Whirlpool Dryer Not Spinning? Diagnosis and Repair Guide

Your Whirlpool dryer tumbles faithfully load after load—until one day it doesn't. A dryer that heats but won't spin leaves you with warm, wet clothes and a frustrating problem to solve. The good news: this is a common issue with identifiable causes.

Let's diagnose why your Whirlpool dryer stopped spinning.

How the Drum Spins

Understanding the spinning mechanism helps diagnose failures:

Belt-Driven System

Most Whirlpool dryers use a belt-driven drum:

1. The motor turns a pulley
2. A long, thin belt wraps around the drum and pulley
3. The belt drives the drum rotation
4. An idler pulley maintains belt tension

Direct-Drive System

Some newer models use direct-drive motors where the motor shaft connects directly to the drum. These are less common in Whirlpool dryers.

Quick Checks First

Before assuming a major failure:

Is the Dryer Running at All?

• No lights, no sounds: Check the circuit breaker (electric dryers use two breakers—if one trips, the dryer may not run at all)
• Lights work but nothing else: Door switch may be faulty
• Motor hums but drum doesn't turn: Likely belt or motor problem

Check the Door Switch

Whirlpool dryers won't spin if the door switch doesn't detect a closed door:

1. Close the door firmly
2. Listen for a clicking sound when the door latches
3. Try pressing the door switch manually (usually visible when the door is open)
4. If the dryer starts with manual pressure, the switch needs adjustment or replacement

Check for Overloading

An extremely heavy, wet load can prevent spinning:

• Remove half the load and try again
• Overloading puts excessive strain on the belt and motor

Common Causes: Why Whirlpool Dryers Stop Spinning

Broken Drive Belt

The most common cause of a Whirlpool dryer not spinning.

The belt is a thin, flat band about 1/4 inch wide that wraps around the drum. Over time, it wears, cracks, and eventually breaks.

Symptoms of a broken belt:

• Motor runs (you hear humming) but drum doesn't turn
• Drum rotates freely by hand (no resistance)
• Visual confirmation: You can see the broken belt inside

Testing:

1. Unplug the dryer
2. Open the top or front panel (depends on model)
3. Try to turn the drum by hand—it should have some resistance
4. No resistance = belt is broken
5. Inspect the belt visually if accessible

Repair difficulty: Moderate DIY project Parts cost: $15-30 for the belt Time required: 30-60 minutes

Worn Drum Roller Support

Whirlpool dryers have rollers that support the drum as it spins. Worn rollers cause:

• Squeaking or thumping sounds
• Drum difficulty turning
• Eventually, the drum may stop turning entirely

Symptoms:

• Noise that developed gradually over weeks/months
• Drum is hard to turn by hand
• Visible flat spots or wear on rollers

Note: When replacing rollers, replace all of them—they wear at similar rates.

Drum Roller Axle

The axles the rollers spin on can wear out:

• Rollers wobble on worn axles
• Creates noise and eventual failure
• Usually replaced with the rollers

Worn Drum Bearing/Glides

At the front of the drum, bearing or glide supports help the drum rotate:

• Squealing sound from the front
• Drum difficult to turn
• May cause the drum to drop and bind

Idler Pulley Failure

The idler pulley maintains belt tension and redirects the belt:

Symptoms of idler pulley problems:

• Squeaking or squealing during operation
• Belt slips off
• Visible wear or damage to pulley

The pulley can:

• Seize up (bearing failure)
• Wear down (groove wears)
• Break entirely

Motor Failure

The drive motor turns the belt and fan. Motor failures cause:

No spinning:

• Motor doesn't run at all
• You may hear a hum (motor trying to start but failing)

Intermittent operation:

• Works sometimes, not others
• Gets worse over time

Testing the motor:

1. Unplug the dryer
2. Locate the motor (usually at the bottom)
3. Try turning the motor shaft by hand—it should turn freely
4. If it's seized or very stiff, the motor needs replacement

Motor symptoms that indicate specific problems:

• Hums but doesn't turn = seized motor or bad start switch
• Tries to start then stops = overheating or thermal overload issue
• No sound at all = could be motor or control issue

Drum Slide, Seal, or Bearing Issues

Components at the front and rear of the drum maintain smooth rotation:

Front drum glides/slides:

• Felt or plastic pieces the drum front rides on
• Squeaking or scraping sounds when worn
• Can cause the drum to bind

Rear drum bearing:

• Supports the drum at the rear
• Squeaking from the back of the dryer
• Drum difficult to turn

Step-by-Step Diagnosis

Step 1: Listen Carefully

Start the dryer and listen:

• Complete silence: Electrical issue, door switch, or control board
• Humming only: Motor running but drum not turning (belt or motor issue)
• Motor runs, fan blows, no drum rotation: Belt broken
• Grinding/squealing: Worn support components

Step 2: Inspect the Belt

1. Unplug the dryer
2. Access the drum (remove top panel or front panel depending on model)
3. Check if the belt is intact and properly positioned
4. Turn the drum by hand—should have resistance

Step 3: Check Drum Rotation

With the belt removed (or broken):

• Spin the drum by hand
• Should rotate freely without significant resistance
• Grinding, scraping, or inability to turn indicates roller/bearing issues

Step 4: Test the Motor

With the belt removed:

• Plug in and start the dryer (carefully)
• The motor should spin freely
• No motor movement indicates motor or electrical failure

Whirlpool-Specific Considerations

Model Numbers

Whirlpool dryer repairs vary by model. Common model series:

• WED/WGD series: Standard models
• Cabrio series: Higher-end with electronic controls
• Duet series: Front-load with specific belt routing

Part Compatibility

Whirlpool brands share many parts:

• Whirlpool
• Maytag
• KitchenAid
• Amana
• Roper

Parts often cross-reference between these brands.

Electronic Controls

Newer Whirlpool dryers with electronic controls may display error codes:

• PF: Power failure (usually just needs reset)
• E1/E2: Thermistor errors
• F1: Control board failure

Check your manual for model-specific codes.

DIY vs. Professional Repair

Good DIY Projects

Belt replacement:

• Relatively straightforward
• Parts are inexpensive
• Many YouTube tutorials available
• Typical time: 30-60 minutes

Drum rollers:

• More involved but doable
• Replace all rollers at once
• May need to remove drum

Better Left to Professionals

Motor replacement:

• More complex
• Motor is heavy and awkward
• Electrical connections involved

Control board issues:

• Diagnosis requires expertise
• Expensive parts to guess wrong

Drum bearing/rear seal:

• Requires significant disassembly
• Risk of improper reassembly

If uncertain:

• Misdiagnosis wastes money on wrong parts
• Improper reassembly can cause more damage
• Professional diagnosis may save money overall

Preventive Maintenance

Keep your Whirlpool dryer spinning reliably:

1. Don't overload — Excessive weight strains belts and rollers
2. Clean lint filter every load — Reduces strain on the motor
3. Clean exhaust vent annually — Proper airflow reduces component stress
4. Listen for changes — Address squeaking early, before complete failure
5. Level the dryer — Uneven operation causes uneven wear

Whirlpool Dryer Repair in Metro Atlanta

If your Whirlpool dryer won't spin and you'd prefer professional diagnosis and repair, Appliance Dean services all Whirlpool products throughout Metro Atlanta.

We'll diagnose the problem accurately, carry common parts like belts and rollers, and get your dryer back to work quickly.

Call (404) 671-9117 or schedule service online for prompt Whirlpool dryer repair.