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If your dryer won’t spin, the cause may be a basic problem that you could attempt to fix on your own. Start by checking for the simplest possible reasons that an electric or gas dryer won’t spin. For example, make sure your dryer is plugged in, check the circuit breakers, and look for items jamming the drum.
With a few simple tools and a little time, you may be able to get your dryer spinning again. But if these troubleshooting tips don’t fix your dryer, make a service appointment with your local Mr. Appliance.
“Why Won’t My Dryer Spin?”: Check the Simple Reasons First
Start troubleshooting your dryer malfunction by checking out this list of the most common causes for a dryer not spinning, and review our expert suggestions for resolving each situation.
- Debris is jamming the drum.
Sometimes someone forgets to empty their pockets before starting a load of laundry. Check the space between the dryer drum and its housing for objects like coins, toy cars, or even socks. Needle-nose pliers are handy for removing any small items you find.
- The dryer door latch is broken.
Sometimes a dryer won’t spin because it can’t sense that the door is closed, so the heating element and drum will not engage. Door latches are affordable, widely available, and easy to replace.
- One of the dryer’s circuit breakers is tripped.
Electric dryers need two 120v breakers to work: one to run the motor that turns the drum, and one to power the heating element. One tripped dryer breaker would explain why it gets hot but the dryer is not spinning. If any breakers are tripped in your electrical panel, reset them.
- The inside of the dryer might be dirty.
Lint and other debris can get inside the dryer housing. As the crud accumulates, the motor may stop functioning normally. Sometimes, all it takes to get a dryer going again is to vacuum the dust out of it. If you can’t get all the debris out with your vacuum, try a leaf blower.
“Still, My Dryer Won’t Spin”: More Complex Reasons for Dryer Malfunction
If you tried the simple solutions above and your dryer is still not spinning, it’s time to investigate more complex scenarios:
- The drive belt is broken or slipped out of place.
You can test the drive belt by simply reaching inside the dryer and turning the drum. If you feel little or no resistance, the belt probably isn’t working. Follow the instructions in your owner’s manual to open the dryer housing and find the long, thin drive belt. If it’s dried out, cracked, or broken, it will need to be replaced. Some homeowners may attempt to replace their own drive belt, but it can be a complex job. If you need expert assistance, contact your local Mr. Appliance for a dryer repair appointment.
- The dryer pulley assembly is broken.
The dryer pulley assembly holds the drive belt tight against the drum and motor. If your drive belt has slipped out of place but doesn’t seem damaged, a broken pulley assembly is the likely culprit for the dryer not spinning. Have this complex component replaced by a dryer repair expert.
- The drum rollers or drum glides are worn out.
The drum rollers and glides are the parts that allow the drum to rotate smoothly. When these parts go bad, it creates resistance and overloads the motor so your dryer won’t spin. The older your dryer is, the greater the chance that your drum rollers or glides could be wearing down. Replacing these parts is best left to a professional repair technician.
Frustrated that Your Dryer Won’t Spin? Mr. Appliance Can Help
If you have done all the troubleshooting you can and, still, your dryer won’t spin, it’s time to call an appliance repair expert. There could be other issues going on related to electrical components or other intricate parts of the dryer, and problems like this should be safely diagnosed and repaired by a trained professional. Mr. Appliance has the qualified and courteous repair experts you need to get your dryer spinning again. Our local teams offer up-front pricing, flexible scheduling, and guaranteed quality parts and workmanship.
Dirty laundry piles up fast, so call Mr. Appliance today or schedule service online.
Were you disgusted by all the dust you found inside your dryer? Molly Maid can help you keep those dust bunnies under control. Molly Maid is part of the Neighborly family of home service companies, so you know you can trust their cleaning professionals to provide excellent service.
