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  1. Repair
  2. Kenmore
  3. Dryer not spinning

Kenmore dryer not spinning

Common reasons your Kenmore dryer is not spinning

The most common reasons your Kenmore dryer is not spinning are a broken drum belt, open heating element or a worn drum bearing.

  • 53%

    53% of the time it's the
    Drum Belt

  • 17%

    17% of the time it's the
    Heating Element

  • 6%

    6% of the time it's the
    Drum Bearing

  • 24%

    24% of the time it's the
    Something else

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    Most common repairs needed to fix a Kenmore dryer

    Drum Belt Replacement

    When your dryer is not spinning, a broken drum belt could be causing the problem. The drum belt wraps around the dryer drum and connects to the drive motor pulley. The drive motor rotates the belt to spin the drum. Over time, the drum belt becomes worn and can break. A switch on the idler pulley prevents the motor from starting when it senses that the drive belt is broken. When the dryer won’t start, have a Sears Home Services Technician check your dryer and replace the drum belt if it’s broken.


    How to replace a dryer drum belt

    Heating Element Replacement

    If your dryer is not spinning, an open heating element could be causing the problem. The electronic control board on the dryer will detect when the heating element is open (or broken). When the control senses a bad heating element, it won’t start the dryer motor until the bad heating element is replaced. When your dryer is not spinning, schedule service through Sears Home Services and we’ll send a technician to your home to fix the dryer.

    Drum Bearing Replacement

    A worn drum bearing can stop the dryer from spinning by overheating the dryer drive motor. Friction caused by a worn drum bearing will cause the drive motor to overheat and trip the overload that protects the motor from damage. A worn drum bearing can also slow the rotation of the drum and blower wheel so the thermal fuse blows. When your dryer stops spinning, have a Sears Home Services Technician examine the dryer and replace the drum bearing if it’s worn.

    What to expect when you experience a Kenmore dryer not spinning issue

    How is the not spinning problem fixed?

    Correcting most not spinning problems usually involves replacing the drum belt, heating element or drum bearing. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

    Sears Home Services recommendations for a dryer that is not spinning

    When the dryer is not spinning it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of dryer failures.

    What to look out for with a dryer not spinning diagnosis

    Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dryer problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

    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

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    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 dual ice maker is a feature in some refrigerators that includes two separate ice makers: one in the fridge compartment and another in the freezer section. This setup doubles the appliance's ice-making capacity.

    A dual inverter air conditioner incorporates advanced inverter technology with two rotary compressors, providing ultra-efficient cooling with minimal noise and energy consumption. This innovation offers a significant leap in air conditioning technology, providing precise temperature control and longer-lasting performance.

    Additional possible Kenmore dryer symptoms you may experience

    • Kenmore dryer burning smell
    • Kenmore dryer drum roller replacement
    • Kenmore dryer light not working
    • Kenmore dryer no heat
    • Kenmore dryer no power
    • Kenmore dryer noisy
    • Kenmore dryer not drying
    • Kenmore dryer not heating
    • Kenmore dryer not starting
    • Kenmore dryer not turning on
    • Kenmore dryer not working
    • Kenmore dryer stopped working
    • Kenmore dryer won't turn off