As with any appliance in your home, your Samsung dryer may occasionally experience some problems. One such problem is when the dryer fails to start, and an hourglass symbol appears on display.

Your Samsung dryer won’t start, and the hourglass symbol appears because it’s not receiving power, so check the outlet. Your dryer may not be properly closed, so check the latch. Also, ensure the start button, dryer belt, and control panel are working. You might need to clear out your lint filter.
In this article, I’ll look at some of the most common reasons why your Samsung dryer won’t start the hourglass symbol. I’ll also provide some tips on how to fix the problem so that you can get your dryer up and running again as quickly as possible.
1. Your Dryer Isn’t Plugged Into an Outlet
An unplugged dryer will prevent it from starting the hourglass symbol because it must be plugged into an outlet to receive power. If the dryer is not plugged in, it cannot start.
How To Fix
To fix this issue, you must ensure that the dryer is plugged in and test the outlet to see if it is working. If the outlet is not working, you may need to replace it. If the dryer is plugged in and the outlet is working, but it still won’t start, the problem may be with the dryer itself.

2. Your Dryer Is Not Properly Closed
If your dryer is not starting the hourglass symbol, one of the first things you should check is whether the door is properly closed. If the door is open, then the dryer will not start.
This safety feature is designed to prevent the dryer from starting if the door is not closed. The dryer door has a switch that must be turned on (by closing the door) for the dryer to start.
How To Fix
There are a few things you can do to troubleshoot this problem:
- Check the door and see if it’s fully closed. If the door is not completely closed, then the dryer won’t start.
- Second, make sure that the latch is engaged. If the latch is not engaged, the dryer switch will not turn on, and the dryer won’t start.
- Check the door to see if the switch is working properly. If not, you may need to replace the door switch.
The video below explains how to replace a defective door switch:
3. Your Dryer’s Start Button Is Not Working
If your Samsung dryer’s start button is faulty, it can prevent it from starting, making the hourglass symbol dormant.
The start button is a small switch on the dryer’s control panel. When you press the start button, it signals the dryer’s control board to start the drying cycle. If the start button is not working properly, the dryer will not start.
How To Fix
There are a few things that you can do to troubleshoot a faulty start button. Start by checking the start button to ensure it’s properly seated in the control panel. If the button is loose, tighten it with a screwdriver. If the button is defective, you will need to replace it.

Once you have checked the start button, try pressing the button multiple times to see if the dryer will start.
Related Posts:
- Samsung Dryer Keeps Running at 1 Minute – Causes + Solutions
- Samsung Dryer Display Symbols – What Do They Mean?
4. The Lint Filter Is Full
Most people don’t realize that their clothes dryer has a lint filter. This small, often overlooked component is crucial to the proper functioning of your dryer. A lint filter catches the lint produced during the drying cycle and prevents it from entering the dryer’s exhaust duct.
If the lint filter is not cleaned regularly, it can become clogged. A clogged lint filter will prevent your Samsung dryer from starting, leading it to show the hourglass symbol.
How To Fix
To clean the lint filter, remove it from the dryer and wash it with water only. Allow the filter to dry completely before putting it back in the dryer. Cleaning the filter should fix the issue, and your dryer should start working.
Watch the video below to learn how to maintain the cleanliness of your Samsung lint filter:
5. The Dryer Belt Is Broken
If your Samsung dryer doesn’t start and shows you the hourglass symbol, a possible reason may be a broken dryer belt. The dryer belt is a long, thin belt that turns the dryer’s drum. If the dryer belt is broken, the drum won’t rotate; therefore, the dryer won’t work.
How To Fix
To check if the dryer belt is broken, open the door and look at the drum. The dryer belt is probably broken if you heard thumping noises or had issues with the drum turning before your dryer stopped working.
You’ll need to remove the dryer drum to replace the dryer belt. Once the dryer drum is removed, you can access the belt and replace it with a new one.
Here’s a video to help you understand how to replace your dryer’s belt:
6. Your Dryer’s Control Panel Is Defective
The control panel is the brain of the dryer, and if it’s defective, It can cause the hourglass symbol not to start.
A few things can cause a control panel to become defective. The most common cause is a power surge. Power surges can happen when the power goes out and come back on. They can also happen if you use too much power from an outlet with insufficient voltage.
Another cause of a defective control panel is a manufacturing defect. Sometimes, the control panel is simply not made correctly and must be replaced.
How To Fix
If you have a defective control panel, the best thing to do is to call Samsung and have them send you a new one. You can also try to find a replacement control panel online, but be aware that you might not be able to find an exact match.

Summary
There are several reasons why your Samsung dryer might not be starting and showing the hourglass symbol. The most common reason is that the dryer is not getting enough power. Other possible reasons include a defective start button, door switch, or dryer belt. If you cannot resolve the problem, you should contact Samsung service or call a qualified service technician for assistance.