A dryer not spinning is a vexing problem. But before you get out the clothesline, you may be able to fix a dryer that won’t spin quicker than your clothes can dry in the sun.
I’m here to help you find and repair the cause of your dryer not spinning. This common laundry room issue typically comes down to five main causes, and their solutions take no time at all. You can also hire a pro if you prefer.
If you have one of best home warranty plans, you can give your provider a call to take care of the problem for you. If you don’t have one, you may want to look into buying one for next time.
But first, let’s take a moment to go over the top five most common reasons your dryer won’t spin and how to fix it.
Why Is Your Dryer Not Spinning?
When your clothes dryer won’t spin, the most common culprits are:
- Bad door switch
- Blown thermal fuse
- Broken drive belt
- Worn drum rollers
- Faulty motor
When in good working order, these parts allow you to start your dryer and get the drum rolling. If something goes wrong with any of them, your dryer won’t spin, leaving your fabrics a soggy mess. My guide to troubleshooting a dryer not spinning will walk through each of these potential problems, how to identify them and how to fix them.
How Do You Troubleshoot a Dryer Not Spinning?
The troubleshooting process allows you to figure out where the parts failure occurred, so you can waste no time fixing it. You’ll save time and money on the project as a result, allowing you to quickly get back to drying your clothes with the press of a button.
In addition to the risk of electrocution, the appliance’s wiring can start a fire if improperly repaired. The problem may not be apparent until later, creating a false sense of security before disaster happens.
Call a professional if you don’t have the skills and experience to troubleshoot and repair a high-voltage appliance. Or if you simply don’t feel comfortable attempting the repairs yourself.
If you’re comfortable moving forward, troubleshoot why your dryer won’t spin by following these six steps:
Step 1: Unplug the Dryer
Unplug your dryer from the wall before starting the troubleshooting process. Keep it unplugged until you’ve completed the repairs and fully reassembled the appliance.
Warning: Do not skip this step, ever. With a draw of at least 30 amps, your average home clothes dryer has a lethal amount of power flowing through it when plugged in. Its metal body increases the risk of harm by creating a direct connection from the high-voltage parts to you.
Step 2: Examine the Door Switch
Well-known as a key safety feature, your dryer has a switch that prevents the appliance from running with the door open. This door switch is a simple mechanism featuring a small pin or lever that completes the electrical circuit when the door shuts.
You’ll find this switch in the frame of the dryer door. It typically looks like a small button or pin. If it’s bent or broken, the door won’t depress the switch and allow the dryer to start.
If it looks bent, you can try straightening it with a pair of pliers. Otherwise, you just might want to replace it since it’s a cheap part and doesn’t take long to switch out.
Step 3: Check the Thermal Fuse
Find the thermal fuse by removing the back panel of your dryer and looking near the motor and blower. Use a screwdriver to remove the fasteners at either side of the fuse and pull it out of the dryer. Check the fuse for continuity with a multimeter. If it doesn’t complete the circuit, you have a blown fuse.
The thermal fuse helps prevent fires by tripping when your drum overheats. When that happens, your dryer will turn off completely.
Common causes of a blown thermal fuse include:
- Clogged lint trap, vents, or ductwork
- Overloaded dryer drum
- Bad high-limit thermostat
- Short in the heating element
- Faulty electrical parts or wiring
In some dryers, you can reset or replace the fuse and restart the drying cycle, but the problem will likely recur. Running your dryer without figuring out why the fuse keeps tripping is also a huge fire hazard. So, finding the cause and fixing that issue first is your best bet.
Step 4: Inspect the Drive Belt
The drive belt uses power from the motor to spin the drum when you turn the dryer on. If it’s stretched out, snapped, or otherwise damaged, you’ll notice your dryer not spinning right away.
An easy way to check the condition of your dryer belt is by trying to spin the drum by hand. You’ll notice that the drum spins freely if the belt broke.
To visually inspect the drive belt, you must remove the front or rear panels of your dryer. You’ll find the belt wrapped around the drum and the pulley on the motor.
