--- title: "Dryer Control Panel Not Responding: Causes and Fixes" description: "Buttons do nothing, the dial turns without effect, or the display is frozen or flickering." url: "https://dryerrepair.center/problems/control-panel-not-responding/" --- # Dryer Control Panel Not Responding Buttons do nothing, the dial turns without effect, or the display is frozen or flickering. ## What it usually means. A control panel that does not respond is either locked, confused or damaged. A child lock or control lock on is the most common reason and the easiest to check. After that, a panel that froze after an outage often recovers when the power is cut for a few minutes. When it does not, the problem lies in the button membrane, the ribbon cable to the board, or the board itself, which heat and humidity in a laundry room wear on over the years. A panel that works for some buttons and not others usually points at the membrane rather than the board. The 5 causes, cheapest first Answer these first 01 Is a lock symbol or light showing on the panel? 02 Do some buttons work and others not? 03 Did the problem start after a storm, outage or surge? 04 Is the display frozen, blank, flickering or showing a code? 05 Has the panel been wiped with a wet cloth or spray cleaner recently? ## Check these before you book. Dryer control panel not responding: 5 checks, and none of them costs anything. 01 Look for a lock symbol and hold the lock button, marked on the panel, for three seconds. 02 Switch the dryer's breaker off or unplug the dryer for five minutes, then restore power. 03 Test each button and note which ones respond. ### Also worth checking - Write down any code that appears on the display. - Clean the panel with a barely damp cloth rather than spray, and let it dry. ### How soon does it need a visit? Not urgent. A panel that will not respond is not a hazard. If the panel feels hot or smells burned, switch off the breaker and leave it off. ## The causes, cheapest first. 5 things dryer control panel not responding turns out to be, from control lock on to failed control board. [The cost guide](https://dryerrepair.center/cost/) 1. 01 no repair ### Control lock on A lock disables every button except the one that releases it, usually held for a few seconds. It is often switched on by accident. No repair: check it yourself 2. 02 no repair ### Control needing a reset After an outage the board can hang. Switching off the breaker or unplugging the dryer for a few minutes often clears it. No repair: check it yourself 3. 03 low ### Worn button membrane The touch membrane on the front wears out on the most used buttons first, so start or the favorite cycle stops working while others still respond. [Fixed by controls and sensors](https://dryerrepair.center/services/controls-and-sensors/) 4. 04 low to moderate ### Moisture behind the panel Spray cleaner or humidity can reach the membrane and the board, causing buttons to act on their own or not at all. [Fixed by controls and sensors](https://dryerrepair.center/services/controls-and-sensors/) 5. 05 moderate ### Failed control board A board damaged by a surge or by heat stops reading the buttons or driving the display. [Fixed by controls and sensors](https://dryerrepair.center/services/controls-and-sensors/) 6. What it costs ### Every repair on the site's cost scale, side by side Open the cost guide ## What else it could be. Most often confused with dryer not starting, then dryer not turning on. [All problems](https://dryerrepair.center/problems/) Codes that come with it - [`E0` ASKO · Communication](https://dryerrepair.center/error-codes/asko-e0/) - [`E2` ASKO · Communication](https://dryerrepair.center/error-codes/asko-e2/) - [`E10` Kenmore · Communication](https://dryerrepair.center/error-codes/kenmore-417-e10/) - [`AC` Samsung · Communication](https://dryerrepair.center/error-codes/samsung-ac/) - [`dn` Samsung · Mode, not a failure](https://dryerrepair.center/error-codes/samsung-dn/) - [`F6 E1` Whirlpool · Communication](https://dryerrepair.center/error-codes/whirlpool-f6e1/) [1 more codes, by make](https://dryerrepair.center/error-codes/) ### Dryer Not Starting 5 causes ### Dryer Not Turning On 5 causes ### Dryer Error Code 5 causes ## The makes it happens on. 14 makes on this site; dryer control panel not responding can show up on any of them. Each mark opens that make's own page. [All 14 brands](https://dryerrepair.center/brands/) ## Dryer Control Panel Not Responding, where we come out. 9 metros, each with its own page. [All service areas](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/) [Tampa Bay](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/) FL · 31 areas - [Hyde Park](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/hyde-park/) - [Davis Islands](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/davis-islands/) - [Palma Ceia](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/palma-ceia/) - [Westchase](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/westchase/) - [Carrollwood](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/carrollwood/) - [Belleair](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/belleair/) - [St. Pete Beach](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/st-pete-beach/) - [Palm Harbor](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/palm-harbor/) [Orlando](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/orlando/) FL · 30 areas - [Winter Park](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/orlando/winter-park/) - [Windermere](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/orlando/windermere/) - [Dr. Phillips](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/orlando/dr-phillips/) - [Bay Hill](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/orlando/bay-hill/) - [Lake Nona](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/orlando/lake-nona/) - [Heathrow](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/orlando/heathrow/) - [Celebration](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/orlando/celebration/) [Miami / South Florida](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/) FL · 47 areas - [Brickell](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/brickell/) - [Coconut Grove](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/coconut-grove/) - [Coral Gables](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/coral-gables/) - [Pinecrest](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/pinecrest/) - [Key Biscayne](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/key-biscayne/) - [Aventura](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/aventura/) - [Sunny Isles Beach](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/sunny-isles-beach/) - [Bal Harbour](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/bal-harbour/) - [Miami Beach](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/miami-beach/) - [Golden Beach](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/golden-beach/) - [Weston](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/weston/) - [Boca Raton](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/boca-raton/) - [Palm Beach](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/palm-beach/) [New York Metro](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/new-york/) NY · 75 areas - [Upper East Side](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/new-york/upper-east-side/) - [Upper West Side](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/new-york/upper-west-side/) - [Tribeca](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/new-york/tribeca/) - [SoHo](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/new-york/soho/) - [Greenwich