Part Location Diagram of WE4X881 GE Rotary Start Switch
See part 35 in the diagram
Replacing your General Electric Dryer Rotary Start Switch
( Grid squares measure 1x1 inch )
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Rotary Start Switch

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$105.01
  Special Order
PartSelect Number PS268305
Manufacturer Part Number WE4X881
Manufactured by GE
Product Description

Rotary Start Switch Specifications

This part is used to start the dryer once you have selected a setting on the timer.
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Part Videos

Replacing your General Electric Dryer Rotary Start Switch

Replacing your General Electric Dryer Rotary Start Switch
Troubleshooting
This part works with the following products:
Dryer.
This part works with the following products:
General Electric, Hotpoint.
Part# WE4X881 replaces these:
AP2042901, 2420, WE4X881, WE04X0881, WE04X10033, WE4M408, WE4X10033
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Customer Repair Stories
 Average Repair Rating: 4.5 / 5.0, 27 reviews. What's this?
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Broken Knob Post
First I unplugged the dryer, then I removed the access panel on the back of the control panel. I removed the wires from the back of the switch...Here is where I messed up. I removed the switch prior to ordering the part, the bad part is the way I removed the part. When you get the new part in you will be able to see how it will be mounted to the control panel. I had no idea, so I did what was necessary to remove it. Needless to say, I bent the hell out of the hole that the switch mounts in. In turn, the installation of the new switch did not go as easily as I would have liked. After straightening out some metal and drowning the thing in epoxy, the new switch is installed. I hooked the wires back up on the back of the switch, plug in the dryer, and dry some clothes. Standing victorious over the dryer with beer in hand, not only did I accomplish the mission but I learned my lesson... destructive removal = BAD!
Other Parts Used:
  • Jaren from Lemoore, CA
  • Difficulty Level:
    A Bit Difficult
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Pliers, Screw drivers
122 of 142 people found this instruction helpful.
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Start Rotary Shaft stripped
One of the easiest repair jobs I've ever done. First I turned off the power. After removing 4 screws and lowering the cover of the control board, I disconnected the two wires attached to the switch. I rotated the switch counterclockwise and removed it. Just reverse this process and I was done. I was in and out in less than 10 minutes.
Other Parts Used:
Selector Knob with Clip
  • Neil from Doylestown, PA
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    Less than 15 mins
90 of 158 people found this instruction helpful.
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Dryer would not start
The switch made a humming sound when I turned it so I thought that might be the problem. Using the instructions on this Web site I took the top panel of the dryer off (after unplugging it), unplugged two wires leading from the switch (needed pliers for this), and removed the switch unit by rotating it counterclockwise (when behind it).
The replacement part came in two days. The installation went a lot quicker-maybe ten minutes.
Other Parts Used:
  • Ray from Kingwood, TX
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    30 - 60 mins
  • Tools:
    Pliers, Screw drivers
33 of 37 people found this instruction helpful.
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Switch knob and shaft broke off from using pliers.
Unplugged dryer. Removed screws from top of operating panel. Removed wires from switch. Turned switch 1/4 turn to left and removed. Replaced switch. Turned 1/4 to the right. Re-attached wires. Replaced operating panel and screws. Replaced knob. Plugged in dryer. DONE!!!!!!
Easiest repair ever! Thank you.
Other Parts Used:
Selector Knob with Clip
  • robert from ossineke, MI
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    Less than 15 mins
  • Tools:
    Screw drivers
19 of 21 people found this instruction helpful.
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Start switch and knob busted
Just followed the installation video. The only issue with the video was that a phillips screwdriver was specified and I actually needed a torx screwdriver.
Other Parts Used:
Selector Knob with Clip D-Shaped Knob Clip
  • William from Islip Terrace, NY
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    Less than 15 mins
  • Tools:
    Screw drivers
16 of 25 people found this instruction helpful.
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Start Switch stick (plastic thing that pops out) was broken
Removed 6 screws from the back panel and lifted/pushed the metal back panel up. Removed/sliced out the start switch by hand. Replace the new start switch and tightened all screws. Replaced the new selector Knob and it worked like charm.
Other Parts Used:
Selector Knob with Clip
  • Kusuma from Alpharetta, GA
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Wrench (Adjustable)
14 of 15 people found this instruction helpful.
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Plastic stem that the knob attaches to, broke off
unscrewed the back plate off of the dryer. Disconnected the the wires off of the switch. Remember to to unplug your dryer from the wall first!!!. Reconnect the wires to the new switch and twist back into place. Be careful not to bend the metal tabs. Put the back plate back on and plug in. Put on new knob and the wife was smiling. Took about 8 minutes to repair.
Other Parts Used:
  • lee from port charlotte, FL
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    Less than 15 mins
  • Tools:
    Screw drivers
10 of 12 people found this instruction helpful.
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Intermittent starting gave way to no starting
a. researched internet to find how to access rotary starter switch
b. isolated all electrical input at breaker box
c. removed 4 torx screws on top of dryer head
d. lowered dryer head (swivels toward front)
e. pulled electrical connections from back of switch
f. turned and pulled thus releasing rotary switch
g. reversed procedure above
h. reconnected electrical
i. started dryer - it worked first time
j. watched football until wife came home
k. told wife dryer was fixed and what a bear it was to get it done :o)
l. that night accepted my reward for working so hard at fixing the dryer and saving us a bundle. :o)
m. now we are both smiling
Other Parts Used:
  • Carl from Newburgh, IN
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    Less than 15 mins
10 of 13 people found this instruction helpful.
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broken knob,and damage rotary start switch
replace both,in less than 5 minutes.save 80dollars in labor
Other Parts Used:
Selector Knob with Clip D-Shaped Knob Clip
  • Rosa from miami, FL
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    Less than 15 mins
  • Tools:
    Screw drivers
9 of 13 people found this instruction helpful.
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The start knob would not work
First of all I am NOT a do-it-yourself handyman. I unscrewed the panel where the start knob was diagnosed I needed an electrical switch that went behind the panel and a new start knob. PartSelect was great. just plugged in my model number, found the drawings of the model. I selected and ordered both parts for $40. Shipped normal delivery and they arrived in 5 days. I had the parts replaced, the panel screwed back on and the dryer working in 10 minutes. I highly recommend PartSelect for honesty, speed and helpful drawings that allow you to select the correct part. 110% satisfied.
Other Parts Used:
Selector Knob with Clip
  • vincent from chapel hill, NC
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    Less than 15 mins
8 of 11 people found this instruction helpful.
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Questions and Answers

