Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if your appliance needs repair. However, if you find your Whirlpool dryer drum not turning, it’s a clear sign something is amiss.
Troubleshoot a Whirlpool Dryer Drum Not Turning
These straightforward steps can help you determine if a simple fix will do the trick or if a more serious problem is the culprit when your Whirlpool dryer drum won’t turn.
Whirlpool Dryer Drive Belt Broken
The drive belt is one of the main workhorses of your Whirlpool dryer. It’s a long, thin belt that winds around your entire dryer drum as well as around the drive motor and tension pulley components. Normal wear and tear can cause the drive belt to break and, when this happens, the Whirlpool dryer won’t spin.
A clear sign that you have a broken drive belt on your hands is if the drum spins rapidly and with ease when you turn it manually. In this case, the belt will have to be replaced.
Drum Rollers Worn Out
The majority of all Whirlpool dryers have two rollers on the rear part of the drum, while some also have another two in the front. If any one of these rollers is worn out, you’ll find your Whirlpool dryer drum not turning.
To determine if this is the problem, remove the drive belt and try to turn the dryer drum by hand. If you find the dryer drum hard to turn by hand, it’s likely that at least one of the rollers is worn out. To avoid multiple repairs, it’s recommended to replace all of the drum rollers at the same time.
Drum Glides or Pads Worn Out
Drum glides (or pads) are plastic pieces at the front of the dryer drum that provide support. When the drum turns during a drying cycle, it slides over these glides and they can get worn out over time, often leading to a squeaky dryer. If the glides are worn out your dryer’s motor will experience strain, shut down, and the Whirlpool dryer drum not turning problem will arise.
If you inspect the glides and at least one shows evidence of wear and tear, it’s best to replace all of them at once as well.
Drum Bearing Needs Replacement
The drum bearing provides support to the rear of the dryer drum and, with time, can also wear out. To figure out if this has happened, remove the drive belt and try to turn the drum manually. If the drum bearing is broken, the drum will be hard to turn by hand or will make a screeching or grating sound when turned. In this instance, the bearing will need to be replaced.
While you can tackle many of these troubleshooting tips on your own, sometimes you may prefer a professional eye to take a look and provide replacement parts. We are happy to provide any dryer repair service to get your Whirlpool dryer back up and spinning.
