Fix a Tumble Dryer Drum Not Turning A DIY Guide

When your tumble dryer drum has stopped turning, the most common culprit is almost always a snapped or slipped drive belt. It’s a simple rubber belt that connects the motor to the drum, but without it, there's no power to make your clothes tumble – even if you can still hear the motor whirring away.

Why Your Tumble Dryer Drum Has Stopped Spinning

Staring at a silent, stationary drum in a machine full of wet laundry is a sight no one wants to see. The spinning action relies on several key components working together; when one fails, the whole system grinds to a halt.

This issue is far more common than you might think. Appliance repair data from 2022 showed that around 28% of all tumble dryer faults reported in the UK were related to the drum not turning. A staggering 62% of those cases were traced back to a snapped or loose drive belt, making it the prime suspect.

The Main Mechanical Culprits

Before you start taking things apart, it helps to know the main players responsible for making the drum go round.

• The Drive Belt: This is a long rubber belt wrapped around the drum, driven by the motor. Over time, it can stretch, fray, or just snap completely.
• Support Rollers/Wheels: These are small wheels, usually at the front or back of the drum, that give it a smooth surface to rotate on. If they get worn down or seize up, the drum can get stuck.
• Motor Capacitor: This little component gives the motor an electrical kick-start. A classic sign of a failed capacitor is a humming sound from the motor, but no movement.

A simple first test is to try turning the drum by hand (with the machine unplugged). If it spins freely with zero resistance, you almost certainly have a broken belt. If it feels stiff, makes a noise, or won’t move at all, the problem is more likely with the support rollers or bearings.

If a DIY fix feels too daunting or you’re short on time, booking a professional tumble dryer repair can get your appliance back in working order quickly and safely. For those ready to tackle it themselves, the following sections will guide you through fixing these common issues.

Essential Safety Checks and Tool Preparation

Before diving into the back of your tumble dryer, let's talk safety. You're dealing with an appliance that combines electricity with sharp metal edges, so setting up a safe workspace is non-negotiable.

First things first: completely disconnect the tumble dryer from the mains power. Unplug it from the wall socket. This simple action is the golden rule of any appliance repair. Once it's unplugged, pull the machine away from the wall to give yourself plenty of room to work.

Gather Your Essential Tools

You don’t need a massive professional kit, just a handful of basics that will see you through most tumble dryer repairs.

Here’s what we’d recommend having on hand:

• A Phillips head screwdriver: For removing the back and top panels.
• A flathead screwdriver: Handy for gently prying open any plastic clips or panels.
• Pliers: Invaluable for gripping stubborn components.
• Protective gloves: The inside of a dryer is full of sharp metal edges.
• A torch or headlamp: It can be dark inside a dryer cabinet, and good light is essential.

With your dryer unplugged and your tools laid out, you're all set to move on to diagnosing the problem with confidence.

How to Diagnose the Exact Problem

With your tools ready and the dryer unplugged, it's time to play detective. Figuring out precisely why your tumble dryer drum isn't turning starts with a simple hands-on test.

Open the dryer door and give the drum a spin by hand. If the drum spins with zero resistance, the drive belt has almost certainly snapped. This is the number one cause of a non-spinning drum.

If the drum feels stiff, makes a grinding or squeaking noise, or is completely jammed solid, the problem is somewhere else. This usually points to issues with the components that support the drum, like seized drum support rollers or worn-out bearings.

Gaining Visual Access Inside the Dryer

To be sure, you need to see the parts. This means safely taking off the dryer's outer panels. Most models are accessible by removing a few screws at the back to get the top lid off. With the lid removed, you'll have a much clearer view. Depending on your dryer's design, you might need to pop off a side or back panel to see the motor and pulley system.

Inspecting the Drive Belt

Once inside, check the drive belt. A healthy belt will be wrapped snugly around the drum and looped around the motor pulley.

• A Snapped Belt: You'll see the broken rubber belt lying limp at the bottom of the machine.
• A Slipped Belt: A belt can stretch over time and slip off the drum or pulley. It'll be in one piece but hanging loose.

Checking the Drum Support Rollers

If the drive belt is on and feels tight, look at the drum support rollers. These are small wheels, usually two at the back, that the drum rests on. Unloop the drive belt from the motor pulley to free up the drum. Now, try to spin each roller with your finger. If one is stiff, noisy, or won't spin at all, you've found your culprit.

A bit of regular maintenance can help these parts last longer. For tips, see our guide on how to clean your tumble dryer for optimal performance.

Replacing a Snapped Tumble Dryer Belt

If the belt has snapped, you’re in luck. A broken belt is one of the most common reasons a tumble dryer drum stops turning, but it’s also one of the simplest DIY repairs.

Finding the Correct Replacement Belt

First, you need the right belt. Tumble dryer belts are made specifically for your machine's make and model. You'll need your dryer’s model number, which is usually on a sticker inside the door, around the frame, or on the back. Once you have that number, you can confidently order the exact replacement belt.

Threading the New Belt

With the old belt removed, you can get the new one on. This part can be a bit fiddly. Start by looping the new belt over the entire drum, placing it where the old one sat. Make sure the grooved side of the belt faces inwards, touching the drum’s surface.

Now for the trickiest bit: getting it around the motor and tensioner.

Engaging the Tensioner Pulley

The tensioner pulley is a small, spring-loaded wheel designed to keep the belt tight.

• Spot the pulleys: Look down at the motor. You should see the motor spindle and the tensioner pulley.
• Create the loop: Grab the belt from underneath the drum and pull a loop of it down towards the motor.
• Thread the belt: First, wrap the belt around the motor spindle. Then, pull the tensioner pulley arm away from the motor to create enough slack to slide the other side of your loop around the tensioner pulley.
• Release and check: Let go of the tensioner arm slowly. It should spring back, pulling the belt taut. Give the drum a gentle spin by hand. You should feel a slight resistance as the belt moves smoothly.

Once the new belt is fitted, you can put your dryer's panels back on, plug it in, and give it a test run.

Troubleshooting Other Common Faults

If the belt is fine, the reason your tumble dryer drum isn’t turning lies elsewhere. It’s time to investigate other common culprits.

Inspecting Worn Drum Support Rollers

Worn-out drum support rollers are a classic cause of a jammed drum. When they fail, you’ll often hear a loud, rhythmic grinding or a high-pitched squeal during a cycle. Eventually, a roller can seize up, the friction becomes too much for the motor, and the drum grinds to a halt.

To check them:

• Unloop the drive belt from the motor pulley.
• Try to spin each roller with your finger. They should turn smoothly.
• Look for any obvious damage like cracks or flat spots.

If you find a damaged roller, it needs replacing. It’s best practice to replace all rollers at the same time.

Dealing with Motor and Capacitor Issues

If the belt and rollers are fine, the issue could be electrical. A big clue is a distinct humming or buzzing noise when you press start, but the drum doesn’t move.

The motor capacitor gives the motor an initial electrical "kick". When it fails, the motor gets power (the hum you hear) but doesn’t have the force to start its rotation. For a confident DIYer, replacing a capacitor is straightforward. Ensure the dryer is unplugged, find the capacitor near the motor, and swap it for a new one with the exact same specifications.

If a new capacitor doesn’t solve the problem, you could be looking at a more serious internal motor failure. At this point, the repair gets more complex. For a deeper dive, check our guide on common tumble dryer problems and solutions.

If you've tried these fixes but your tumble dryer drum is still not turning, or if you'd rather leave it to the experts, our certified Go Assist engineers are ready to help. Book a reliable, fast, and affordable tumble dryer repair online today.