If your dryer’s door switch isn’t functioning properly, it can be a real pain to open and close the door whenever you want to start or stop the dryer. Fortunately, there’s a way to bypass the door switch so you can use your dryer without fiddling with the door. What do you need to know?
You can bypass your Maytag dryer door switch by using a piece of wire. Disconnect the two wires attached to the door switch and then connect them with another piece of wire. This will allow the dryer to run even when the door is open. However, this should only be a temporary solution.
In this post, I’ll go over how to bypass your Maytag dryer’s door switch in the event that the door switch breaks. Let’s get started!
1. Unplug the Dryer From the Power Outlet
Bypassing the door switch on your Maytag dryer is similar to the process for a GE model. Before beginning the process of bypassing the door switch on your dryer, you should unplug it from the power outlet. This is important for two reasons:
It prevents the dryer from accidentally turning on while you’re working on it.
It protects you from electrocution. Not unplugging the dryer puts you at risk of electrocution if you inadvertently touch a live wire.
After disconnecting the dryer from the power outlet, remove the lint screen, which is usually located in the front of the dryer.
2. Remove the Two Screws Holding the Door Switch in Place
Locate the screws that hold the door switch in place. Dryers typically have 2 or 3 screws, and they’re located beneath the lint screen. Once you’ve found them, remove them using a Phillips head screwdriver.
Place the screws in a safe place so that you can easily find them later. You should now be able to pull the door switch out of the control panel.
3. Remove the Dryer’s Top Cover
To access the door switch, you’ll need to remove the top cover of the dryer. This may seem like a daunting task, but it’s quite simple. Depress the clips holding the top cover down with a putty knife and a bit of strength. This will remove the top cover, giving you easy access to the door switch.
Rest the top cover against the wall to have enough space to work on the door switch.
4. Disconnect the Wires From the Door Switch
After removing the top cover, use a pair of needle-nose pliers to disconnect the wires from the terminals on the door switch. Before you do this, take note of which wire goes to which terminal, so you can reattach them correctly later. Alternatively, take a photo of the set-up with your phone for easy reference later.
Once the wires are disconnected, you can remove the door switch from the dryer.
5. Use a Small Piece of Wire To Bypass the Door Switch
You can bypass your dryer’s door switch using a small piece of wire. To do this, you’ll need to connect the two wires connected to the switch. Ensure that you use electrical tape to secure the wire in place because this will bypass the switch and allow the dryer to start.
There are a few things to remember when connecting the piece of wire with the disconnected door switch wires:
Be careful not to pinch or damage the wires.
It’s important to know which terminals go where so you don’t accidentally short-circuit the wires and damage your dryer.
6. Reattach the Top Cover and Screw Back the Panel
After successfully bypassing the door switch, you’ll need to reattach your dryer’s top cover and screw the door switch securely in place. Here’s how to do it:
Reattach the top cover by aligning the slots with the dryer’s tabs.
Once the cover is in place, screw the door switch into position with the screws you removed earlier. This keeps anyone, particularly children, from touching the bypassed connection, which could result in electrocution.
Test the dryer to make sure everything is working properly. Once you’ve confirmed that the dryer is working, you’re all done!
If the process for bypassing your Maytag dryer’s door switch seems too daunting, or you’re afraid you’ll make a mistake, consult a technician. In doing so, the technician can get to the bottom of what’s causing the door switch to malfunction and install a new part if needed.
Final Thoughts
Bypassing your Maytag dryer’s door switch is simple. However, many dryer manufacturers will void your warranty if you do this, so be sure to check the status of your warranty.
However, bypassing the door switch can prevent your dryer from overheating and catching fire. It can also prevent it from using more electricity than normal.
By following the steps above, you can bypass your Maytag dryer’s door switch in no time.