Ask our experts a question about this part and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!

25 questions answered by our experts.
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John
January 21, 2018
On the start switch, the knob and the shaft are broken. If the shaft is broken do I still need to replace the entire rotary start switch?
PartSelect logo
Hello John, Thanks for your question. Yes, the shaft is a part of the switch itself, so both would need to be replaced. I hope this helps.

21 people found this helpful.

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Michele
September 23, 2017
The dryer starts when i turn the knob, but i have to hold the knob to keep it running. As soon as i let go, the dryer stops.
For model number DPSR4483ea1WW
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Hi Michele, Thank you for your question. It sounds like you may need to check this switch with a multimeter to see if it is still working correctly. After removing the switch and touching each probe of your multimeter to the prongs of your switch, press down on the shaft to actuate it. If the meter does not change, then you may have to replace the part. Good luck with your repair.

9 people found this helpful.

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ANTHONY
April 12, 2018
Looking for replacement start knob its # 29 on diaigram but no part # or part to order from
For model number NVL333GB2WW
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Hello Anthony, thank you for your question. The PartSelect part number for the #29 knob is PS264466. Please enter the part number into the site for current price and availability. Good luck with your repair!

4 people found this helpful.

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Joan
August 13, 2017
Does the start switch go out at once.Or does it act up?
For model number Dwsr48ea1ww
PartSelect logo
Hello Joan, that is a great question. The shaft on that switch can wear out and cause the knob to slip. If you determine that is not the case then the switch is bad and will need to be replaced. Hope this helps!

3 people found this helpful.

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Bob
January 31, 2018
Old starter has three wire attachments, new replacement has only two. How should I wire the 3 wires into the 2 attachments? Thanks.
For model number DJSR473ET1WW
PartSelect logo
Hi Bob, Thank you for the question. You will need to attach the wires labeled for the two prongs and the third is left and not used. Hope this helps!

2 people found this helpful.

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Stewart
July 1, 2019
Switch will rotate and dryer turns on, but as soon as the switch is released, the dryer turns off. The original switch and the new switch operate the same. If you “hold” the switch in the “start” position, the dryer works as intended and dries the clothes. We have had the GE washer and dryer for many years without any issues. Please help. Stewart boal
For model number Ps268305
PartSelect logo
Hello Stewart, thank you for writing. It sounds as though you need to replace the Rotary Start Switch, but we will need the model number for your dryer to locate the correct replacement. We look forward to hearing back from you.

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Lewis
January 8, 2020
I have a GE dpsr473ew0ww dryer when i try to set the time i hear a buzzing sound and it only turns off if the dryer door is open or if i have to timer in the off position. It won't start. This happen all of a sudden after a load of towels. Is this a rotary start switch, i did open the dryer and manually press the white button like the door of the dryer normally would if closed and i saw some sparks of electricity. Is this fixable and how?
For model number 4258308122
PartSelect logo
Hello Lewis, thank you for your question. We would recommend testing the Rotary Start Switch PartSelect Number: PS268305, high limit thermostat PartSelect Number: PS267900 and the PartSelect Number: PS2344321 door switch. These parts can be tested with a multimeter. I hope this helps.

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Ole
March 6, 2018
Hi my dryer will not start when i turn the knob,maybe it is the thermal fuse?.thank you
For model number dvl223ebiw
PartSelect logo
Hello Ole, thank you for your question. The issue could be a thermostat on the unit. I would test the Rotary Start Switch Part Number: WE4X881 first as this is one of the most common parts that cause this issue. The thermostats you will want to test are the Control Thermostat Part Number: WE04X10028 the High Limit Safety Thermostat Part Number: WE4X757 and the Thermal Limiter Part Number: WE04X10094. These parts can all be tested with a multimeter. I hope this helps!

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Tony
January 12, 2018
My rotary start switch has 3 wire connects 2 on top 1 on bottom. Do i need a certain switch, the one i got only has 2 connections.
For model number DBXR453ET3WW
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Hello Tony, Thank you for your inquiry. We are showing that this is the compatible rotary start switch for the model number you listed. Hope this helps!

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Doug
November 7, 2018
On dryer there were 3 wire into switch pt# we4x881, only 2 places to connect on switch, where does the 3rd wire go to ? I have to wires marked for 1-2-3, 1 being top #1 3rd on #2,bottom, but on the 2nd wire no thing to attach too?
For model number DWSR405EB0WW
PartSelect logo
Hi Doug, Thank you for your question. There is a video listed with the part on our website that you may reference for more information on how to install it. I hope this helps. Thank you and have a great day!

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Model Cross Reference
This part works with the following models:
PartSelect Number: PS268305
Manufacturer Part Number: WE4X881
Brand
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Description
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