Dryer not spinning
Common reasons your dryer not spinning
The most common reasons your dryer is not spinning are a broken drum belt, open heating element or a worn drum bearing.
32% of the time it's the
Drum Belt
26% of the time it's the
Heating Element
9% of the time it's the
Drum Bearing
33% of the time it's the
Something else
Schedule your dryer repair now!
We can help! Our service technicians have repaired over 22.2M dryers. We can fix yours no matter where you bought it.
Common dryer repair parts you may need
Replacing one of these dryer parts may fix your problem.
Drum Belt Replacement
If your dryer isn't turning, a damaged drum belt might be the issue. The drum belt loops around the dryer drum and links to the drive motor pulley. This motor spins the belt to rotate the drum. After a while, the belt can wear out and snap. A safety switch on the idler pulley stops the motor from running if it detects a broken belt. If your dryer won't start, contact a Sears Home Services Technician to inspect and replace the broken drum belt if necessary.
Heating Element Replacement
If your dryer isn't turning, a malfunctioning heating element might be the issue. The dryer's electronic control board will recognize when the heating element is open or broken. If it detects a faulty heating element, it won't initiate the dryer motor until the problem is resolved. If your dryer isn't spinning, arrange for service with Sears Home Services, and we'll dispatch a technician to your home to repair the dryer.
Drum Bearing Replacement
A worn drum bearing can cause the dryer to stop spinning by overheating the drive motor. Friction from the worn bearing can lead the motor to overheat, triggering the overload protection that safeguards it from harm. Moreover, a worn drum bearing can hinder the rotation of the drum and blower wheel, potentially causing the thermal fuse to blow. If your dryer stops spinning, contact a Sears Home Services Technician to inspect the appliance and replace the worn drum bearing if necessary.
What to expect when you experience a dryer not spinning issue
How to fix a dryer that is not spinning
Addressing most issues where the dryer isn't spinning typically entails replacing components such as the drum belt, heating element, or drum bearing. However, given the variety of potential causes, a comprehensive diagnosis is crucial for effectively resolving the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential for understanding the cost of the repair.
Sears Home Services advice for a dryer that is not spinning
If your dryer isn't spinning, there could be various reasons behind it. To prevent unnecessary part replacements, we suggest having a Sears Home Services expert conduct diagnostic tests to pinpoint the exact cause of the issue. Our technicians are skilled at diagnosing a wide range of dryer problems.
When you’re searching for GE dryer repair near me to fix a problem, schedule an appointment with Sears Home Services.
What to consider with a dryer not spinning diagnosis
Understanding and fixing issues with modern appliances can be hard without the right knowledge and training. If you don't use the correct diagnostic methods, trying to repair your dryer might just involve randomly replacing parts. Appliances, especially those made in the last decade, have become very advanced, with electronic components that are tricky to assess. Doing DIY repairs on the latest models is getting tougher.
Dryer Gets Hot but Won’t Spin Troubleshooting
When your dryer gets hot but won’t spin, unplug the dryer and check the drum belt. A broken drum belt won’t spin the drum even though the dryer will heat. Replace the dryer drum belt if it’s broken.
Another failure that can cause your dryer to get hot but not spin is a wiring failure. A short in the heating element or wiring going to the heating element cause the dryer to heat even though it won’t spin. It’s best to have a service technician diagnose and repair this type of problem. Don’t use the dryer until it is repaired when you suspect that a short is causing your dryer to get hot but not spin.
In dryers with an electronic control board, a bad relay on the control board and a short circuit in heating element wiring could cause the dryer gets hot but won’t spin symptom. As noted above, if you suspect a short circuit in the dryer, stop using the appliance until you have it repaired.
When you need to have your clothes dryer repaired because it gets hot but won’t spin, trust Sears Home Services to repair your dryer quickly and correctly. Our experienced technician know how to fix every brand and type of dryer.
Why is My Dryer Getting Hot but Not Spinning?
