Maytag Bravos XL Dryer Troubleshooting (6 Problems Fixed!)

Name a fast-drying, user-friendly, and good-quality dryer – and most people will direct you to a Maytag Bravos XL. But like every other dryer, Maytag Bravos XL dryers sometimes fail, thus the need for Maytag Bravos XL dryer troubleshooting basics.

With the right troubleshooting basics, you can troubleshoot a Maytag Bravos XL Dryer that will not start, dry completely, or heat up. You can also fix a dryer that overheats, squeals, or does not spin.

Those six problems are going to be our focus today. We’ll look at their probable causes and analyze their best fixes.

Later, we’ll discuss the dryer’s thermal fuse, which is a source of most of these problems when it blows up. I’ll tell you exactly how to test it, what happens when it blows, and what to do to remedy the situation. 

Here we go!

In a hurry? Check out a quick Maytag Bravos XL Dryer troubleshooter on the table below:

Quick Maytag Bravos XL Dryer Troubleshooting Guide

6 Most Common Maytag Bravos XL Dryer Problems Fix Troubleshooting

Discussed are the six most typical issues that Maytag Bravos XL dryer owners have:

1. Maytag Bravos XL Dryer Won’t Start

Here are the possible explanations of why your Maytag Bravos XL dryer won’t start:

Incoming power issue – If your dryer is not starting, there’s always the chance that it doesn’t receive power which could be because of any of the following:

• Faulty electric socket – Use a multimeter to test the electric socket for continuity and fix it if it’s defective. It could be the reason the dryer won’t get any power.
• Defective power cord – Use a multimeter to test the power cord. You can also inspect it for wear and breakage and replace it if it looks faulty. Also, ensure you plug it in properly.
• Tripped circuit breaker – Check the circuit breaker as it could be tripped due to an electrical fault.

Blown thermal fuse – The fuse will blow up if the dryer overheats. Test its continuity with a multimeter and replace it if it fails the multimeter continuity test.

Wrongly latched dryer door – Ensure you properly latch your dryer door as it could be why the dryer won’t start.

Control lock engaged – Check the dryer’s display panel to see if the control lock is on and turn it off. It could be the reason your Bravos XL dryer won’t start.

Wrong setting – Ensure you choose the right dryer setting. Preferably, go for Normal, Automatic, or Timed Drying, depending on the laundry.

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Faulty dryer component – Your Bravos XL dryer may also fail to start if any of its features below if defective:

• Switch (start, belt, or door switch) – If the start switch, belt switch, or door switch is faulty, the dryer won’t start. So, test each with a multimeter and replace what’s defective.
• Timer – A malfunctioning timer won’t pass the correct message to the dryer’s control board, causing it not to start. It’s another component to replace if it fails the multimeter continuity test.
• Drive motor – If the drive motor is noisy or burnt, replace it as it is faulty.
• Drive belt – A broken drive belt may prevent the dryer from starting or spinning. So, replace your drive belt if it’s broken. 
• Main control – If all the above dryer components are okay, but the dryer still won’t start, it might be the right time to replace the main control board. But before you do, have an expert examine the dryer.

2. Maytag Bravos XL Dryer Not Drying Completely (or Takes Too Long)

Some situations cause the dryer not to dry the laundry entirely, or it may take time to reach the desired dryness level. They include the following:

Clogged lint screen, air vent, link filter, or blower wheel – The lint screen, air vent, lint filter, or blower wheel may clog with lint or dirt, causing the dryer to take too long or not dry at all. So, check them and clean them.

Large load – Lastly, reduce your laundry load size to ensure it dries completely.

Faulty dryer component – The dryer component, in this case, include:

• Thermistor – A malfunctioning thermostat won’t monitor the drying temperature, so the dryer may fail to heat up. So, test it with a multimeter and get a replacement if it’s faulty.
• Gas valve solenoid – A defective gas valve solenoid interrupts the gas supply to the burner, limiting the dryer from drying. You can also test its continuity and replace it if faulty.
• Moisture sensor – A faulty moisture sensor can indicate that the clothes are dry when they aren’t, thus the need to replace it.

3. Maytag Bravos XL Dryer Not Heating

Sometimes the Maytag Bravos XL dryer may start but fail to heat up. If that’s your case, the reason could be one of these:

Incoming power issue – Use the tips shared earlier to check and fix the circuit breaker, thermal fuse, power cord, and electric outlet if any are faulty.

Burnt heating element – A burnt heat element won’t heat your dryer. You’ll need to replace it if it shows any burnt signs.

