Quick Answer
- #1 cause: Broken drum belt — drum spins freely by hand, motor still runs
- #2 cause: Bad idler pulley — squealing noise before total failure
- #3 cause: Worn drum bearing/glides — grinding noise, drum drags
- #4 cause: Failed drive motor — humming with no movement
- #5 cause: Faulty door switch — dryer won't start at all
- Repair costs: $100–$250 all-in; $89 diagnostic waived with repair
A dryer that runs but won't spin is one of the most common appliance calls we get in the GTA. Whether you hear the motor humming, feel heat, or the machine simply won't start at all, the problem usually traces back to one of five mechanical components. This guide walks through each cause, how to diagnose it, and what the fix involves for both gas and electric dryers.
Cause 1: Broken Drum Belt
1 Broken Drum Belt Maybe DIY
The drum belt is a long, thin rubber belt that wraps around the dryer drum, over the idler pulley, and connects to the motor pulley. When it breaks, the motor keeps running but the drum stays completely still. This is the single most common reason a dryer stops spinning.
How to diagnose: Open the dryer door and try rotating the drum by hand. If it spins very freely with almost no resistance, the belt is broken — a working dryer drum has noticeable tension. You may also notice the motor hums normally when you press Start.
The fix: The dryer cabinet must be partially disassembled to thread a new belt around the drum. On most brands this involves removing the top panel and front panel to access the drum. This is a manageable DIY repair if you're comfortable with appliance disassembly — video guides exist for most models. Otherwise, a technician can complete the job in about an hour.
Cause 2: Bad Idler Pulley
2 Bad Idler Pulley Call a Tech
The idler pulley maintains tension on the drum belt. As it wears, the wheel bearing degrades — causing a persistent squealing or thumping noise during operation. Eventually the pulley seizes, causing the belt to snap or jump off, stopping drum rotation entirely.
Symptoms: Squeaking, squealing, or rhythmic thumping that gets louder over weeks, followed by the drum stopping. If your dryer was noisy before it stopped spinning, a bad idler pulley is the top suspect.
The fix: Technicians typically replace the idler pulley and drum belt together since the belt must come off to access the pulley. Combining both parts in one service call saves labour costs. Parts cost $20–$50; total repair $100–$180 all-in.
Cause 3: Worn Drum Bearing or Drum Glides
3 Worn Drum Bearing / Glides Call a Tech
The rear drum bearing supports the back of the drum as it rotates. The front drum glides (also called slides or pads) support the front rim. When these wear out, the drum drags, creating a grinding or scraping noise. In severe cases, the drum can bind and stop completely.
Symptoms: Grinding or scraping sounds, especially when the dryer is heavily loaded. The drum may wobble slightly or you may see scorch marks on clothing from the drum dragging on worn plastic glides.
Test: Unplug the dryer, open the door, and manually rotate the drum. A grinding or rough feeling indicates worn bearings or glides.
Gas vs electric note: Gas dryers tend to run hotter, which can accelerate glide wear. If you have a gas dryer that screeches, check glides first before assuming a motor problem.
Cause 4: Failed Drive Motor
4 Failed Drive Motor Call a Tech
The drive motor powers both the drum and the blower fan. Motor failures are less common but do occur, especially on dryers over 10 years old. A failing motor may hum loudly without turning, overheat and shut off mid-cycle, or simply refuse to start.
How to distinguish from a belt failure: If you open the dryer and the drum has resistance when you spin it by hand (belt is intact), but the dryer only hums when you press Start without the drum moving, the motor is the likely culprit.
The fix: Motor replacement is a significant repair — $150–$300 all-in depending on the brand. It's worth doing on a newer machine but for older dryers (12+ years), weigh the repair cost against the value of replacement.
Cause 5: Faulty Door Switch
5 Faulty Door Switch Maybe DIY
Every dryer has a door switch that prevents operation when the door is open. If this switch fails, the dryer receives no signal that the door is closed and refuses to start the drum — even if you can hear a brief hum or the control panel lights up normally.
How to test: Open the dryer door and locate the small plastic plunger switch near the door opening. Press it manually and listen for a click. No click = failed switch. You can also use a multimeter to test for continuity across the switch terminals with the plunger depressed.
The fix: Door switches are inexpensive ($15–$30) and relatively easy to replace on most models. The switch typically clips or screws into the door frame and requires only a Phillips screwdriver. This is a solid DIY repair for a confident homeowner.
