How to Test and Replace the Thermistor on a Samsung Dryer

Is your Samsung dryer not heating properly or shutting off too soon? You might be dealing with a faulty thermistor, a small but important part that helps regulate temperature. If it’s not working, your dryer won’t perform as it should, whether it’s gas or electric. Let’s walk through the signs of a failing thermistor and how you can fix it without calling in the pros.

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 thermistor

Follow these steps to access, test, remove, and replace the thermistor in a Samsung dryer to restore proper function.

Access the thermistor

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. Disconnect the wires behind the console on the right.
4. Lift the console and pull it away from the dryer while feeding the wires through the top bracket. Set the console aside.
5. Remove the two screws located behind the door in front of the lint trap.
6. Remove the four screws at the top of the front panel.
7. Slightly lift the front panel and rotate it forward.
8. Disconnect the door switch harness and completely remove the front panel. Set it aside.

Remove additional components

1. Remove the lint filter.
2. Unlatch the wire retainers from the wire harness.
3. Disconnect the wires from the drum lamp.
4. Remove the five screws from the top plate using a Phillips screwdriver and set it aside.
5. Remove the four screws from the front bulkhead.
6. Disconnect the sensor bar wire connector.
7. Remove the screws from the lint duct, pull the duct down, and set it aside.
8. Reach back and remove the belt from the idler pulley.
9. Lift the front bulkhead up and pull it forward.
10. Lift the drum off the rollers and set the bulkhead to the side.

Locate the thermistor

1. Find the thermistor near the motor on the back of the blower housing.
2. Disconnect the wires attached to the thermistor.

Test the thermistor

1. Set a multimeter to resistance mode (Ω), indicated by an upside-down horseshoe symbol.
2. Place one probe on the blue wire and the other on the red wire.
3. Check the resistance reading. It should be approximately 10K Ohms at a room temperature of 77°F.
4. If the reading is outside of the 10 percent range, the thermistor is faulty and must be replaced.
5. If the reading is within range, continue troubleshooting.

NOTE: Generally, for every 1 degree in temperature difference, 2 Ohms could be added or subtracted. If the temperature in your home is cooler, resistance would be subtracted.

Remove the faulty thermistor

1. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the mounting screws securing the thermistor.
2. Pull the thermistor out of the blower housing.

Install the new thermistor

1. Insert the new thermistor into the blower housing.
2. Secure it with the Phillips screws removed earlier.
3. Reconnect the wires to the thermistor.

Reassemble the dryer

1. Reinstall the drum and belt.
2. Secure the belt to the motor and idler pulley.
3. Install the front bulkhead and secure it with the Phillips screws.
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, reconnect the door switch wires, and rotate the panel into place.
9. Secure the front panel with the screws removed from behind the door and at the top.
10. Reinstall the console by setting it in place, guiding the wires through the top plate, and pushing it into position.
11. Reconnect the console wires.
12. Slide the top panel back onto the dryer and secure it with the final screws.
13. Plug the dryer back in or turn the breaker back on.

Need more help?

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you test and replace the thermistor 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.

Follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram to see our latest repair guides!