Maytag Bravos Dryer Won't Start?

A Maytag Bravos dryer won’t start when power, door latch, start-hold, control lock, or a failed fuse, belt switch, or motor blocks the cycle.

Can’t Get A Maytag Bravos Dryer To Start? Causes And Fixes

Start with the easy wins, then move toward parts that fail more often on older units.

Quick Triage Table

Symptom	Likely Cause	What To Do
Panel lights up, no tumble	Start button not held; control lock active	Hold Start 2–5 seconds; turn off Control Lock
No lights at all	Tripped breaker, loose plug, bad outlet	Reset breaker; reseat plug; test outlet with another device
Clicks but stops	Door switch or latch out of position	Close firmly; check strike and switch travel
Starts once, then dead	Blown thermal fuse from vent blockage	Test fuse; clear vent; replace fuse
Timer counts, drum still	Belt switch open or belt broken	Inspect belt; test belt switch continuity
Hums, no spin	Seized motor or jammed blower	Spin drum by hand; check for obstructions
LOC or LC on screen	Control lock enabled	Press and hold the lock key 3 seconds
PF or recent outage	Power loss during last cycle	Clear code; restart cycle

Safety First

Unplug the dryer or switch off the breaker before removing panels or touching wiring. Keep metal tools away from live parts. If gas, close the supply valve before pulling the unit forward.

Basic Tools That Help

Phillips screwdriver and nut driver for top and front panels.
Needle-nose pliers for harness clips and spring clamps.
Multimeter with continuity and AC voltage ranges.
Flashlight and a short mirror to see the idler and belt path.
Shop-vac and brush kit for the lint chute and vent run.

Fast Checks With No Tools

Confirm Power

Electric models need a full 240 V supply from a paired breaker. One half can trip while the other stays on, leaving lights active but no motor. Flip both breakers fully off, then on.

Hold Start, Don’t Tap

Many Bravos panels require a firm press and hold for at least a second. A quick tap won’t engage the relay. Console guides note the hold timing; see the Start button note.

Turn Off Control Lock

LOC or a small padlock icon means the console is locked and won’t accept Start. Press and hold the Control Lock key for three seconds until the countdown clears.

Shut The Door With Authority

The door switch must click and the strike must land in the latch. Push at the 3 o’clock edge. If the drum light stays on with the door closed, replace or realign the switch and strike.

Pick A Real Cycle

Air-only, timed dry, or a paused cycle can fool you. Set a standard sensor cycle, pick Medium heat, press and hold Start. If the timer runs with no motion, jump to the belt switch section.

Step-By-Step Fixes

Door Switch And Latch

Pull the plug. Remove the top panel screws at the back and slide the top forward. Find the small switch near the door latch. With the harness unplugged, test for continuity with the button pressed. No continuity means a bad switch. Replace the switch and confirm the strike is straight.

Start Button Or Start Relay

Some Bravos models use a push-to-start switch; others use a membrane key on the console tied to a relay on the board. If the console responds to other keys but Start won’t latch the motor, test the switch for continuity while pressed. For a touch panel, reseat the ribbon cable. Replace the user interface or the main board if the relay is burned.

Control Lock Details

On many panels the lock is a dual-use key. Hold the labeled key for a three-to-one countdown, then try Start again.

Thermal Fuse

A blown fuse kills the motor circuit. Pull one harness lead and check continuity. If open, clean the vent path end to end, then replace the fuse.

Belt And Belt Switch

Open the front panel. If the belt is off, the idler switch opens and the dryer won’t start. Loop the belt around the drum, motor, and idler in the standard path and test the switch for continuity with the idler engaged. Replace a cracked belt on sight.

Drive Motor

Turn the drum by hand. If the motor hums and trips, check the blower wheel for a clog. If clear, replace the motor.

Main Control Board

Boards fail less often than fuses, switches, or belts. If inputs are good and Start still doesn’t energize the relay, replace the board and recheck the harness.

Model-Specific Notes For Bravos

Hold-To-Start Timing

Some consoles need a one-second hold, others two to five seconds. If you hear a short beep and nothing else, you likely released early. Press and hold until the drum moves.

Error Text On Screen

LOC or LC means the lock is on; PF points to a recent outage. Clear the message, then start a normal cycle.

Gas Versus Electric

Both use the same start chain. Gas adds an igniter and valves, but those parts do not stop a motor from starting. Focus on power, door, controls, belt path, and fuses first.

When The Panel Lights But Nothing Moves

Run This Short Path

Hold Start for a full two seconds.
Turn off Control Lock.
Open and close the door with a firm push.
Set a standard cycle, then try again.
If still silent, test door switch, belt switch, and thermal fuse.

Moist Console After Steam Cycles

Condensation can sit on a touch panel and confuse key presses. Wipe it dry and wait five minutes. Try Start again. If the console still misreads, unplug for one minute to reset the board.

Testing Parts With A Meter

Most no-start cases fall with two tests: continuity and supply checks. Use the harness plugs, not bare wires.

Continuity Targets

Door switch: closed when pressed.
Thermal fuse: closed at room temp.
Belt switch: closed with idler engaged.
Start switch: closed while pressed.

Supply Checks

Outlet: two hot legs measure ~240 V; each hot to neutral ~120 V.
Ground: tight and present at the cord block.

Reference Table For Tests

Part	How To Test	Pass/Fail
Door switch	Continuity while button in	Closed = pass; open = bad
Thermal fuse	Continuity at room temp	Closed = pass; open = bad
Belt switch	Continuity with idler tension	Closed = pass; open = bad
Start switch	Continuity when pressed	Closed = pass; open = bad
Outlet	Meter from hot to hot	~240 V = pass

Vent And Airflow Matter

Poor airflow overheats the heater box and blows the fuse. Brush the entire run, elbows, and wall hood. Keep the duct short and smooth.

Parts That Often Fix A No-Start

Top swaps on older Bravos lines are door switches, thermal fuses, belts, idlers, and push-to-start keys. Boards and motors land less often, but they do land. Match parts by model tag inside the door.

When To Call A Tech

Call a pro when the outlet reads wrong, the harness is scorched, or the motor trips the breaker. A licensed tech can pull amp draws under load, check relay logic, and source OEM parts fast.

After The Fix

Run a timed dry test with an empty drum for two minutes. Listen for clean startup, steady spin, and normal air at the vent with even airflow. Then run a small load to confirm the auto cycle starts and ends without errors.

Helpful References For Maytag Bravos

For model-specific steps, see the no-start help page for button names, lock toggles, latch cues, and breaker checks.