Whirlpool
Broken Belt or Seized Drum Support
Dryer drum does not turn, but motor hums or you hear a buzzing sound
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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 idler pulley, Seized drum roller, Overloaded drum
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety First: Unplug the dryer before opening any panels.
- Check drum movement: 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 hard to turn, a roller or idler may be seized.
- Access belt and supports: Remove the front panel and lift out the drum to inspect the belt, idler pulley, and rollers.
- Replace broken belt: If the belt is broken or frayed, install a new Whirlpool drive belt, routing it correctly around the motor pulley and idler.
- Inspect idler and rollers: Spin the idler pulley and rollers. Replace any that are noisy, rough, or seized.
- Reassemble and test: Reinstall the drum and panels, restore power, and run a cycle to confirm the drum turns smoothly.
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Repair Difficulty
Medium
3/5
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