Dryer not spinning

What to expect when you experience a dryer not spinning issue

Why is my dryer not spinning?

From simple failures such as lack of electrical power to complicated issues such as a bad control or failed drive motor, follow this expert advice on how to find and fix the problem when your dryer is not spinning.

Lack of Electrical Power

When your dryer control doesn’t light up or the dryer doesn’t appear to have any electrical power at all, check the power cord to make sure that it’s securely plugged into a working outlet. Plug the power cord back in if you find it unplugged.

If the dryer is plugged in, check the house circuit breaker to see if it has tripped. Reset the house circuit breaker for the dryer if you find it tripped.

If the dryer still won’t power up, the outlet may not be working. If you have a gas dryer, plug in a night light or small appliance to see if the dryer outlet is working. If the outlet is dead, have an electrician repair the outlet.

If you have an electric dryer and you suspect that the outlet is dead, have an electrician check the dryer outlet.

If the electrical outlet is okay and you have an electric dryer, check the power cord wiring on the terminal block at the back of the dryer. Reconnect any loose wires. Here’s an image that shows the typical wiring configuration for the power cord on an electric dryer:

Fixing a power cord wiring problem may restore power to the dryer so it runs properly.

If the dryer still won’t power up after following these troubleshooting tips, you’ll likely need to have a service technician visit your home and fix the dryer.

Door Switch Failure

If the dryer has power, a door switch failure is one of the most common causes of the appliance not spinning.

Push in on the dryer door to make sure that it is shut fully. If the dryer still won’t start, check the door switch using this procedure:

1. Open the dryer door.
2. Press in on the door switch to see if the drum light inside the dryer turns off.

If the drum light turns off when you press the door switch in, then the dryer door switch is almost certainly working properly and your can skip to the next cause.

If the drum light stays on when you press the door switch, then you’ve likely found the cause of the spinning failure. Replace the door switch.

Here’s a video that shows how to replace the door switch in common types of clothes dryers:

If you’re unable to replace a bad dryer door switch on your own, schedule dryer repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician replace the part and fix the dryer.

Bad Push-to-Start Switch

If you’re dryer has a dial timer and the drive motor doesn’t start when you press the push-to-start switch, that component may have failed.

To check the door switch, open the dryer door and push the door switch in. While holding the door switch in, push the start switch. You should hear a click as the relay engages. Then release the door switch and you should hear a click as the relay disengages. If you heard the clicks, the start switch is probably okay.

If you don’t hear the push-to-start relay engaging and disengaging, you’ll likely need to replace the push-to-start switch. Here’s a video shows how to replace the push-to-start switch on common types of clothes dryers:

If your dryer uses a control panel and an electronic control board, then you may need replace the control panel or the electronic control board when the start button isn’t working.

Have a service technician diagnose and repair the dryer if you’re uncertain which part to replace.

Blown Thermal Fuse in an Electric Dryer

In most electric dryers, a thermal fuse will trip and prevent the dryer from starting if the dryer overheats due to a clogged exhaust vent duct system.

If the dryer has been running hot and you find that the exhaust vent system is clogged with lint, you’ll likely need to replace the thermal fuse.

Here’s a video that shows how to replace the thermal fuse in common types of clothes dryers:

Schedule dryer repair service to have a service technician fix the dryer if you’re uncertain that you can safely fix the dryer yourself.

Broken Drive Belt

Some dryer use a broken belt switch that prevents the drive motor from running if the drum belt breaks. In other dryer models, the motor will run but the drum won’t spin with a broken drive belt.

You can check for a broken drive belt by unplugging the dryer and lifting or removing the top panel. If you discover that the drum belt is broken, replace it. Here’s a video that shows how to replace the drive belt in a common type of clothes dryer:

Have a service technician replace a broken drive belt in your dryer if you can’t replace the part yourself.

Bad Drive Motor

A bad drive motor won’t spin the drum. When the motor is getting electrical current but won’t run, you’ll need to replace it.

If you suspect or know that the drive motor is bad, replace it. Here’s a video that shows how to replace the drive motor in a common type of clothes dryer:

If you’re uncertain whether the drive motor is bad or you’re unable to replace it on your own, have a service technician repair the dryer.

Defective Control

Whether your dryer uses an electro-mechanical timer or an electronic control board, a failure in that component can prevent the drive motor from getting electrical current to run and spin the drum.

