Kenmore Dryer Stopped Spinning

Oe or more of the drum roller axles might be worn out. Most dryers have two drum support 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 roller axles are worn out, the rollers may not spin freely, causing the motor to overload and the dryer to stop. To determine if the drum roller axles 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 axles for wear. If the rollers spin freely without wobbling, the axles do not need to be replaced. If a roller wobbles and/or does not spin freely, we recommend replacing all of the axles and rollers as a preventative measure.

If the dryer stops turning during the cycle, one or more of the drum glides (also called slides) might be worn out. The drum glides are small plastic pieces that support the front of the dryer drum. As the drum rotates, it slides on these plastic pieces. Over time, the drum glides wear out. If the drum glides are worn out, the drum can start binding and put strain on the motor. If this happens, the motor shuts down, preventing the dryer from turning. To determine if the drum glides are worn out, inspect them for wear. If the glides are worn out, replace all of the glides as a set.

The drum bearing supports the rear of the dryer drum. Over time, this bearing wears out. If the drum bearing is worn out, it might put too much strain on the motor, causing the dryer to stop mid-cycle. To determine if the drum bearing is at fault, remove the dryer belt and try turning the drum by hand. If the drum rotates freely, it is unlikely that the drum bearing is worn out. If the drum makes squealing or grinding sounds when turned and/or is hard to turn, check the drum bearing and replace it if necessary.

One or more of the drum roller axles might be worn out. Most dryers have two drum support 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 roller axles are worn out, the rollers may not spin freely, causing the motor to overload and the dryer to stop. To determine if the drum roller axles 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 for wear. If the rollers spin freely without wobbling, the axles do not need to be replaced. If a roller wobbles and/or does not spin freely, we recommend replacing all of the axles and rollers as a preventative measure.

The drum bearing supports the rear of the dryer drum. Over time, this bearing wears out. If the drum bearing is worn out, it might put too much strain on the motor, causing the dryer to stop mid-cycle. To determine if the drum bearing is at fault, remove the dryer belt and try turning the drum by hand. If the drum rotates freely, it is unlikely that the drum bearing is worn out. If the drum makes squealing or grinding sounds when turned and/or is hard to turn, replace the drum bearing.

The dryer's idler pulley puts tension on the drive belt so the belt can rotate the drum during operation. A defective idler pulley can cause the dryer drum to stop spinning. Inspect the idler pulley 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.

The drive motor turns the drum and the blower wheel to exhaust the air. If the dryer runs, stops for a while, and then starts again, this likely indicates that the motor is overheating, causing the dryer to shut off until the motor cools down. First, 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.

The dryness control board shuts off the dryer when the clothes have reached the proper level of dryness. If the control board is defective, it may cause the dryer to stop too early. However, this is rarely the case. Before replacing the control board check all the more commonly defective parts. If you determine that all of the other parts are working properly, replace the dryness control board.

A dryer's heating element is the component that heats the air being circulated through the dryer drum. If the heating element has shorted, it may have tripped the thermal fuse which is often installed on the element. This can cause the dryer to stop spinning mid-cycle.