How to Test and Replace the Thermal Limiter on a Samsung Dryer

Is your Samsung electric dryer running but not producing heat? Don’t panic, this common issue often comes down to a small but essential part: the thermal limiter. When it fails, your dryer can’t generate heat, leaving you with damp laundry and frustration.

The good news? You can test and replace it yourself with just a few simple steps. We’ll walk you through the process so you can get your dryer back to working.

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 thermal limiter

Follow these steps to access, test, remove, and replace the thermal limiter in your Samsung dryer.

Step 1. Access the thermal limiter

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. Slide the top panel back, lift it up, and set it aside.
4. Disconnect the wires located behind the console on the right.
5. Lift up on the console and pull it away from the dryer while 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 at the top of the front panel.
9. Slightly lift the front panel and rotate it forward.
10. Disconnect the door switch harness.
11. Completely 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 Phillips screws from the top plate and set the plate aside.
16. Remove the four Phillips screws securing the front bulkhead.
17. Disconnect the sensor bar wire connector.
18. Remove the screws securing the lint duct, pull the duct down, and set it aside.
19. Reach back and remove the belt from the idler pulley.
20. Lift the front bulkhead up and pull it forward.
21. Lift the drum off of the rollers and set the bulkhead aside.
22. Remove the drum and belt from the dryer and set them aside.

Step 2. Test the thermal limiter

1. Grab a meter and set it to continuity mode (the symbol looks like a sideways Wi-Fi signal).
2. Remove one wire from the thermal limiter, which is located on the back of the blower to the right.
3. Test the thermal limiter for continuity.
4. If there is no continuity, the thermal limiter must be replaced.
5. If there is continuity, the issue lies elsewhere.

Step 3. Remove the thermal limiter

1. Disconnect the second wire from the thermal limiter.
2. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the mounting screws.
3. Pull the thermal limiter from the dryer.

Step 4. Install the new thermal limiter

1. Insert the new thermal limiter onto the blower housing.
2. Secure it with the Phillips screws.
3. Reconnect the wires to the new thermal limiter.

Step 5. Reassemble the dryer

1. Place the drum and belt back into the dryer.
2. Attach the belt to both the motor and the 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. Reconnect the drum lamp wires.
7. Install 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 earlier from behind the door and at the top.
11. Place the console back onto the dryer, guiding the wires through the top plate.
12. Press the console into place.
13. Reconnect the console wires.
14. Slide the top panel onto the dryer.
15. Secure the top panel with the final screws.
16. Plug the dryer back in or turn the breaker back on to restore power.

More DIY resources

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you test and replace the thermal limiter 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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