How to Test and Replace the Belt Switch on a Samsung Dryer

Is your Samsung electric or gas dryer not starting or stopping mid-cycle? A faulty belt switch could be the culprit. This small but important part detects whether the drive belt is intact, and if it fails, your dryer won’t run properly.

We’ll show you how to test and replace it so you can get your dryer working again without calling a repair service.

If you need any replacement parts for your Samsung dryer, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to order them. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of free guides to show you how to install your new parts.

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

What you need

• Multimeter
• Phillips screwdriver

Safety tips

When working on any appliance, always keep safety first to avoid personal injury or damage to the appliance or its parts. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before you attempt any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by eliminating any risk of electric shock. 
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it. 
• Take your time while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries. Rushing is the enemy of precision.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can see and access appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part. 
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Always take photos or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting them to make reassembly easier.
• Don’t test live voltage with a multimeter if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short-circuiting.
• Consider wearing safety glasses and/or a dust mask when working with chemicals, dust, or a large amount of debris to prevent irritation or injury.
• Turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs. Keep towels ready to catch any residual water in the system when removing parts.

How to test and replace the Samsung dryer’s belt switch

Here are the steps to access, test, replace, and reassemble the belt switch on a Samsung dryer.

Access the belt switch

1. Disconnect power to the dryer by unplugging the power cord or turning off the circuit breaker.
2. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the top panel at the back.
3. Move the top panel to the back, lift it up, and set it to the side.
4. Disconnect the wires behind the console on the right.
5. Lift up on the console and pull it away from the dryer, feeding the wires through the top bracket.
6. Set the console to the side.
7. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws behind the door in front of the lint trap.
8. Remove the four screws at the top of the front panel.
9. Slightly lift the front panel and rotate it forward.
10. Disconnect the door switch harness and remove the front panel completely, setting it aside.
11. Remove the lint filter and set it aside.

Remove internal components

1. Unlatch the wire retainers from the wire harness.
2. Disconnect the wires from the drum lamp.
3. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the five screws securing the top plate, then remove and set it aside.
4. Remove the four screws securing the front bulkhead and disconnect the sensor bar wire connector.
5. Take out the screws from the lint duct, pull the duct down, and set it aside.
6. Reach back and remove the belt from the idler pulley.
7. Lift the front bulkhead up, pull it forward, and set it aside.
8. Lift the drum off of the rollers and remove the drum and belt, setting them aside.

Test the belt switch

1. Set a multimeter to continuity mode.
2. Remove the wires from the belt switch.
3. Test for continuity while lifting the idler pulley off the switch arm.
4. If there is no continuity, the belt switch needs to be replaced. If continuity is detected, another issue is causing the problem.

Replace the belt switch

1. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the mounting screws securing the belt switch to the motor mount.
2. Remove the old belt switch and install the new one.
3. Secure the new belt switch with the Phillips screws.
4. Connect the belt switch wires.

Reassemble the dryer

1. Place the dryer drum and belt back into position.
2. Attach the belt to the motor and idler pulley.
3. Install the front bulkhead and secure it with the Phillips screws removed earlier.
4. Reconnect the sensor bar wires.
5. Install the lint filter housing.
6. Connect the drum lamp wires.
7. Reinstall the top plate and secure the wire harness with the retainers.
8. Guide the front panel onto the bottom hinges.
9. Reconnect the door switch wires.
10. Rotate the front panel into place and secure it with the screws removed from behind the door and at the top.
11. Set the console back in place, guiding the wires through the top plate.
12. Push the console into position and reconnect the console wires.
13. Slide the top panel onto the dryer and secure it with the final screws.
14. Plug the dryer back in or turn the breaker back on.

More DIY resources

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you test and replace the belt switch in your Samsung dryer. 

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We have over two million parts in stock and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

While you’re waiting for your new part to arrive, you can explore our DIY blog and watch thousands of video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

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