Gas vs Electric Dryers: Does the Cause Change?
The drum spinning mechanism is virtually identical in gas and electric dryers — both use the same belt, idler pulley, drum bearing, and motor configuration. The fundamental difference is the heat source: gas dryers use a burner assembly and gas valve while electric dryers use heating elements.
If your gas dryer drum won't spin, follow the exact same diagnosis steps above. The only components unique to gas dryers (igniter, gas valve coils, flame sensor) affect heat generation, not drum rotation. One exception: gas dryers occasionally have a belt switch (also called a drum switch) that cuts power to the gas valve if the belt breaks, as a safety precaution. If your gas dryer drum isn't spinning AND there's no heat, a broken belt could be disabling both.
Dryer Repair Cost Guide
| Repair | DIY Difficulty | Parts Cost | Total (Parts + Labour) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drum belt replacement | Moderate | $15–$40 | $100–$190 |
| Idler pulley replacement | Moderate | $20–$45 | $100–$180 |
| Belt + idler pulley (combo) | Moderate | $35–$70 | $130–$200 |
| Drum bearing/glides | Hard | $25–$60 | $130–$220 |
| Drive motor | Very Hard | $80–$150 | $180–$300 |
| Door switch | Easy | $15–$30 | $100–$150 |
Nick's Appliance Repair: $89 diagnostic fee waived when you proceed with repair. Current promo: $40 OFF any repair.
Quick Diagnosis Checklist
Before Calling a Tech — Check These First
DIY vs Professional Repair
Safe to DIY: Door switch replacement, drum belt on accessible models (Whirlpool, Maytag), lint trap cleaning and vent inspection.
Call a certified technician: Motor replacement, rear drum bearing, any repair on a gas dryer that involves disassembling past the front panel, or any situation where you're unsure if the motor or control board is involved.
Nick's Appliance Repair technicians are certified and serve the Greater Toronto Area including North York, Scarborough, Mississauga, Brampton, and Vaughan. Same-day and next-day appointments are typically available.
Frequently Asked Questions
If the dryer runs (you hear the motor or feel heat) but the drum doesn't turn, the most likely cause is a broken drum belt. The belt wraps around the drum and if it snaps, the motor keeps running but nothing rotates. Open the dryer and try turning the drum by hand — if it spins freely with no resistance, the belt is broken.
Open the dryer door and try to spin the drum by hand. If it rotates very easily with almost no resistance, the drum belt is likely broken. On a working dryer the drum has slight resistance from the belt tension. You may also hear the motor running with no drum movement when you start a cycle.
A failing idler pulley typically makes a squealing, squeaking, or thumping noise during operation. As it wears further it can seize completely, causing the belt to break and the drum to stop spinning altogether. If your dryer has been making noise for weeks before stopping, a seized idler pulley is a strong suspect.
Yes, in most cases. A broken belt or bad idler pulley costs $100–$200 to repair and these parts rarely cause other problems. If your dryer is under 12 years old and the motor or control board is still intact, repair is almost always better value than a new unit. Nick's $89 diagnostic fee is waived when you proceed with the repair.
Yes. The door switch signals that the door is closed before the dryer will start. If the switch fails, the dryer may not start at all or may stop mid-cycle. You can test it by pressing the door switch plunger manually while the door is open — a working switch will click. No click means a failed switch.
The drum spinning mechanism (belt, idler pulley, drum bearing, motor) is virtually identical in gas and electric dryers. The difference lies in how heat is generated. If your gas dryer drum won't spin, follow the same diagnosis steps. The only unique gas component is the igniter and gas valve, which affect heat but not drum rotation.
A dryer drum belt replacement typically costs $100–$190 all-in (parts and labour). The belt itself is an inexpensive part ($15–$40) but the repair requires partially disassembling the dryer cabinet. Nick's Appliance Repair charges an $89 diagnostic fee waived when you book a repair, plus the current $40 OFF promo on any repair.
A humming motor with a stationary drum usually points to a seized drum bearing, a jammed idler pulley, or something caught between the drum and the dryer housing. Unplug the dryer and try to rotate the drum by hand. If it's stiff or won't move, there is a mechanical obstruction or seized bearing that needs a technician's assessment.
Related Dryer Resources
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