Why Is My Dryer Not Spinning? DIY Troubleshooting Tips

A dryer isn’t much use if it doesn’t spin, so understandably, it’s an issue you’ll want to get fixed quickly. Perhaps your dryer heats up when you try to start a cycle but doesn’t spin, or maybe it neither spins nor heats.

Either way, this article is packed with tips and explanations to help you resolve the issue promptly—ideally on your own without needing to call in an expert.

Keep reading to learn why your dryer isn’t spinning and what you can do about it. It’s time to put the tumble back in your tumble dryer.

Tools you will need

You will need some tools to carry out most of the repairs listed below since they involve disassembling the appliance. Some tools you may need include:

• Screwdrivers
• Nut driver or socket wrench set
• Pliers
• Multimeter
• Putty knife

Why is my dryer not spinning?

Check the following to fix a dryer that isn’t spinning.

1. Drive belt

The drive belt is an obvious culprit to check since it wraps around the drum and motor shaft to facilitate rotation. Without the belt, spinning is impossible.

The belt may have slipped off or broken. If that’s the case, you’ll likely need a replacement. It’s common for a belt to break over time—general wear and tear can lead to fraying and cracking. A telltale sign that the belt might be broken is if the drum doesn’t spin, yet you can hear the motor running.

For some models, you may need to remove the top and front panels to access the belt, while for others, only one panel needs to be removed. After taking out the old belt, loop the new one around the drum, motor pulley, and idler pulley. It should fit snugly but not be overly tight or loose.

You can usually find a replacement belt at a hardware store or online—just make sure you buy one that’s compatible with your dryer model.

2. An item is obstructing the drum

Sometimes, small foreign objects, such as hair clips, laundry items, or zippers, can get stuck along the drum’s inside edge near the door frame. Inspect this area, and if you find anything, remove it carefully—pliers can help with hard-to-reach items.

3. The door is not closed or the switch is faulty

A dryer won’t spin if the door isn’t fully closed for safety reasons. Sometimes, the door might look shut, but a closer look could reveal it’s not latched properly. Give the door another push to see if it clicks into place, or try opening and closing it again with a firm push.

Also, check for anything blocking the door or latch—like laundry stuck in the frame or detergent residue near the latch—that might be preventing it from closing properly.

If everything appears fine, the door switch might be faulty, causing the control board to think the door is open even when it isn’t. Follow these steps to check the door switch:

1. Unplug the dryer.
2. Remove the top panel.
3. Locate the door switch beneath the top panel attached to the front panel.
4. Remove any screws securing the door latch assembly and disconnect the wire harness.
5. Press the switch manually and inspect it for loose or damaged parts. If you don’t hear a clicking sound or it appears damaged, replace the door switch.
6. You can also confirm whether it’s faulty by testing the switch with a multimeter.

4. Seized drum rollers

The drum rollers help support the dryer drum, usually at the rear, allowing it to spin smoothly. Over time, these rollers can wear out or even seize up, creating extra friction that strains the motor—and in the worst cases, stops the drum from spinning entirely.

Here’s what you need to do to check the drum rollers:

1. Unplug the dryer.
2. Remove the top and front panels. You may also need to remove the lint trap and the screws beneath it.
3. Release the tension on the drive belt by adjusting the idler pulley, remove the belt from the drum and motor pulley, then carefully lift the drum out of the dryer cabinet.
4. Find the drum rollers mounted on the back panel, which look like small rubber wheels. Most dryers have either two or four of them.
5. Check each roller by spinning it with your hand. If any are worn out, damaged, or don’t spin freely, replace the entire set rather than just one.
6. To replace them, use a socket wrench to unbolt and remove the old rollers, then bolt the new ones in place.

5. Worn-out drum bearing

The rear drum bearing supports the back of the drum and enables it to spin smoothly. However, over time or due to frequent overloading of the machine, it can wear down, causing excessive friction and a scraping sound when the drum spins.

Sometimes, it can seize up completely, creating so much resistance that the motor can’t get the drum moving at all. While this job is usually best left to the professionals, here are the general steps involved with checking and replacing the rear bearing:

1. Unplug your dryer.
2. Remove the lint filter and the screws beneath, then the top and front panels.
3. Remove the drive belt, then lift out the drum.
4. Locate the rear bearing assembly attached to both the drum and the back wall of the cabinet.
5. Inspect the bearing for wear or cracks. If it looks damaged or feels rough when you rotate the drum shaft, it needs to be replaced.
6. Unscrew the old bearing from the back of the drum and the socket from the rear panel.
7. Attach the new bearing to the drum and secure the socket to the rear panel.