Samsung dryers are equipped with a cooling feature called “Cool Down” mode. It prevents wrinkles, cools down the dryer’s internal components, and prolongs the life of the appliance by being triggered whenever there’s overheating. However, sometimes Samsung dryers become stuck in cooling mode even when there are no other signs of a problem.
A Samsung dryer stuck in “Cool Down” mode may be due to dirty sensors, control board issues, blocked vents, or a blown thermal fuse. Possible fixes include cleaning the sensors, removing dust from the electrical components, cleaning the vents, or replacing the thermal fuse.
This article explores four possible reasons a Samsung dryer may be stuck on the cooling cycle and their potential fixes.
1. Sensor Bars Need Cleaning
On a Samsung dryer, the cooling light remains on throughout the “Automatic Moisture Sensing” cycle. The cooling light flashes to indicate the “Cool Down” mode has commenced. However, if the light flashes throughout the cycle, it’s possible there’s an issue with the moisture sensors.
How To Fix
You can troubleshoot the problem by attempting a “Time Dry” cycle. If the dryer successfully heats on this setting, it’s likely the sensors are malfunctioning.
On the other hand, if the light doesn’t flash before the dryer ends the cycle, it’s unlikely the moisture-sensing bars are the cause of the Samsung dryer being stuck in the cooling cycle.
After prolonged use, sensor bars on a Samsung dryer become covered in a film of residue or lint that can prevent them from working effectively.
Here’s how to clean the moisture sensors on a Samsung dryer:
Locate the sensor bars. Open the dryer door and look next to the lint trap. This is where you’ll find the sensors.
Use a mild soap and water to clean the sensors. Dip a clean, lint-free cloth in warm, soapy water. Gently wipe away any residue until the sensors are clean.
Allow the sensors to dry completely. Wait to run the dryer until the water has completely evaporated.
2. Control Board Problem
Modern appliances like Samsung dryers use internal computers to keep things running smoothly. The control board controls how the dryer works and reads user input. When a control board on a Samsung dryer malfunctions, it can cause the appliance to stay in “Cool Down” mode and fail to respond to user commands.
How To Fix
Unfortunately, control boards are expensive to replace and require some degree of technical knowledge as they’re essentially computer motherboards. It’s best tolet Samsung handle this issue, especially if your dryer is still covered under warranty.
If the dryer is no longer under warranty, there are a couple of things you can try:
Double-check the cycle settings. It’s important to check and make sure you’re actually running the dryer on a cycle that uses heat.
Clean the electrical components. Access the control panel and internal wiring. These areas may become dusty over time, so you’ll want to ensure they’re clean. Use compressed air to blow the dust away, and then vacuum the loose debris.
If these simple fixes fail, you’ll need to call Samsung support or reach out to an appliance repair technician to diagnose and fix a problem with the control board.
3. Vent Is Blocked
As mentioned, Samsung dryers have built-in safety features to protect from fire hazards. One of these is shutting off the heating element when sensors detect overheating. Not regularly cleaning the lint trap can lead to excessive lint buildup, which can cause a blocked vent or duct. In turn, this can cause a dryer to overheat and the dryer to remain in the “Cool Down” cycle.
How To Fix
If the problem is a clogged lint trap or blocked vent, you’ll have to clean the lint filter and clear the blockage.
Here’s how to clean the lint trap on a Samsung dryer:
Turn off the dryer. Remove all power to the dryer by unplugging it from the wall.
Remove the lint trap from its housing. The lint trap is located just inside the dryer door along the bottom rim.
Clean the lint filter. Run your hand along the front and back of the filter to remove lint buildup. Discard the lint.
Remove lint from the lint trap housing. Use a vacuum or large pipe cleaner to clear debris from the housing.
Reattach the lint filter. Slide it back into its housing and close the dryer door.
The lint filter should be cleaned before or after every drying cycle to prevent lint buildup and blockages.
Note: For an excessively clogged lint filter, you can put it under running water. Allow it to dry completely before reinserting it into the lint trap housing.
Here’s how to clean the ventilation system on a Samsung dryer:
Access the back of the dryer. The vent on the dryer looks like a silver accordion-like tube. It’s usually made from aluminum.
Detach the vent hose. The hose may be connected to the dryer using a dryer hose clamp or foil tape. If it’s foil tape, you’ll need to purchase more tape to reattach the hose once you’ve finished cleaning the vent.
Clear out the lint. Use a duct cleaner to loosen lint and debris inside the dryer vent. Vacuum the loose dust to remove it.
Remove lint from the back of the dryer. The access point for the duct should also be cleaned. Use the duct cleaner to loosen the debris and vacuum it away.
Check the outside exhaust vent. The dryer vent attaches to an exterior wall to release moisture outdoors. Check this outside vent to ensure it’s free of obstruction.
It’s essential to regularly clean your vents to prevent lint buildup. Another way to avoid clogs is to do the following:
Select a properly fitted dryer duct. The aluminum tube should be adequately secured to the back of the dryer and the outside exhaust vent. There should be no holes, openings, gaps, bumps, or other abnormalities where air can escape or lint could accumulate.
Choose the shortest tube possible. The length of the aluminum accordion tube should be as short as possible from the back of the dryer to the outside vent. The user guide that came with your Samsung dryer should have specific recommendations regarding minimum and maximum lengths.
Keep the vent straight. There should be no kinks, twists, or compressions of the tube.
4. Faulty Thermal Fuse
If none of the above fixes remedy the issue with your Samsung dryer staying in the cooling cycle, it’s possible there’s an issue with the thermal fuse. The thermal fuse is another safety component that shuts off the heating element in case of overheating.
However, if the thermal fuse malfunctions, the system cannot accurately detect whether the dryer is heating or not. As such, the dryer may remain in “Cool Down” mode as a safety measure.
How To Fix
Before replacing any parts, you’ll want to diagnose whether the thermal fuse is actually causing the Samsung dryer to remain stuck in cooling mode. Here’s how:
Shut off the dryer. Remove all power to the appliance by unplugging it from the outlet. Alternatively, you can turn off the circuit to the dryer from the electric panel.
Access the back of the dryer. Remove the back panel according to the instructions in the Samsung user manual. This usually involves taking out a few screws.
Remove the heating element. The thermal fuse is located in the heater assembly.
Locate the thermal fuse. This is connected to the heating element with blue and black wires and is within a small bracket.
Test the fuse. Use a multimeter to test the fuse. If you’re not getting any signs of continuity, the fuse needs to be replaced.
Here’s a YouTube video on how to locate and replace the thermal fuse on a Samsung dryer:
Summary
When a Samsung dryer is stuck in cooling mode, it could be due to lint or fabric softener residue on the moisture sensors, a dirty or malfunctioning control board, a blocked ventilation system, or a faulty thermal fuse.
Possible fixes can be simple or complex, depending on the issue. For example, a control board malfunctioning due to dust buildup is a much easier fix than a control board that’s fried. If the fixes in this article fail to solve the issue, you’ll need to contact Samsung support to have the problem diagnosed and repaired by a technician.
