The hair dryer is an electromechanical device found in many bathrooms. And like any electronic device, it can unfortunately encounter malfunctions. Your hair dryer does not turn on anymore? When the failure no longer allows its use, it can quickly become very restrictive. This can occur as a result of different factors, it will be important to determine which one is impacting your device and then try to resolve it. This is what we will try to do in this article.
Why is your hair dryer not working?
As usual, you connect your hair dryer to the electrical outlet but it refuses to turn on? Or it suddenly turned off while in use and won't turn back on? One of these breakdowns will inevitably end up happening to us one day or another. However, she may have different origins and therefore be more or less serious. But then, what are the factors that may be responsible:
- un usage problem of the device
- un fouling or an obstruction in its air circuit
- a faulty power source
- un faulty hardware component
In most cases, the failure comes from a defective component. Indeed, over time, the parts end up wearing out and one fine day, breaking down. However, if your hair dryer no longer turns on due to overheating, it is also possible that the breakdown is benign and that it is just the result of improper use or a problem in its ventilation circuit. . So, without further ado, discover below the solutions ranging from the most basic to solve, to the most difficult.
How to fix a hair dryer that no longer turns on?
Basic checks
When your hair dryer is not working, some basic checks accessible to all can sometimes solve the problem. In particular, you will need check 3 points: the use, the power source and the state of cleanliness of the hair dryer.
Check hair dryer usage
First of all, if your hair dryer has suddenly switched off during use and does not turn on again, it is possible that the use you have just made of the device caused the breakdown. Indeed, this symptom generally signals that there has been overheating. An automatic circuit breaker (sensor or thermal fuse) is integrated in the vast majority of hair dryers. When the sensor detects too high a temperature, it then switches off the device.
Here are the directions for use to follow to avoid this:
- Be careful not to obstruct air circulation. The ventilation grilles and the air outlet must never be obstructed by a fabric or any object. Note that if hot air is not expelled properly, the hair dryer may overheat, to go out and not immediately come back on. This is especially valid if you have an old hair dryer that does not have the same current cooling technologies and can also start to tire.
- In case of prolonged use of your hair dryer at high temperature, we advise you toswitch on the “cold air” function from time to time. This reduces the temperature of the components inside and therefore prevents overheating.
In any case, if your device has turned off and won't turn on again, wait ten minutes for it to cool. If it still does not turn back on, continue to the next step.
Check the power source
Although this may seem logical to some, it may also be that your hair dryer no longer turns on because of the power source. Indeed, if it does not receive current from the electrical outlet, it obviously will not be able to operate.
Then check if the electrical outlet is working by plugging another functional device into it. If the socket does not work, check on the electrical panel to see if the fuse corresponding to the socket has not blown. If so, there is probably a short circuit or electrical overload problem detected by the circuit breaker. First, check if there is an electrical overload. Secondly, test if the circuit breaker trips when using the hair dryer. If this is the case, you must then stop using the hair dryer because a short circuit can potentially present risks (responsible for electric shock or fire).
Si you use power strip and extension cord, remove them and connect the hair dryer directly to the electrical outlet. In fact, these accessories can cause voltage peaks and electrical noise that can interfere with the correct operation of the device. In addition, hair dryers being devices with high power consumption, it is not recommended to use this type of accessory under penalty of triggering an electrical overload, or even in the most serious cases, a fire.
Check the air vent and the hair dryer filter that no longer turns on
when your hair dryer stops working, the problem may be dust and dirt that invaded the device.
Indeed, particles of dust, dirt, animal hair and hair can rush into the ventilation grille. A filter prevents them from getting inside the hair dryer. Except when the grid and the filter are too dirty, they end up no longer fulfilling their barrier role. In addition, the inlet airflow is reduced, so the engine is forced to force more. The penetration of particles into the motor block of the hair dryer and the limited air flow then causes overheating and the automatic shutdown of the device. If the hair dryer is not cleaned, the problem may repeat itself, even until the device definitely refuses to turn on.
To avoid this, it will then be necessary clean the air vent(s) (front and back) of the appliance with a soft bristle brush or lint-free cloth. If you can access the filter, clean it. Do this regularly as a preventive measure.
