It's a common problem: You put a load of wet towels in the dryer, only to discover that your dryer won’t spin. There are a variety of issues that might be causing your dryer not to spin, so how can you determine the source of the problem?
Start by checking whether or not your dryer is plugged in. If it is, check your circuit breaker box to ensure that the dryer’s two circuit breakers are both turned on. If they aren’t, reset them.
If the plug and circuit breakers are fine, check the dryer's door switch. When you close the dryer door, a plastic peg should click and allow the switch to start the dryer. If the peg is bent or broken, you’ll need to straighten or replace the peg. If the peg is fine, the switch has probably failed and will need to be replaced.
If your dryer starts, but the drum won’t spin, it's probably due to one of these common reasons.
Related: Need to Vent? A Guide to Cleaning Your Dryer
1. Broken Drive Belt
A broken drive belt is the most common reason a dryer won’t spin. To fix this issue, turn the drum by hand. A working belt should provide some resistance, so if the drum turns very easily and loosely, the belt is probably broken. Unplug your dryer and remove the lid so you can inspect the belt to confirm that it’s broken.
2. Worn Drum Rollers
Most dryers have two drum support rollers on the back of the drum, and some dryers also have two in the front. If the rollers don’t spin freely, the motor will become overloaded, and the dryer will stop. To determine whether the drum rollers are worn out, remove the belt from the dryer and turn the drum by hand. If the drum doesn’t spin freely, check the rollers for wear. If one or more of the rollers don’t turn freely, it’s a good idea to replace them all at the same time.
