How to Troubleshoot and Fix a Dryer When The Drum Does Not Spin

If you’ve ever had a load of wet clothes waiting to be dried, only to find that your dryer drum won’t turn or spin, you know how frustrating it can be. Trying to troubleshoot your dryer can seem overwhelming, but with this guide, you can figure out what’s wrong with the drum and fix it in no time. We’ll walk you through some common causes of a non-spinning dryer drum, and help you troubleshoot the issue so you can get back to finishing that load of laundry.

How to Troubleshoot a Dryer When The Drum Does Not Spin

There are several potential reasons your dryer drum may either be struggling to turn or not turning at all. The reasons range from simple and easy-to-fix issues, such as overloading the drum, to more specific part repairs, which can range from the dive belt and pulley arrangement being damaged, to the drum bearings and drum seal being worn, which will all affect your dryer's ability to spin as it should.

Using This Page, You Will be Able to Troubleshoot the Following Symptoms

1. Dryer Drum Not Spinning/Turning at All
2. Dryer Drum Having Difficulty Spinning/Turning

Inspect These Common Issues First

Be sure to check these common problem areas first before you move on to the individual part pages. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, move on to inspecting the individual dryer parts.

FIX TIP

Remember, when troubleshooting any washer symptom, start by unplugging it from the electrical outlet or turning off the breaker.

Is Your Dryer Overloaded?

Overloading your dryer forces the drive belt, pulley, bearings, and motor to work harder to compensate for the added weight. The high friction can cause the belt to break or the motor to overheat. All of this will cause the dryer to wear down quickly and eventually break down altogether. Try to keep the load your dryer at two-thirds capacity or halfway for optimal performance.

Is Your Laundry Soaking Wet?

You should never place soaking wet clothes in the dryer. Not only will this increase your energy consumption, but the added weight of the wet clothes could also damage the dryer tub. The weight of the clothes will prevent your dryer from rotating as easily and place extra strain on the parts responsible for spinning the drum, such as the belt and pulleys.