How to Test and Replace the High-limit Thermostat on a Samsung Dryer

Ever thrown in a load of laundry only to find your Samsung dryer isn’t heating properly or keeps shutting off? The culprit might be a faulty high-limit thermostat. This small but essential part is designed to prevent overheating, but when it malfunctions, it can leave your clothes damp and your frustration high. Wondering how to tell if yours is bad—and what to do about it? We’ve got you covered with simple testing and replacement tips to get your gas or electric dryer back in working order.

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 precautions

Your safety should always be the top priority when performing any appliance repair.

• 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.

Disassembly and Testing Steps

Below are the steps to access, test, remove, and replace the high-limit thermostat in a Samsung dryer.

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 of the dryer.
3. Slide the top panel toward the rear, lift it up, and set it aside.
4. Disconnect the wires behind the console on the right.
5. Lift the console upward and pull it away from the dryer by feeding the wires through the top bracket.
6. Set the console aside.
7. Remove the two screws behind the door in front of the lint trap using a Phillips screwdriver.
8. Remove the four screws securing the top of the front panel.
9. Slightly lift the front panel and rotate it forward.
10. Disconnect the door switch harness.
11. Fully remove the front panel and set it aside.
12. Remove the lint filter and set it aside.
13. Unlatch the wire retainers from the wire harness.
14. Disconnect the wires from the drum lamp.
15. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the five screws from the top plate.
16. Set the top plate aside.
17. Remove the four screws securing the front bulkhead.
18. Disconnect the sensor bar wire connector.
19. Remove the screws securing the lint duct.
20. Pull the lint duct down and set it aside.
21. Reach back and remove the belt from the idler pulley.
22. Lift the front bulkhead up and pull it forward.
23. Lift the drum off of the rollers and set the bulkhead aside.
24. Remove the drum and belt and place them aside.
25. Set a multimeter to continuity mode (the setting that looks like a sideways Wi-Fi symbol).
26. Remove one wire from the high-limit thermostat.
27. Test for continuity by placing the multimeter probes on the terminals.
28. If there is no continuity, the high-limit thermostat has failed and needs replacement.
29. If continuity is present, another component is causing the issue.

Installation and Reassembly Steps

1. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the mounting screws from the high-limit thermostat.
2. Carefully pull the thermostat out of the element housing.
3. Insert the new high-limit thermostat into the element housing.
4. Secure it with the Phillips screws removed earlier.
5. Reconnect the wires to the new thermostat.
6. Install the drum and belt, making sure the belt is properly attached to the motor and idler pulley.
7. Position the front bulkhead and secure it with the Phillips screws.
8. Reconnect the sensor bar wires.
9. Install the lint filter housing.
10. Reconnect the drum lamp wires.
11. Secure the wire harness using the retainers.
12. Install the top plate.
13. Guide the front panel onto the bottom hinges.
14. Connect the door switch wires.
15. Rotate the front panel into place.
16. Secure the front panel using the screws removed from behind the door and at the top.
17. Reattach the console by guiding the wires through the top plate and securing it.
18. Connect the console wires.
19. Check that all wires are properly reconnected.
20. Slide the top panel back onto the dryer.
21. Secure the top panel with the final screws.
22. Plug the dryer back in or turn the breaker back on.

More Info

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you test and replace the high-limit thermostat 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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