position.
Before resetting the switch, test it with a multimeter to make sure its working properly. If the switch is faulty, remove and replace it.
Make sure to replace the belt if it snapped before resetting the switch.
If the belt slipped off, reattach it before resetting the switch.

After the switch is reset and the belt is attached, reinstall your drum or reinstall the back panel. Then power the dryer and run a test to make sure it’s working properly.

I recommend running a test dry with clothes in the dryer rather than doing it with the drum empty.

How To Reset Kenmore Dryer Control Lock

Modern Kenmore dryers come equipped with a control lock function which is a safety feature that prevents the unit from operating between cycles. You can also use this function to prevent children from turning on the dryer when you aren’t around. If the dryer gets stuck in lock mode, it’s usually because one or more of the control buttons is stuck. We see this problem a lot on service calls and luckily there’s a simple way to fix the problem.

Here are two ways to reset the control lock on a Kenmore dryer. Which you should use depends on the model you have:

To reset your Kenmore Dryer Control Lock function, press and hold the Stay Fresh Button for five seconds. This will deactivate or activate the lock Function control.
Press and hold the “Control Lock/Unlock” button on the control panel for 3 seconds to lock the control panel. Listen for a double beep and make sure the “Control Lock” status light is lit when the control lock is on. Next, press and hold the “Control Lock/Unlock” button on the control panel again for 3 seconds. This time the “Control Lock” status light should go out and the lock should reset.

After you reset the control lock, I recommend performing a hard reset of the entire dryer. This will clear out any software bugs or glitches in the system and reset the dryer to factory settings.

How To Reset Kenmore Dryer Heating Element

When I’m on a service call to fix a dryer that isn’t getting hot, one of the common causes is a bad heating element. The heating element is what warms the air that dries your clothes. If it’s not functioning properly, the air won’t get hot or will warm up very slowly.

Depending on what’s wrong with your heating element, you may need a replacement or a reset. Try a reset first because the problem may be a software glitch or a big in the system. If a reset doesn’t work, then move on to exposing, inspecting and possibly replacing the element.

If a reset doesn’t work, you’ll need to inspect the element.

Remove the back panel of the dryer to expose the working parts.
Find the heating element and inspect the wiring. It’s possible that the element could have a bad connection.

If the connection is good, remove the element from the dryer.

Test it with the leads of your multimeter for continuity. If this step is too technical for you it’s best to call a technician.
If there’s no electrical continuity, replace the dryer heating element. You can buy them on Amazon for around $40.

Once the new heating element is installed, reinstall the back panel and reset the dryer. Then run a test cycle on high with clothes in the dryer to make sure it heats up properly.

How To Reset Kenmore Dryer High Temperature Thermostat

A modern Kenmore dryer has a high-limit thermostat which is a switch that’s actuated by temperature change. The switch acts as a safety mechanism to prevent the dryer from overheating. If your thermostat is malfunctioning, your dryer may not heat properly.

To reset your Kenmore dryer high temperature thermostat, unplug it or turn off power at the circuit breaker, wait at least 60 seconds for any residual electric charge to drain out, then power it up again. If the issue with the thermostat is software related, a reset could help. However, if it’s a hardware problem, a reset won’t fix it.

If a reset doesn’t help with your dryer issues, you need to inspect the thermostat.

The high temperature thermostat is located beneath the dryer vent at the back of the appliance. You can test a high limit thermostat with a multimeter by looking for continuity at room temperature. If your reading indicates a defective thermostat, it must be replaced.

When inspecting the thermostat, look for a bad connection. Most of the time when I inspect a dryer it’s a bad connection rather than a faulty thermostat. When the dryer rocks it’s possible to loosen a wire.