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HomeRepair HelpKenmore Dryer RepairKenmore Dryer drum not turning Repair
My Kenmore Dryer is Not Spinning
If your dryer drum is not turning, you likely have a simple mechanical problem you can diagnose and fix. The most common cause is a broken drive belt — if the drum spins freely by hand the belt is usually the culprit. Less commonly the timer can fail, but that is rare and only after you’ve checked the parts below. Worn drum rollers or damaged roller axles often cause the drum to bind and overload the motor, and a stuck idler pulley can keep the belt from staying under tension. An obstructed blower wheel can also stop the drum if the motor is being held up. In short, start with the drive belt, then inspect the timer only if everything else checks out, and then check rollers, axles, the idler pulley and the blower wheel. If you need a replacement, enter your model number at RepairClinic.com to find the exact part and step-by-step videos to get your dryer spinning again.
01 - Kenmore Dryer Drive Belt
The drive belt is a very long, slender belt that wraps all the way around the dryer drum, around a tension pulley, and then around the drive motor pulley. Over time, the belt can break from normal use. If the belt is broken, the dryer won’t turn. To quickly determine if the belt is broken, reach into the dryer and turn the drum by hand. If the drum spins very easily, the belt is likely broken. Next, inspect the belt to confirm that it is broken. If the belt is broken, replace it.
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02 - Kenmore Dryer Timer
A dryer drum not turning could be caused by a faulty timer. However, this is very rarely the case. Before replacing the timer, check all the more commonly defective parts. If you determine that all of the other components are working properly, test the timer by using a multimeter and consulting the wiring diagram. If the timer is defective, replace it.
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03 - Kenmore Dryer Drum Roller
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, the dryer 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 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 roller shaft can often be reused if it is in good condition. Clea...
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04 - Kenmore Dryer Blower Wheel
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.
Highly Likely
05 - Kenmore Dryer Drum Roller Axle
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 replac...
Highly Likely
06 - Kenmore Dryer Idler Pulley
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my dryer drum not turning?
How can I tell if the drive belt is broken?
Why is my dryer making a grinding or squeaking noise when the drum turns?
My dryer starts then stops or the drum stalls — what should I check?
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