Faulty dryer component – If one of these components is defective, your dryer won’t heat:

• Cycling or high-limit thermostat – A faulty cycling or high-limit thermostat will shut off the dryer’s burner, causing it not to heat. Thus, test them with a multimeter and replace whatever is faulty.
• Gas valve solenoid – A bad gas valve solenoid prevents gas flow, stopping the dryer from heating. Hence, replace it if it fails the multimeter continuity test.
• Thermistor – Replace the thermistor too if it fails the multimeter continuity test as it prevents the dryer from heating up if faulty.
• Igniter – A faulty igniter means no ignition or burning. For that reason, replace the igniter if it fails the multimeter continuity test.
• Timer – Though the timer is the least likely to be faulty, test it with a multimeter and replace it if it fails the multimeter continuity test.
• Flame sensor – A faulty flame sensor won’t sense any heat the flame emits. Subsequently, the dryer won’t heat. Replace it if it fails the multimeter continuity test.
• Main control – If none of the above dryer components is faulty, the chances are that the main control is terrible. Have an expert test it and replace it if it’s defective.

4. Dryer Is Overheating 

At times, the Bravos XL dryer may heat up but gets to the point of overdoing it. If that’s the case, it’s often because of one of these issues:

• Faulty cycling or high limit thermostat – A defective thermostat compels the dryer to retain heat for too long. You should test the cycling and high limit thermostat with a multimeter and replace the faulty one.
• Partially shortened heating element – A partially short-circuited heating element will continue heating beyond the acceptable limit, causing the dryer to overheat.  Replace it if that’s the case.
• Obstructed blower wheel – Lint or clothes may block the blower wheel. If that’s the case, the dryer may overheat. So, you need to find the obstruction and remove it.
• Defective felt seal – A missing or faulty felt seal retains heat in the drum, causing the dryer to overheat. Inspect it and replace it if defective.

5. Dryer Is Not Spinning 

If your Maytag Bravos XL doesn’t spin even after powering up, the reason could be any of the following:

Broken/frayed drive belt – A broken/frayed drive belt won’t turn the dryer until you change it.

Overheated drive motor – An overheated drive motor fails to turn the drive belt. So the dryer won’t spin until you replace it.

Wrong setting – The dryer may stop spinning if you select an incorrect cycle. So, re-check the spin setting to ensure it’s correct. You can opt for ‘Normal’ to save energy, Timed-drying for clothes that need more extended drying, or Automatic Drying for regular cycling.

Worn-out parts – If any of these dryer parts are worn out, the dryer won’t spin:

• Drum roller – Worn-out drum rollers make it hard for the drum to turn until you replace them.
• Drum bearing – Faulty drum bearing interferes with the drum spinning. So, check it out and replace it if it’s rusty or worn.
• Drum glides – Since the dryer drum slides on the glide/slides, it won’t be able to do it if the drum glides are faulty. So, replace them if that’s the case.
• Idler pulley – The dryer won’t spin if the idler pulley is worn out, broken, or stuck. You’ll need to replace it if that’s the case with it.

6. Maytag Bravos XL Dryer Squealing

If your dryer is squealing when running, check out the following possibilities:

• Faulty/broken drive belt – A faulty or broken drive belt may produce a squealing sound when turning. Thus, replace it.
• Worn out slides, drum, bearing, or idler pulley – If either the slides, drum bearing, or idler pulley is worn out, the dryer may squeal. So, inspect the dryer components and replace what’s faulty.

Maytag Bravos XL Dryer Thermal Fuse Problems

As you might have perceived, some of the issues shared, like a dryer that won’t start or one that won’t heat, are associated with a blown-up fuse, though it’s not a probable cause.

Overall, a thermal fuse blows up when the Maytag dryer overheats to protect it from damage. So, a dryer won’t start or heat if it’s blown. You can test it with a multimeter. If it shows no continuity, replace it .

People Also Ask

1. How Do I Reset My Maytag Bravos XL Dryer?

You can reset a Maytag Bravos XL dryer by unplugging its power cord for about 60 seconds. If the dryer doesn’t reset when you plug the cable back, press ‘power/cancel,’ choose a cycle, and then press start.

2. Where Is the Thermal Fuse On a Maytag Bravos XL Dryer?

Depending on the model, you can locate the thermal fuse on Maytag Bravos XL on the burner, heating element, or blower housing. So, consult your manual before doing any Maytag Bravos XL dryer disassembly trying to find the fuse.

3. Why will My Maytag Bravos Dryer Not Start?

Your Maytag Bravos dryer fails to start because of a faulty electric socket, circuit breaker, power cord, thermal fuse, or start switch. It could also be due to the Control Lock function being on, an improperly latched door, or a faulty switch, timer, drive belt, main control, or drive motor.

Closing Remarks 

Above is a Maytag Bravos XL dryer troubleshooting guide when your Bravos XL dryer develops an issue. So, before you can call a Maytag or a technician, try the ideas shared in troubleshooting the unit.

Also Read:

• Troubleshooting Maytag Bravos Dryer Problems
• Troubleshooting Maytag Bravos XL Washer Problems
• Common Maytag Bravos MCT Washer Problems