Why Your Dryer Stopped Spinning

In terms of dryer repair situations, that moment in which the dryer stops spinning is usually one that fills us with dread. At Express Repair GTA, we can get to the root of the problem with any dryer that has stopped spinning.

At the same time, we also understand that you may want to see if anything can be done on your own. This is where dryer maintenance can be helpful. There are a lot of things you can do on your own. This is particularly true with things that can lessen the likelihood of a dryer that has ceased to spin, or is performing erratically in some similar fashion.

When Your Dryer Stops Spinning

One of the worst aspects when your dryer stops spinning? The fact that it could be any number of potential issues. Many of these are relatively minor. Others can point to something more problematic with your dryer. If you don’t have a lot of experience with your dryer, it may be a good idea to avoid trying to diagnose the problem on your own.

Still, when you put a load of towels in the dryer, and nothing happens, it stands to reason that you are going to want to get to the root of the problem:

• Is it plugged in? This is the kind of thing that happens to all of us at some point.
• What about the circuit breaker? Make sure the breakers for your dryer are in the on position. If they aren’t, then reset them.
• Dryer door switch: While closing your dryer’s door, a plastic peg should be there. When you close the door, you should hear a little click. This allows the switch to start your dryer. If you find that your peg is bent/broken, then replace it. This is something that can be done easily enough on your own. If the peg is perfect, then you are probably dealing with a failure issue with your switch. It will need replacement.

These are all things you can check out on your own. In the event that the dryer is fine during startup, but then the drum refuses to spin, there are some likely culprits.

Common Reasons Why Dryers Stop Spinning

These are some common reasons why dryers stop spinning. Some of these can be dealt with on your own, but we still don’t necessarily recommend it. More often than not, hiring a professional is the most efficient, cost-effective way to get to the root of the problem:

• Driver belt is broken:

  This is perhaps the most common reason of them all. Turning the drum by hand will help you figure out if the belt is broken. Look for a drum that turns easily, because your driver belt should be providing some resistance while turning. If you want, unplug the dryer, and then remove your lid. This vantage point should let you confirm whether or not the driver belt is indeed broken.

• Drum rollers are worn down:

  Along the back of your drum, you are going to find 2 drum support rollers. When the rollers fail to spin unencumbered, your motor can become victim to overloading. This causes your dryer to cease. You can figure it out by removing your driver belt, and checking the drum rollers. If one of them isn’t spinning very well, or at all, then it’s likely that your drum rollers need replacements.

• Roller axles are worn out:

  Worn-down roller axels can mean your drum rollers will not be able to roll freely. Check the roller axels, while you are checking the drum rollers. Good roller axels are going to be able to spin, without anything in the way of a wobble. If there is a wobble, then you will probably need to replace those roller axels.

• Worn drum glides:

  A drum glide is a smallish plastic piece that is used for supporting the drum. Worn-out drum glides can cause your drum to begin binding. This creates problems with your motor. Check your drum glides for wear and tear.

• The bearing is worn out:

  Your drum bearing provides support to the rear of your drum. This is another element that needs to be in tip-top condition, in order for the motor of your dryer to function properly.

Conclusion

The above should give you a pretty clear idea of everything you are up against. Once again, a lot of these things are best dealt with by the professionals. You don’t want to make any assumptions. Doing so can lead to costly mistakes later on. Thankfully, the work and parts involved in many of the issues highlighted above are nowhere near as troublesome or expensive as you might think.