Village](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/new-york/greenwich-village/) - [Battery Park City](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/new-york/battery-park-city/) - [Brooklyn Heights](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/new-york/brooklyn-heights/) - [Park Slope](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/new-york/park-slope/) - [DUMBO](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/new-york/dumbo/) - [Forest Hills](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/new-york/forest-hills/) - [Great Neck](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/new-york/great-neck/) - [Southampton](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/new-york/southampton/) - [Scarsdale](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/new-york/scarsdale/) [Houston](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/houston/) TX · 36 areas - [River Oaks](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/houston/river-oaks/) - [Memorial](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/houston/memorial/) - [Tanglewood](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/houston/tanglewood/) - [Greater Heights](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/houston/greater-heights/) - [Kingwood](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/houston/kingwood/) - [Bellaire](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/houston/bellaire/) - [Bunker Hill Village](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/houston/bunker-hill-village/) - [Piney Point Village](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/houston/piney-point-village/) - [Hunters Creek Village](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/houston/hunters-creek-village/) - [Sugar Land](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/houston/sugar-land/) - [Cinco Ranch](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/houston/cinco-ranch/) - [The Woodlands](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/houston/the-woodlands/) - [West University](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/houston/west-university/) [Chicago](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/) IL · 50 areas - [Lincoln Park](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lincoln-park/) - [Near North Side](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/near-north-side/) - [West Loop / Near West Side](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/west-loop-near-west-side/) - [Wilmette](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/wilmette/) - [Winnetka](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/winnetka/) - [Glencoe](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/glencoe/) - [River Forest](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/river-forest/) - [Oak Park](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/oak-park/) - [Hinsdale](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/hinsdale/) - [Lake Forest](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lake-forest/) - [Highland Park](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/highland-park/) - [Gold Coast](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/gold-coast/) - [Lakeview](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lakeview/) [Los Angeles](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/) CA · 95 areas - [Beverly Hills](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/beverly-hills/) - [Bel Air](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/bel-air/) - [Holmby Hills](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/holmby-hills/) - [Brentwood](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/brentwood/) - [Pacific Palisades](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/pacific-palisades/) - [Santa Monica](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/santa-monica/) - [Hancock Park](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/hancock-park/) - [Studio City](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/studio-city/) - [Calabasas](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/calabasas/) - [Manhattan Beach](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/manhattan-beach/) - [Palos Verdes Estates](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/palos-verdes-estates/) - [Pasadena](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/pasadena/) - [San Marino](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/san-marino/) - [Malibu](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/malibu/) [San Diego](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/) CA · 31 areas - [La Jolla](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/la-jolla/) - [Carmel Valley](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/carmel-valley/) - [Point Loma](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/point-loma/) - [Del Mar](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/del-mar/) - [Rancho Santa Fe](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/rancho-santa-fe/) - [Coronado](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/coronado/) - [Encinitas](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/encinitas/) - [Solana Beach](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/solana-beach/) [San Francisco Bay Area](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/) CA · 74 areas - [Pacific Heights](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/pacific-heights/) - [Presidio Heights](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/presidio-heights/) - [Russian Hill](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/russian-hill/) - [Noe Valley](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/noe-valley/) - [Sea Cliff](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/sea-cliff/) - [Hillsborough](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/hillsborough/) - [Atherton](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/atherton/) - [Woodside](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/woodside/) - [Palo Alto](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/palo-alto/) - [Los Altos Hills](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/los-altos-hills/) - [Tiburon](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/tiburon/) - [Piedmont](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/piedmont/) - [Marina](https://dryerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/marina/) For the heart of your home. ## Questions about dryer control panel not responding. ### How do I turn off the child lock? Most dryers release it by holding one button for about three seconds. The button usually has a lock symbol printed beside it, and the manual lists it for your model. ### Is a control board worth replacing on an older dryer? It depends on the dryer's age and the rest of its condition. Boards are among the costlier dryer parts, so the technician should confirm the board before ordering one and weigh it against the drum, motor and heater. ### The dial turns but nothing changes. Is that the same problem? On an electronic dryer the dial feeds a switch read by the board; a broken switch or loose connector stops it registering. On a mechanical dryer, a timer that no longer advances is its own repair. ### Can a surge protector prevent this? A surge protector rated for the dryer's outlet can reduce the risk. On a 240V dryer, whole-house surge protection at the panel is the usual approach. --- **[Read on the site: Dryer Control Panel Not Responding: Causes and Fixes](https://dryerrepair.center/problems/control-panel-not-responding/)** **[Book a visit with DryerRepair.center](https://dryerrepair.center/schedule/)**