Kenmore Dryer Drum Will Not Turn but the Motor Runs: Belt, Pulley or Motor?

A Kenmore dryer that hums or whirs while the drum sits still has lost the link between the motor and the drum. In most dryers that link is a belt. The motor is turning, so the question is what stopped carrying the drive to the drum.

A quick hand test

Unplug the dryer and open the door. Turn the drum by hand. A drum that spins freely and quietly with no resistance often has a broken belt. A drum that feels stiff, scrapes or grinds has a problem with its rollers, glides or shaft, and a new belt alone would not fix it.

What each sign suggests

• Thumping that came before the failure: a worn roller or a belt that was flat-spotted.
• A squeal that went away when the drum stopped: the idler pulley or the belt.
• A burning rubber smell: a belt slipping against a seized part.
• No sound at all from the motor: a different path, such as the start switch or the motor itself.

What we check

We remove the front or top panel, depending on the platform, and look at the belt, the idler, the motor pulley and the drum rollers. The prefix on the label tells which layout we are opening. Replacing only a broken belt without examining the idler and rollers can mean a repeat visit in a few weeks.

What cannot be concluded from outside

A belt that has snapped is common, but a seized roller is what often broke it. The sign from outside looks identical. Do not keep running the dryer in the hope the drum will catch, because the motor can overheat and the drum may be loose on its shaft.

Booking

Put the dryer on the list for a dryer repair visit and include the model label. We will quote the repair in writing, with a 30-day warranty on our workmanship.