Note: Refer to the user guide for your hair dryer model to see if cleaning the filter is possible on your device. If you no longer have it, you can most certainly find it online on the brand's website. Note that the filter is very often located behind the suction grille of the device. If you can't remove it, it's probably not possible to handle it on your hair dryer. Then simply clean the ventilation grilles.
Advanced checks
Unfortunately if the previous solutions did not solve the problem, your hair dryer no longer turns on most likely due to a hardware failure. At this stage, it will therefore be necessary test its internal components to find the culprit or replace hair dryer. This last scenario is often the best option because the repair of this type of device is not obvious and sometimes costs the price of the device.
The manipulations below must be carried out by people with electrical certifications because it will be necessary to disassemble, test and replace the components. There is therefore a risk of electric shock and irreversible damage to the device. Always work off. Also note that some spare parts for a hair dryer are sometimes impossible to find.
Important: If your hair dryer that no longer works is still under warranty, do not disassemble the device or you will lose eligibility. Call now on manufacturer's after-sales service to obtain the repair free of charge.
Here is the components most likely to have failed when a hair dryer no longer turns on:
The power cord
When your hair dryer does not turn on at all (no light, no sound), the component to check first is the power cord. Check first, on the visible part of the cord, if it is bare, cracked, cut or damaged.
If you do not find a fault, then you will have to open the hair dryer to check the internal power cord. Generally, the conductors (wires) are not covered by a sheath on the beginning, then towards the heating part it is under a thermal insulating sheath to resist the heat. It will be necessary to check that the conductors are in good condition and that the sheath has not melted or is not damaged. Also check that the cord has not become disconnected from its terminal. If this is the case, you will simply have to put the conductive wire back in its terminal.
If the power cord is damaged in one of its parts, it must be replaced.
Tip: Avoid wrapping the hair dryer's power cord too tightly around it when you store it (especially if it is hot) as this can damage its internal connections.
On/Off switch
When your hair dryer does not start at all, the problem may also be caused by the On/Off switch or the switch. It may be broken or defective.
To check the switch, do a continuity test. The multimeter should beep or display a value close to 0 when running and no beep, 1 or OL when stopped. If the multimeter does not display anything or does not beep in the on position, then the switch will need to be replaced.
To check the switch, you must also perform a continuity test set on an ohmmeter. Test each terminal of the switch. If there is no continuity between a pair of contacts, the switch has failed. It will then have to be replaced.
The thermal fuse
If your hair dryer not heating or stopped during operation and does not restart, the thermal fuse may be responsible for it. This is all the more likely if the failure occurred after overheating. The fuse is usually located under the resistor. It jumps and turns off the device when it detects an abnormally high temperature.
To test it, perform a continuity test using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, it is broken and you will need to replace it with an identical one.
Engine
If your hair dryer turns on (light on) but does not start (no engine noise or a jammed or muffled noise), the failure is most certainly attributable to the engine. Often the motor is a DC motor which has diodes to rectify the alternating current into direct current.
Then test the diodes and the motor. To test the motor, you will need to measure the voltage across its terminals using a multimeter set to an AC voltmeter. If the voltage is not correct, it is probably faulty and will need to be replaced.
The power board
Finally, some hair dryers are equipped with a electronic card. In this case, she is the brain of the device. If it fails, your hair dryer will no longer work.
To test the board, measure the input and output supply voltage using a multimeter set to AC voltmeter. If the two voltages are approximately the same, the board works. If the voltage is zero, lower or not the same, the board is faulty and you will therefore have to replace it.
Last Resorts When Your Hairdryer Won't Turn On
If despite all the elements present above you are unable to revive your hair dryer, you will then have to contact a professional or that you replace the device depending on your situation. Likewise if you are not competent to carry out the manipulations.
If your hair dryer that won't turn on still has the right to guarantee, contact the after-sales service of the retailer or the manufacturer. You will then obtain the repair or replacement of the device free of charge. Please note, this only applies if you have not disassembled the faulty hair dryer and if the problem is due to a manufacturing defect. If the problem appeared following a user error (shock or fall, device that got wet) or after dismantling, the warranty will not work.
If you are no longer entitled to the warranty, you can contact a professional repairman near you, knowing that the cost of the repair will be your responsibility. Therefore, depending on the age, model and purchase price of the hair dryer, it is often more advantageous to replace it with a new hair dryer.
