When a dryer runs but the drum doesn't turn, the most common cause is a broken drive belt, followed by a worn idler pulley, seized drum rollers or a motor that hums without starting. One quick hand test on the empty drum tells you which direction to look.
Safety first: Unplug the dryer before any test, and on a gas dryer leave the burner area and gas connection to a professional.
Follow the diagnostic path
Step 1: With the dryer unplugged, does the empty drum turn by hand with almost no resistance?
If yes: A broken belt is likely. With an intact belt you'll feel some drag, because the belt connects the drum to the motor and idler pulley. On many models, replacing the belt means removing the front or top panel; follow the manual or call a technician.
If no: Go to Step 2.
Step 2: Is the drum hard to turn, or does it scrape or grind?
If yes: Worn drum rollers, glides or the idler pulley are likely, or something like a coin or bra wire is caught between the drum and the cabinet. Check the lint screen slot and drum seams for objects.
If no: Go to Step 3.
Step 3: When you press Start, do you hear a hum but the motor doesn't run?
If yes: Let go of Start right away. A humming motor that won't spin can overheat. The motor, its start circuit, or a seized drum or pulley may be the cause, and a technician should test it.
If no: Go to Step 4.
Step 4: Do you hear nothing at all when you press Start?
If yes: That's a no-start problem rather than a drum problem: the door switch, start switch, thermal fuse or power supply. Check the breaker, then call a technician.
If no: Go to Step 5.
Step 5: Did the dryer squeal, thump or squeak before the drum stopped?
If yes: Worn rollers or a failing idler pulley often wear out the belt. Replace those parts along with the belt so the new one lasts.
If no: A belt can simply age out. If the drum turns again with a new belt and runs quietly, you're done.
What your answer points to
| What you found | Most likely cause | DIY or technician |
|---|---|---|
| Drum spins with no drag | Broken belt | DIY with the manual, or technician |
| Drum stiff or grinding | Rollers, glides or idler pulley | Technician |
| Object in the drum seam | Foreign object | DIY removal |
| Motor hums, won't turn | Motor or start circuit | Technician |
| Nothing at all | No-start fault | Technician |
Stop and call a technician if
- •You smell burning rubber or hot wiring.
- •The motor hums for more than a second or two.
- •It's a gas dryer and the repair means opening the cabinet near the burner.
Keep it from coming back
- •Don't overload; heavy wet loads strain the belt and rollers.
- •Empty the lint screen every load.
- •Act on new squeaks early, before the belt snaps.
Owen's shop tip: When a belt breaks, I check the idler pulley and rollers in the same visit. A new belt on a worn pulley often means a second call.
Drum still not tumbling? Call ProFix Boston at (617) 812-1425, or see our dryer repair service. If your dryer also cuts out early, read our guide to a dryer that shuts off after a few minutes.