Dryer Drum Not Turning

The dryer blower wheel is the component that circulates the air through the dryer drum. Since the drive motor that rotates the blower wheel will often drive the belt that turns the drum as well, an obstructed blower wheel could prevent the drum from turning. Inspect the blower wheel and housing for any obstruction and replace the component if necessary.

Inspect the idler pulley for the dryer drum belt and make sure it spins freely on the shaft. If the idler pulley is stuck, worn or damaged, we recommend replacing the drum drive belt in addition to replacing the idler pulley.

A dryer's control board controls the voltage being sent to all of the appliance's electrical components. If the board is defective, it may interrupt voltage to the drive motor resulting in the drum not turning. You can inspect the board for signs of damage or a shorted component. You can also use a multimeter to test for voltage reaching the drive motor after reviewing the dryer's wiring diagram.

A dryer's main control board controls the voltage being sent to all of the appliance's electrical components. If the board is defective, it may interrupt voltage to the drive motor resulting in the drum not turning. You can inspect the board for signs of damage or a shorted component. You can also use a multimeter to test for voltage reaching the drive motor after reviewing the dryer's wiring diagram.

Most dryers have two drum rollers on the rear of the drum, and some dryers have two more rollers supporting the front of the drum. The rollers must spin freely to work properly. If the drum rollers are worn out or the axles are damaged, the dryer drum won’t turn properly. To determine if the support rollers are worn out, remove the belt from the dryer and try turning the drum by hand. If the drum does not rotate freely, check the support rollers or axles for wear. If one or more of the rollers are worn out, we recommend replacing all of the rollers at the same time as a preventative measure. (The axle can often be reused if it is in good condition. Clean the axle thoroughly before installing the new rollers.)

If the dryer drum is not turning, an article of clothing may have gotten past the lint screen and is caught in the blower wheel. When this happens the drive motor will either hum but won’t start or will make a lot of noise when trying to start. The blower cover will need to be removed to check for obstructions. If the blower wheel is damaged it will need to be replaced.

If the drum does not turn even though the belt is intact and the drive motor is functioning, it’s possible the drum itself is damaged and unable to rotate properly on the rollers or glides. Inspect the drum assembly for cracks or dents and replace it necessary.

The drive motor turns the drum and the blower wheel to exhaust the air. First, check the motor to see if it makes a humming noise. If the motor still hums, remove the belt from the motor and check the blower wheel to ensure that it is not obstructed. Next, with the belt removed, try rotating the drum by hand. If the drum does not rotate freely, determine what is causing the drum to bind. If the drum turns freely and the blower wheel is clear of obstructions, the drive motor might be defective. If you suspect the motor is at fault, replace it.