Diagnosing a failure in an electronic control board is typically difficult and normally requires the expertise of a technician. The tech will check for electric current coming from the control board to run the drive motor. This type of live voltage diagnosis shouldn’t be performed by DIY’ers. When you suspect that a bad electronic control board is preventing the dryer from running, we recommend that you schedule service to have a professional fix the problem.

If your dryer uses an electro-mechanical timer, you can unplug the dryer and set the timer dial to run a cycle and check for continuity through the wires connected to the timer that supply current to the drive motor. On many dryers, you’ll need to measure continuity through the black and light blue wires connected to the timer. If the internal contact timer contact between those two wires is bad, then you’ll measure an open circuit and you’ll need to replace the timer. Replace the timer if that internal contact is bad.

Here’s a video that shows how to replace the timer in a common type of clothes dryer:

If you’re not confident that you can safely diagnose and repair a dryer timer failure, schedule dryer repair service to have a service technician fix the dryer.

Wiring Failure

A wiring failure in the drive motor circuit will prevent the motor from getting electrical current and running. This type of failure is difficult to diagnose. You’ll typically need to have a service technician examine the dryer to find and fix a wiring failure.

The technician will use the wiring diagram for your dryer to check continuity through the entire drive motor circuit and will find and fix the broken wire or wires.

While additional failures can prevent your dryer from running, these 8 problems are the most prevalent. You can likely fix your dryer when it won’t spin the drum by following the tips outlined above.

When you’re unable to find and fix a problem preventing your dryer from spinning on your own, schedule service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the dryer.

How to fix a dryer that is not spinning

Addressing most issues where the dryer isn't spinning typically entails replacing components such as the drum belt, heating element, or drum bearing. However, given the variety of potential causes, a comprehensive diagnosis is crucial for effectively resolving the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential for understanding the cost of the repair.

Sears Home Services advice for a dryer that is not spinning

If your dryer isn't spinning, there could be various reasons behind it. To prevent unnecessary part replacements, we suggest having a Sears Home Services expert conduct diagnostic tests to pinpoint the exact cause of the issue. Our technicians are skilled at diagnosing a wide range of dryer problems.

When you’re searching for GE dryer repair near me to fix a problem, schedule an appointment with Sears Home Services.

What to consider with a dryer not spinning diagnosis

Understanding and fixing issues with modern appliances can be hard without the right knowledge and training. If you don't use the correct diagnostic methods, trying to repair your dryer might just involve randomly replacing parts. Appliances, especially those made in the last decade, have become very advanced, with electronic components that are tricky to assess. Doing DIY repairs on the latest models is getting tougher.

Dryer Gets Hot but Won’t Spin Troubleshooting

When your dryer gets hot but won’t spin, unplug the dryer and check the drum belt. A broken drum belt won’t spin the drum even though the dryer will heat. Replace the dryer drum belt if it’s broken.

Another failure that can cause your dryer to get hot but not spin is a wiring failure. A short in the heating element or wiring going to the heating element cause the dryer to heat even though it won’t spin. It’s best to have a service technician diagnose and repair this type of problem. Don’t use the dryer until it is repaired when you suspect that a short is causing your dryer to get hot but not spin.

In dryers with an electronic control board, a bad relay on the control board and a short circuit in heating element wiring could cause the dryer gets hot but won’t spin symptom. As noted above, if you suspect a short circuit in the dryer, stop using the appliance until you have it repaired.

When you need to have your clothes dryer repaired because it gets hot but won’t spin, trust Sears Home Services to repair your dryer quickly and correctly. Our experienced technician know how to fix every brand and type of dryer.

Why is My Dryer Getting Hot but Not Spinning?

Understanding the reasons why your dryer is getting hot but not spinning will help you determine how to troubleshoot the problem. The dryer motor must be running for the dryer to heat. The centrifugal switch on the dryer drive motor completes the electrical circuit through the heating element or gas valve. When the motor isn’t running, the heating system won’t get current unless there is a wiring short in the heating system circuit.

If the dryer drive motor is running and dryer is getting hot but not spinning, a broken drum drive belt is the most likely cause of the problem. Checking the drive belt is an essential troubleshooting step when your dryer is getting hot but not spinning.

If the dryer motor is not running while the dryer is heating, then a short circuit in the internal electrical system of the dryer is likely causing the problem. Stop using the dryer and have it examined by a Sears Home Services technician to avoid getting shocked by the internal short.
A dryer drum that won’t rotate often results from worn belts, jammed rollers, or a stalled motor. Leaving clothes damp fosters mildew odors. A dryer repair near me appointment restores motion for fresh, well-dried laundry in fewer steps.