Step 5: Assess the Drum Rollers
The drum rollers are small wheels that support the drum as it spins. Over time, the rollers can wear out, causing them to turn slower or get stuck in place. Your dryer won’t spin correctly as a result, and without a prompt solution, the issue could damage the drive belt and motor.
When this problem occurs, you’ll usually notice your dryer squeaking, squealing, or thumping. If that’s the case, you’ll need to check the rollers one by one to see which to replace.
To do that, access the inside of your dryer by removing the front and rear panels. Inspect each one while turning the drum by hand. If the wheel doesn’t turn freely, you likely need to replace it.
Step 6: Test the Dryer Motor
As soon as you turn on the dryer, the motor jumps into action and gets its pulley turning. This drives the belt wrapped around the drum to keep your dryer spinning as expected.
Over time, the mechanical and electrical parts in the motor can wear out. Excessive heat from oversized loads, lint trap and vent clogs, and a malfunctioning thermostat can accelerate wear and tear.
When that happens, you may hear a buzzing sound when you turn the machine on. Eventually, the drum will stop turning altogether.
You can confirm that the motor is bad by:
- Removing the panel and visually inspecting it for signs of damage, like burnt wires.
- Use a multimeter to test the motor windings for continuity.
- Manually rotate the motor shaft to confirm it turns freely.
You may need a new motor if you note visual damage, problems with continuity, or a seized motor shaft.
How Do You Fix a Dryer That Won’t Spin?
Once you’ve completed the troubleshooting steps, you’ll be ready to decide if it’s time to call for professional repair or if you want to complete DIY repairs. There’s no one right choice, either. You just have to reflect on your skill set, comfort level, and budget to find the best path for you.
To help you decide — or move forward with the repairs — here’s a look at the steps needed to repair each cause of a dryer not spinning.
Door Switch
If your door switch is the cause of your dryer not spinning woes, you’re only eight easy steps away from fixing it. Here’s what to do.
Supplies:
- Replacement door switch
- Wire connectors
- Phillips screwdriver
- Putty knife
- Insulated gloves
Steps:
- Put on your insulated gloves, unplug the dryer, and disconnect the dryer vent hose.
- Remove the lint screen.
- Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws near the lint filter housing.
- Release the clips at either side of the top cover by sliding a putty knife in the seam and lightly twisting while lifting it up.
- Unhook the locking tabs on the electrical connector for the door switch.
- Open the dryer door, remove the two screws in the switch housing, and pull it out the back.
- Install the new switch by putting it in position, securing it with two screws, and plugging it in.
- Reassemble the dryer.
Thermal Fuse
Once you figure out why your thermal fuse blew, you’re okay to replace it with a new one and resume using your dryer. Here’s how.
Supplies:
- Replacement thermal fuse
- Phillips screwdriver
- Nut driver set
- Insulated gloves
Steps:
- Put on your insulated gloves, unplug the dryer, and remove the vent hose.
- Remove the screws holding the back panel and lift it off the dryer.
- Pull the wires off the fuse and disconnect them from the dryer using a nut driver.
- Take the fuse off the blower housing and replace it with the new one.
- Reconnect the wires to the fuse and reassemble the dryer.
Drive Belt
Since the drive belt wraps around the motor pulley and drum, its replacement can feel a bit daunting. It’s possible to complete this as a DIY project, though, if you pay close attention to how it all came apart. Here’s how to complete this repair.
Supplies:
- Replacement drive belt
- Nut driver set
- Phillips screwdriver
- Insulated gloves
- Putty knife
Steps:
- Put on your insulated gloves, unplug the dryer, and disconnect the vent hose.
- Remove the lint screen and use your Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the two screws in the housing.
- Use a putty knife to disengage the latches at either side of the top cover and lift it up.
- Release the locking tabs on the door latch switch and disconnect the wires.
- Take off the front panel by removing all the fasteners with a nut driver and then lift and pull the panel to remove it.
- Look at how the drive belt wraps around the drum, idler pulley, and motor pulley before removing it.
- Wrap the new belt around the drum, idler pulley, and motor pulley with the ribbed side down.
