One of the primary reasons your dryer isn't tumbling is often a mechanical issue with the drive system, most commonly involving the drive belt.
Common Cause: Broken Drive Belt
A broken drive belt is a very frequent culprit when a dryer drum stops spinning. This belt loops around the drum and connects it to the motor, allowing the motor's power to rotate the drum. If this belt snaps, the motor may still run, but it won't be able to turn the heavy drum filled with clothes.
How to Check Your Drive Belt
As per common troubleshooting methods:
- Open the dryer door.
- Reach inside and attempt to turn the large circular drum by hand.
- Observation: If the drum turns too easily with little to no resistance, this is a strong indicator that the drive belt has likely snapped.
Signs of a Broken Belt
- The dryer powers on, makes noise (like the motor running), but the drum doesn't spin.
- When you manually try to turn the drum, it feels very loose or spins freely.
- You might even hear a thumping sound as a broken piece of the belt hits the drum.
If you suspect the drive belt is broken, it will need to be replaced. This often requires opening the dryer's cabinet, which can vary depending on the model.
While a broken drive belt is a leading cause, other potential issues could prevent tumbling, such as:
- A faulty motor
- A broken idler pulley (which maintains tension on the belt)
- A malfunctioning door switch
- Issues with the control board
However, checking the drive belt is the recommended first step, as it's the most common failure related to tumbling issues.
