Troubleshooting a Samsung Dryer Steam Setting Not Working

Are you frustrated that your Samsung dryer won’t produce steam on the steam cycle? Don’t worry, we got you! Here’s why it’s happening and how you can solve it without calling a pro.

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
• Channel lock pliers
• Phillips screwdriver

Safety precautions

When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. 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 troubleshoot a Samsung dryer that does not produce steam

Below are the steps to diagnose and fix a Samsung dryer that does not produce steam when set to the steam setting. We’ll help identify whether the issue is with the steam valve or the main control board.

Step 1: Check the water supply valve

1. Disconnect power to the dryer by unplugging the power cord or turning off the circuit breaker.
2. Turn off the water supply valve to the dryer.
3. Use channel lock pliers to remove the water hose from the valve.
4. Inspect the valve for debris that might be clogging it. If it is clear, proceed to test the main control.

Step 2: Access the main control

1. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the top panel at the back of the dryer.
2. Slide the top panel back, lift it up, and set it aside.
3. Locate the main control housing and remove the three mounting screws securing it to the front and side frame using a Phillips screwdriver.
4. Carefully rotate the main control to access the wires.
5. Place the housing on the frame of the dryer while testing.

Step 3: Test for live voltage

LIVE VOLTAGE WARNING: For this test, the dryer needs to be plugged in and powered on. Please be very careful to protect yourself from electric shock, which has the potential to cause serious injuries. Don’t ever test live voltage if you’re uncomfortable using a multimeter.

1. Plug the dryer power cord back in to test for live voltage.
2. Set a multimeter to Volts AC, indicated by a “V” with a squiggly line.
3. Place the black probe of the multimeter on the black wire at connection CN7 and leave it in place.
4. Use the red probe to test the white wire at connection CN5, which is located to the right of CN7.
5. Start a steam cycle and check for 120 Volts AC within two minutes.
6. If voltage is present, move the red probe to the red wire at CN5 and check for the same voltage reading.
7. If voltage is not detected at the red wire, wait another two minutes and test again, as the control board intermittently supplies voltage to the valve solenoids every two minutes.

Step 4: Evaluate the test results

1. If voltage is present but steam does not enter the drum, the steam valve has failed and needs to be replaced.
2. If no voltage is detected when testing the white and red wires, the main control has failed and needs to be replaced.

Stay connected

Thanks for taking the time to check us out! Hope this guide did the trick for your Samsung dryer. If you’ve got other projects to tackle, why not browse our troubleshooting guides and videos for more tips? If you need any replacement parts, head over to AppliancePartsPros.com with your model number. You can also chat with a pro, compare images and wiring diagrams and read our blog. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram for more inspiration!