- Reassemble the dryer.
Drum Rollers
Replacing the drum rollers is a rather involved process. You will need to fully disassemble the dryer to access and replace each one. Review the steps below to see if you’re comfortable performing this repair.
Supplies:
- Replacement drum rollers
- Phillips screwdriver
- Putty knife
- Nut driver set
- Insulated gloves
Steps:
- Put on your insulated gloves, unplug the power cord, and remove the vent hose.
- Pull the lint screen out and remove the Phillips screws from the housing.
- With the putty knife, disengage the clips for the top panel and lift it up.
- Disconnect the wires going to the door latch switch.
- Use the nut driver to remove the fasteners holding the front cover on and place the panel to the side.
- Roll the drive belt off the idler and motor pulleys and remove the drum.
- Using the nut driver, partially unscrew the fastener on the drum roller bracket and pull the spring clip off the wheel to move it out of the way.
- Gently pry the triangular clips off the drum roller axle using the putty knife.
- Slide the drum support roller and the rear triangular clip off the shaft.
- Install the new drum roller with two new triangular clips.
- Reverse the steps to reassemble the dryer.
Dryer Motor
The dryer motor replacement process is not for beginners but can be a good DIY project if you have great mechanical skills. If you’d like to proceed, follow these steps.
Supplies:
- New dryer motor
- Screwdriver set
- Nut driver set
- Adjustable wrenches
- Wrench set
- Insulated gloves
Steps:
- Put on your insulated gloves, unplug the dryer, and remove the vent hose.
- Pull out the lint screen and use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws in the housing.
- Release the locking clips at either side of the top cover using a putty knife, and then lift the lid up.
- Disconnect the door latch switch and remove the fasteners on the front cover using a nut driver.
- Release the drive belt from the pulleys and pull the drum out of the dryer.
- Pry out the mounting clamps on the front and rear of the motor using a slotted screwdriver.
- Use an adjustable wrench to hold the blower wheel steady and another wrench to turn the driveshaft at the front of the motor clockwise to loosen the wheel.
- Remove the screws holding the back panel and place it to the side.
- Unscrew the air duct as well and place it with the back cover.
- Spin the blower wheel clockwise and pull it off the driveshaft.
- Remove the wire harness from the motor after using a slotted screwdriver to release the locking tab.
- Replace the old drive motor with a new one and reverse these steps to install it in the machine.
- Reassemble the dryer.
The exact steps needed to complete each repair vary depending on your dryer type, model, and production year. Whirlpool repairs differ greatly from LG, for example. If you’d like the exact steps for your model, consult your owner’s manual or speak with an appliance repair technician.
Can You Prevent a Dryer From Not Spinning?
Preventing a dryer from not spinning is all about reducing wear and tear and minimizing the risk of damage to its integral parts. Above all else, you want to keep the machine from overheating. Your efforts will help your dryer last much longer and reduce the need for repairs throughout its life.
Use these tips to actively preserve the health of your dryer:
- Maintain proper ventilation by thoroughly cleaning your dryer, lint trap, and ductwork.
- Run smaller loads and distribute the clothing evenly inside the drum before starting it up.
- Listen to your dryer run for a few minutes each load to note any odd sounds that let you know there’s a problem brewing.
When Should You Call a Professional About Your Dryer Spin Issues?
With the right approach, you can troubleshoot and repair common issues with your dryer on your own. But that doesn’t mean you have to. If you ever feel uncertain about what to do or otherwise uncomfortable with the process, an appliance repair expert can help.
The professional dryer repair services might not be as much as you think, either. Depending on what’s wrong with your appliance, you’ll typically pay anywhere from $50 to $500 for the repairs. A broken dryer switch is the least expensive thing to fix, while a motor replacement costs the most. If you have a good home warranty, it’ll likely cover all or most of the repair costs.
Whether you hire a professional or go the DIY route, the repairs will ensure you have a dryer that spins properly with the press of a button. You’ll save time, energy, and money on laundry day as a result, making it all worthwhile.
