KitchenAid
Drum Not Turning – Drive System Failure
Dryer starts but the drum does not turn; humming noise may be heard.
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Broken drive belt, Seized drum rollers, Failed drive motor, Jammed blower wheel
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety First: Unplug the dryer before removing panels. Sharp edges may be present; wear gloves.
- Step 1 – Check drum movement: With the dryer off, open the door and try to rotate the drum by hand. If it spins freely with no resistance, the belt may be broken. If it is very stiff, rollers or motor may be seized.
- Step 2 – Inspect belt: Remove the front panel. Look for a broken or slipped belt around the drum and motor pulley. Replace with the correct OEM belt if broken.
- Step 3 – Inspect rollers and idler: Spin each drum roller and the idler pulley by hand. Replace any that are noisy, wobbly, or seized.
- Step 4 – Check blower wheel: Ensure the blower wheel is not jammed by debris and is firmly attached to the motor shaft.
- Step 5 – Test motor: If the belt and rollers are good but the motor only hums, the motor may be failing and should be replaced.
Reassemble with the new belt properly routed around the idler and motor pulley, then test operation.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
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