Understanding the reasons why your dryer is getting hot but not spinning will help you determine how to troubleshoot the problem. The dryer motor must be running for the dryer to heat. The centrifugal switch on the dryer drive motor completes the electrical circuit through the heating element or gas valve. When the motor isn’t running, the heating system won’t get current unless there is a wiring short in the heating system circuit.
If the dryer drive motor is running and dryer is getting hot but not spinning, a broken drum drive belt is the most likely cause of the problem. Checking the drive belt is an essential troubleshooting step when your dryer is getting hot but not spinning.
If the dryer motor is not running while the dryer is heating, then a short circuit in the internal electrical system of the dryer is likely causing the problem. Stop using the dryer and have it examined by a Sears Home Services technician to avoid getting shocked by the internal short.
What our customers say about us
With more than 1.3 Million 5 Star Reviews, you don't have to take our word for it
Excellent service from Daniel
Daniel provided excellent service and was very quick to perform the repair. I have nothing good to say about the warranty program and the LACK of customer service and the inability to contact a human being to talk.
Tammy M, Hilton, NY
Satisfied customer
Excellent technician Very thorough and detail oriented Would be happy to have him work on appliances again He managed to find our ranch headquarters in the middle of the desert
Rose W, Las Cruces, NM
Dryer service
He was professional and polite. I didn't call back later that afternoon, although he replaced a thermostat the smart dry timer doesn't work as I was still having the same issue. The lady said she would email him and have him return. Never heard from anyone else.
Terry F, Oklahoma City, OK
Repair Dryer Resources
Discover if it's worth repairing your dryer with Sears Home Services. Get professional advice and make an informed decision.
Learn how to fix the dC code on your Samsung dryer with expert advice from Sears Home Services. Start your easy, DIY fix today or schedule a repair!
Find the most common Samsung clothes dryer error codes and their solutions. Get professional help from Sears Home Services.
If your dryer refuses to start, consider exploring common reasons why it might not be kicking into gear before calling in the pros.
Glossary Terms
Natural gas is a fossil fuel used primarily for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. It's a hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting mainly of methane, but it also contains smaller amounts of other hydrocarbons and sometimes sulfur compounds.
A gas dryer is a laundry appliance that uses natural gas or propane to generate heat to dry clothes.
A furnace flame sensor is a safety device designed to detect the presence of a flame when the furnace is on, ensuring that gas flows only when it is ignited to prevent dangerous gas leaks.
A microwave diode is an electrical component that allows current to flow in one direction only, playing a crucial role in converting incoming electrical power into the microwave energy that cooks the food.
Common dryer symptoms to look out for
- Dryer won't turn off
- Dryer won't start cycle
- Dryer will not heat up
- Dryer vibrates
- Dryer stopped working
- Dryer not working
- Dryer not turning on
- Dryer not starting
- Dryer not heating
- Dryer not drying clothes properly
- Dryer not drying
- Dryer not draining
- Dryer not cooling down
- Dryer noisy
- Dryer no sound
- Dryer no power
- Dryer no heat
- Dryer makes noise when tumbling
- Dryer light not working
- Dryer leaking water
- Dryer leaking from bottom
- Dryer leaking
- Dryer isn't heating
- Dryer gets hot but takes long time to dry
- Dryer drum roller replacement
- Dryer door not closing
- Dryer display not working
- Dryer burning smell
These dryer brands may also experience not spinning
- Whirlpool dryer not spinning
- Samsung dryer not spinning
- Roper dryer not spinning
- Maytag dryer not spinning
- Magic Chef dryer not spinning
- LG dryer not spinning
- Kenmore Elite dryer not spinning
- Kenmore dryer not spinning
- Hotpoint dryer not spinning
- Haier dryer not spinning
- GE Profile dryer not spinning
- GE dryer not spinning
- Frigidaire dryer not spinning
- Fisher & Paykel dryer not spinning
- Estate dryer not spinning
- Electrolux dryer not spinning
- Crosley dryer not spinning
- Bosch dryer not spinning
- Amana dryer not spinning
- Admiral dryer not spinning