Top 5 Reasons for a Dryer to Stop Spinning

A clothes dryer is one of those luxuries that’s easy to take for granted—right until you find it isn’t working when you have a heap of soaking wet laundry on your hands. If your dryer is not spinning or your dryer quit spinning mid-cycle, it’s usually due to a mechanical issue that prevents the drum from tumbling properly.

Many homeowners will find themselves in this unfortunate situation at some point. Laundry appliances are complex machines that take beating from moisture, heat, and the rapid spinning of the drum. Mechanical and electrical parts can and do fail, and homeowners may find their dryer or washing machine won’t spin.

One of the most common laundry appliance issues is a dryer that stops spinning but continues to heat, which typically signals a damaged mechanical component around the drum or motor. If you’ve discovered that your dryer quit spinning, here are five likely causes.

5 Reasons Why Your Dryer Won’t Spin

1.  A broken drive belt. 

Tumble dryers have belts that wrap around the drum and cause it to spin. These belts can break due to general use, leaving nothing to propel the drum. You don’t need to take your dryer apart to check for a broken drive belt. Simply use your hand to spin the drum yourself. If it moves easily with no resistance, the drive belt is likely broken. A broken drive belt is one of the most common reasons a dryer is not spinning, especially if the unit still turns on and produces heat.

2. Worn drum rollers or axles. 

Dryers have two or more drum rollers on axles to support the drum as it spins. Over time, these rollers wear down and don’t spin as freely as they should. This creates resistance against the drum, which can strain other mechanical components and eventually prevent the drum from spinning. You can determine if your drum rollers need to be replaced by spinning them with your hands. If they don’t spin freely, they need to be swapped out. 

Additional tip: If your dryer quits spinning and has been making thumping or rumbling noises, worn drum rollers are a leading suspect.

3. A damaged drum glide. 

A drum glide is a piece of plastic in front of the dryer. It supports the drum as it spins. There is more friction as the glide wears down, and the drum can start to grind against the front of the dryer. This taxes the motor, and the dryer may cease to function. Check your glide for signs of wear, but remember that a worn glide may have already damaged the drum or motor components.

4. A faulty drum bearing. 

The rear of the dryer’s drum is usually supported by a drum bearing. Just like the other mechanical parts in the dryer, the drum bearing can become damaged over time. An especially bad bearing can keep the drum from spinning entirely. A faulty bearing can make a great deal of noise. If you’ve been hearing a lot of grinding or squeaking from the rear of the dryer, a bad bearing could be at fault. Grinding noises paired with a dryer not spinning typically indicate a failing bearing that needs professional replacement.

5. Drum or motor obstructions. 

A dryer not tumbling can sometimes be due to an obstruction of some kind. Small items of clothing or objects that weren’t removed from pockets could become lodged between the drum and housing or in the motor’s blower wheel. Clearing the obstruction may quickly solve the issue if no mechanical parts were damaged. If your dryer quit spinning suddenly in the middle of a load, an obstruction is one of the first things to check.

Special Case: Dryer Not Spinning but Heating

When you encounter a dryer that heats up but doesn’t spin, the issue is narrowed down to mechanical movement—not electrical or heating components. This scenario indicates the motor is powering the heating element but cannot turn the drum.

Common Causes of a Dryer Not Spinning but Heating

• Broken belt
• Worn drum rollers or glides
• Burnt-out motor start capacitor
• Motor failure
• Obstruction blocking the drum

Safety Note: If your dryer hums but won’t spin, turn it off immediately. A jammed drum can burn out the motor, leading to more expensive repairs.

When the Clothes Dryer Is Not Heating

A dryer not heating is a different issue entirely. This can stem from:

• A tripped breaker
• Faulty heating element
• Malfunctioning thermostat
• Blown thermal fuse
• Venting blockages

Regular maintenance, like cleaning the lint trap and ensuring proper airflow, can prevent many heating issues. If you’re unsure, contacting a professional appliance repair service is recommended.

Can You Still Use a Dryer that is Not Spinning?

If your dryer won’t spin, you may wonder if you can still use it. While technically possible, it’s not recommended:

• Clothes won’t dry evenly
• The heating element can overheat
• You risk damaging internal components

Using a dryer not spinning can lead to costlier repairs, so it’s best to turn the unit off until the issue is resolved.

Additional Troubleshooting for a Dryer Not Spinning

To further diagnose why your dryer quit spinning, check:

• The door switch — If faulty, the dryer won’t spin even if it heats.
• The belt switch (on some models) — Stops the motor if the belt breaks.
• The motor — If you hear a loud humming but no drum movement, the motor may be failing.
• The idler pulley — A seized pulley prevents the belt from turning.

These additional steps improve your odds of identifying the exact failure.

How to Save Money on Dryer Repair

While it’s possible to troubleshoot and repair your dryer by yourself, most people don’t know how to fix a tumble dryer that won’t spin. It’s usually more convenient to hire a professional to take care of the problem. But this doesn’t mean you need to front the dryer repair cost by yourself. A home warranty with appliance coverage can significantly reduce repair expenses when your dryer stops spinning.

Liberty Home Guard has home warranty plans that cover dryers, washing machines, and many other home appliances. Call (866)-984-0318 to reach out to our team and learn more.