The dryer belt and dryer motor are two parts that can cause your dryer to not spin if they aren't working properly. It can also be as simple as a tripped circuit breaker or an unplugged appliance.
A broken drive belt is the most common reason for a dryer drum not spinning. The drive belt is a long, narrow belt that wraps around the drum, motor pulley, and tension pulley. When the motor turns the pulley, the belt rotates the drum.
If your dryer is making noise but not spinning, this could be the reason. The drum rollers and glides are the parts that allow the drum to rotate smoothly. When these parts go bad, it creates resistance and overloads the motor so that your dryer won't spin.
While disassembling your dryer to swap the belt out may seem like a tough DIY gig, you'd be surprised how straightforward this is likely to be. If you've got a screwdriver, putty knife, and patience, you can pull this repair off no problem.
One of the most common reasons your dryer won't spin is because the drive belt is broken. To find out if this is the problem, open the dryer door, reach in, and attempt to turn the big circular tumbler—the drum—by hand. If it turns too easily, the belt has probably snapped and needs to be replaced.
Dryer Drum Not Spinning
Repairing a dryer with a drum that does not spin ranges from $100 to $450, depending on the parts that need repairing/replacing.
It's not recommended you continue to use your dryer if it doesn't spin, as the drum spins in order to circulate air throughout wet clothes, helping them to dry properly. You also should refrain from continuing to use your dryer if it's malfunctioning to prevent damage to your appliance.
A faulty dryer belt can cause your drying machine to stop working, so you'll need to replace it as soon as possible. While the part itself costs between $8 and $25, professional dryer belt replacement costs $120 on average, or between $60 and $190, depending on your type of dryer.
If your dryer is running but not heating, the vent may be clogged with lint. This issue traps cold, wet air inside your dryer with your clothes, which lowers the unit's temperature and affects its drying ability. Your heating element could also be broken, limiting the unit's ability to produce hot air.
As the drum spins, it moves the clothes around so that they can open up and allow the vapor to release. If the clothes were still while they heated, the vapor could stay trapped within the clothes. If your dryer is not spinning but still getting hot, your clothes will remain damp.
The problem could be that the drum is overloaded. As a rule, you should fill it no more than three quarters. If the items are really heavy, it's best to fill it less. Lots of washing machines also have a sensor that will stop the drum turning if it's too heavy.
What is the average life of a dryer, you wonder? A dryer typically lasts about 12-13 years; however, some dryer manufacturers boast up to a 25-year lifespan. It's important to remember, though, that clothes dryer life expectancy goes hand in hand with how often the dryer is used and how well you maintain the appliance.
Generally, you can expect your tumble dryer to last about 10 to 13 years on average.
If your dryer won't spin or if it makes a loud, rumbling sound when in use, it's possible your drum rollers are malfunctioning. Typically, drum rollers are installed in sets, so you may need to replace all of them at the same time.
Often, dryers are equipped with a reset button on the control panel. If the motor won't run, let the dryer cool for about ten minutes. Then press this reset button. If the dryer still doesn't operate, check for an overload protector on the motor.
Make Sure to Balance the Load
One of the most common, and easiest to fix, is when the washer cannot reach the spin speeds it needs to remove water from the clothes. This is often caused by the load being unbalanced. The issue often occurs when washing bulky items like blankets or towels.
A displaced or faulty spin switch is the most likely cause. This small switch should be pressed down by the lid when it's closed. If it isn't pressed down, your machine may prevent the spin cycle as a safety measure. To troubleshoot this, hold the switch down with your finger (with the lid open) and start a spin cycle.
Fabric-Friendly: Without heat exposure, spin drying is gentler to fabrics, reducing the chances of shrinkage and wear.
The cost to replace a belt on a dryer is $100 to $250 on average. The cost for the dryer belt part ranges from $10 to $70. The dryer-drive belt attaches to the motor and spins the drum, tumbling the clothes to dry them. A broken belt results in a drum that doesn't spin when the motor runs.
Your dryer's drive belt is broken.
A slender, elongated belt called the drive belt wraps around the dryer drum, a tension pulley, and the drive motor pulley. Over time the belt can break, resulting in the drum no longer turning. To check if the belt is broken, simply reach into the dryer and turn the drum manually.
Without the belt attached, the motor can run all it wants and the drum will never move.