Dryer Drum Not Turning? How to Fix It

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Paradise Appliance
April 1, 2022
Dryer Repair

Is your dryer drum not turning? Then this is the guide for you. To help you find the faulty part in your dryer that is causing this to happen, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide for you to follow.

Although most dryer makes and models are built slightly differently, this guide should work for almost every one of them, as most dryers have the components in them that we discuss in this guide.

Check the drive belt

The first component to check and rule out as the cause of your dryer drum not turning is the drive belt. The drive belt goes around the drum and assists it to rotate when you turn your dryer on. If the belt becomes damaged or moves out of position, your dryer drum might not be able to turn. 

Checking the drive belt involves two steps:

  1. Open your dryer door, and try to turn the drum by hand. If the drum moves around without any resistance, this means the drive belt is almost certainly faulty and will need to be replaced. However, if there is some resistance, you can assume the drive belt is working and move on to checking the next component.
  2. If there is no resistance when turning the drum, the second step is to replace it. This can be done by removing the panels of the dryer, locating the drive belt, removing it, and then installing a new one. When replacing the drive belt, make sure the two pulleys it goes through are also working properly. If the pulleys are damaged, they will need to be replaced. Once installation is complete, your dryer should start working again. If not, check the next component.

Check the drum rollers

If you rule out the drive belt as the cause of your dryer drum not turning, check the drum rollers. The drum rollers are another component that helps the drum move around.

Checking the drum rollers involves two steps:

  1. Try to turn the drum around by hand, and when doing so, check if anything is obstructing it. If the drum does move around without obstruction, you can move on to checking the next component.
  2. If the drum is being obstructed, remove the dryer panels (if you haven’t already) and locate the rollers. Once located, check them for any signs of damage. If damaged, they will need to be replaced. Once replaced, check if your dryer drum now works. If not, move on to checking the next component.

Check the drum bearing

The role of the drum bearing in your dryer is to support the back of the drum so that it can turn correctly during a cycle. The best way to check if the drum bearing is faulty or not is to check for any grinding noises when you turn the drum around. 

Here’s what to do: 

  1. Make sure the power is still switched off, and if you haven’t already, remove the dryer’s panels so you can access the internal components.
  2. Remove the drive belt from the dryer drum.
  3. Rotate the drum, and listen for any grinding noises when you turn it. If you can hear an obvious grinding noise, the bearing will need to be replaced. If you don’t hear a noise, move on to checking the next component.
  4. Once you replace the bearing, check if your dryer now works. If not, check the next component.

Check the drum glides

The drum glides (or slides) help to ensure the front of the dryer drum stays in position. If they get damaged, your dryer drum might not turn. To ensure they work, you need to manually inspect them. 

Here’s what to do: 

  1. Make sure the power is still switched off, and if you haven’t already, remove the dryer’s panels so you can access the internal components.
  2. Locate the drum glides, and check them for any wear and tear.
  3. If damaged, replace them. If they are fine, you can proceed to check the next component in this guide.
  4. If you replace the glides, check if your dryer now works. If not, check the next component.

Check the start switch

If you still haven’t found the cause of your dryer drum not turning, the next step to fix the problem involves checking some important electrical components. To carry out these checks you will need a multimeter.

The first component to check is the start switch. The start switch tells the control board that it’s safe for your dryer to start. If it becomes defective, your dryer won’t start, and the dryer drum won’t turn.

Here’s how to check it:

  1. Make sure the power is still switched off, and if you haven’t already, remove the dryer’s panels so you can access the internal components.
  2. Locate the start switch and disconnect it (if you’re unsure where it is, consult your user manual).
  3. Test the switch with your multimeter for continuity.
  4. If defective, replace it. If it’s working fine, move on to checking the next electrical component.
  5. If you do replace the switch, turn your dryer back on and check if the dryer drum can now turn. If it’s still not working, check the next electrical component.

Check the door switch

The second switch to check is the door switch. Just like the start switch, this switch is there to ensure your dryer is safe to turn on. Sometimes it can become faulty and stop your dryer from starting even if the door is properly closed.

Here’s how to check it:

  1. Make sure the power is still switched off, and if you haven’t already, remove the dryer’s panels so you can access the internal components.
  2. Locate the door switch (if you’re unsure where it is, consult your user manual).
  3. Test the door switch with your multimeter for continuity.
  4. If defective, replace it. If it’s working fine, move on to checking the next electrical component.
  5. If you do replace the door switch, turn your dryer back on, and check if the dryer drum can now turn. If it’s still not working, check the next electrical component.

Check the thermal fuse

The thermal fuse stops your dryer drum from turning when it deems that your dryer is overheating. If it has become faulty, your dryer will not be able to turn. 

Here’s how to check it:

  1. Make sure the power is still switched off, and if you haven’t already, remove the dryer’s panels so you can access the internal components.
  2. Locate the thermal fuse and disconnect it (if you’re unsure where it is, consult your user manual).
  3. Test the thermal fuse with your multimeter for continuity.
  4. If defective, replace it. If it’s working fine, move on to checking the next electrical component.
  5. If you do replace the thermal fuse, turn your dryer back on and check if the dryer drum can now turn. If it’s still not working, check the next electrical component.

Check the timer

The next electrical component to check is the timer. The timer controls how long the cycle runs. If it becomes faulty, your dryer might stop when it shouldn’t, and the drum will not be able to turn around.

Here’s how to check it:

  1. Make sure the power is still switched off, and if you haven’t already, remove the dryer’s panels so you can access the internal components.
  2. Locate the timer and disconnect it (if you’re unsure where it is, consult your user manual).
  3. Test the timer with your multimeter for continuity.
  4. If the timer is defective, replace it. If it’s working fine, move on to checking the next electrical component.
  5. If you do replace the timer, turn your dryer back on, and check if the dryer drum can now turn. If it’s still not working, check the next electrical component.

Check the drive motor

The final electrical component to check is the drive motor. When the motor becomes faulty your dryer won’t start, and the drum will not be able to turn.

Here’s how to check it:

  1. Make sure the power is still switched off, and if you haven’t already, remove the dryer’s panels so you can access the internal components.
  2. Locate the drive motor and disconnect it (if you’re unsure where it is, consult your user manual).
  3. Test the drive motor with your multimeter for continuity.
  4. If the drive motor is defective, it will need to be replaced.
  5. If you do replace the drive motor, turn your dryer back on, and check if the dryer drum can now turn.
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