Samsung dryer won't turn off: what it means and what to check
A Samsung dryer that won't turn off can mean two different things: a normal wrinkle cycle, or a dryer that keeps powering the motor when it shouldn't. This page helps you tell those apart before you call a repair company.
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If a Samsung dryer won't turn off and the drum keeps spinning after you press Power, the motor circuit is staying energized. The most common repair cause is a stuck motor relay on the main control board, especially when the drum starts again as soon as the door is closed.
Check these first
Safe to do yourself. Unplug the appliance before you start.
- Look for Wrinkle Prevent
If the display says END and Wrinkle Prevent is on, the dryer may tumble with no heat after the cycle. Open the door to stop it, then turn Wrinkle Prevent off for the next load.
- Know what can be normal
On some newer Samsung dryers, the drum light can stay on for a few minutes after you press Power. A panel that stays lit briefly after the cycle, or a drum light that times out, is different from a drum that keeps spinning.
- Press Power, then open the door
Press Power once. If the drum keeps spinning, open the door. A dryer that stops with the door open but starts again when the door closes points toward a stuck motor relay.
- Reset power at the breaker
Turn the dryer breaker off, wait a few minutes, then turn it back on. If the dryer is gas, unplug it if the plug is easy to reach. If the same symptom returns right away, the reset didn't clear the fault.
- Check lint, venting, and Sensor Dry clues
If the dryer only runs too long on Sensor Dry or Auto Dry, clean the lint filter, turn off Eco Dry if that setting is on, and check that air is moving at the outside vent hood. You can also wipe the two metal sensor bars inside the drum with a soft cloth and a drop of dish soap, then dry them. Film on the bars more often makes Sensor Dry end too soon, not run endlessly.
Conditions that make this more likely
Boards fail earlier in hot rooms
Electronics are rated for room temperature. In a garage or an unconditioned laundry room in summer, a control board can sit well above that for hours a day. Before replacing a board, a good technician confirms the parts it controls test good, since a shorted pump or valve can take out a new board too.
What a technician tests
Most likely part first. These are for a technician with a meter and the tech sheet, not a weekend project.
Don't see your symptom?
Describe it on the phone. The company on the other end works on these every day and will know what to ask.
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Read the fix →Common questions about appliance repair
Is Wrinkle Prevent the same as a dryer that won't turn off?
No. Wrinkle Prevent tumbles the drum with no heat after the cycle and stops when you open the door. A fault is more likely when the dryer ignores Power or starts tumbling again as soon as the door is closed.
How do I reset a Samsung dryer that won't turn off?
Turn the dryer breaker off for a few minutes, then turn it back on. If the drum starts again with the controls off, stop using it until a technician checks the motor relay circuit.
Why does my Samsung dryer stop when I open the door, then start when I close it?
That pattern is classic for a motor relay stuck on the control board. The door switch is still cutting power when the door opens, but the board is still calling for the motor when the door closes.
Can a dirty moisture sensor cause this?
It can confuse Sensor Dry, so the cycle may end too early or run oddly. It usually won't make the drum run after Power is pressed off.
Should I use the dryer if it won't shut off?
No. Turn it off at the breaker or unplug it if you can reach the plug safely. A motor circuit that stays on needs diagnosis before more loads are run.
Still showing the problem after the checks?
Call and describe what you tried. You'll be connected with an independent repair company near you.