Dryer drum not turning
When the dryer starts, the motor hums or the heat comes on, but the drum stays still, the usual suspect is the drive belt.
Soon A stalled drum with the heater still on can overheat the load, so stop the cycle rather than letting it run; there is no water or food risk, but do not keep trying to run it.
What this symptom usually means
When the dryer starts, the motor hums or the heat comes on, but the drum stays still, the usual suspect is the drive belt. A belt that has snapped leaves the drum turning freely by hand with no resistance. A belt that is stretched or riding off the idler pulley may slip under a heavy wet load and grip on a light one. GE's guidance is exactly that test: if the drum spins freely by hand, the belt has probably broken or come loose.
There are other possibilities. If nothing hums at all, the problem may be the door switch, the start switch, the thermal fuse or the motor itself rather than the belt. An overloaded drum on a stacked or compact model can also stall a motor that is otherwise sound, and a drum roller or bearing that has seized will hold the drum against the belt's pull, often with a squeal first. The technician confirms which by removing the front or top panel; the checks below stay outside the cabinet.
Checks you can do yourself
- Reduce the loadTake out half the load, especially heavy wet towels or jeans, close the door and restart. If the drum turns with a lighter load, the belt or idler is likely worn and the machine still needs a look.
- Door and startMake sure the door clicks fully shut and hold the start button for a couple of seconds. On many models a paused cycle needs Start pressed again after the door has been opened.
- Turn the drum by handWith the dryer off, turn the drum. If it spins with almost no resistance and keeps coasting, the belt is probably broken. If it is stiff or grinds, a roller or bearing may have seized. Either way, stop here.
- ListenStart a cycle and listen. A hum with no rotation is different from silence. Note which it is; it helps the technician.
- PowerCheck the breaker and, on electric models, that both halves of the double breaker are on. Plug a lamp into a gas dryer's outlet to confirm it is live.
- ResetUnplug for one minute and try again. This clears a stalled control on some electronic models.
Nothing above involves gas, wiring, refrigerant or removing panels.
What our technician checks
These need panels off, live electrical tests or a licensed trade, so they are left to the technician:
- Removing the front panel or drum to reach the belt, idler and rollers
- Testing the motor, start switch or thermal fuse
- Anything on the gas valve or burner of a gas dryer
Electric models $89 + tax; gas models, and Thermador, Miele, Viking, Wolf and Fisher & Paykel models, $129 + tax.
Waived when you proceed with the repair. You get the cause, the price and our repair-or-replace verdict in writing before any work.
Repairs a technician may recommend
After inspection, not from the symptom alone.
Drive belt replacement
When the drum spins freely by hand. A routine repair; the technician also checks the idler and rollers while the belt is off.
Idler pulley or tensioner replacement
When the belt is intact but slipping or squealing under load.
Drum roller, glide or bearing replacement
When the drum is stiff to turn or grinds. Usually replaced as a set.
Motor replacement
When the motor hums but does not start, or trips its overload. The finding weighs this against the dryer's age.
Door switch, start switch or thermal fuse replacement
When the dryer is completely silent and the outlet is live.
Brands we see with this problem
Codes, parts and access differ by brand; the brand pages cover where the model label is and what to expect.
Brand-specific repair and error-code guides
Cost, and whether to fix it
What the repair costs depends on the part, the labour and whether a second visit is needed for an ordered part; the written finding gives the total before any work. Our guides on what drives repair costs, dryer repair costs and repair versus replacement explain how to weigh it.
Who to call
RepairWell diagnoses and repairs this in homes and businesses across Ottawa and Gatineau; the diagnostic ($89 + tax for an electric model at home, $129 + tax for a gas model or a business) is waived when you proceed with the repair. If the dryer is still under the manufacturer's warranty, contact the manufacturer first: warranty repairs usually have to go through their authorized network.
When to book
Book once you have tried a lighter load and confirmed the door is latched and the outlet is live. Tell us what you heard (hum, click, nothing) and whether the drum turns freely by hand; that usually tells us whether to bring a belt kit or plan for a motor. The diagnostic is $89 + tax and is waived when you proceed with the repair. If the dryer is stacked or in a closet, let us know so we can allow for pulling it out. See dryer repair for what the visit includes.
We handle this across Ottawa and Gatineau
Related problems
Dryer drum not turning: questions
The dryer heats and hums but the drum doesn't move. Is that the belt?
Often, but not always. A broken belt is the most common finding when the motor runs and the drum is free by hand. A seized roller or a motor that cannot get up to speed can give the same symptom, which is why we confirm before quoting.
Can I keep using it if I turn the drum by hand to start it?
No. If the drum needs a push, the belt or motor is failing, and running it that way can overheat the motor or the load.
Is a belt repair worth it on an older dryer?
Usually. A belt is a low-cost part and the drum, motor and heater on many older dryers have years left. The written finding gives you the number to decide.
Sources
Sources checked 2026-09-24.
Book the diagnostic
Tell us this symptom and your postal code; it helps us bring the right parts.
Pick a preferred day and arrival window online; we confirm by email once a technician is assigned.
- $89 + tax diagnostic$129 + tax for gas or commercial appliances and for Thermador, Miele, Viking, Wolf or Fisher & Paykel; waived when you proceed with the repair
- Written finding on every visitCause, price and our repair-or-replace verdict
- 90-day warrantyOn parts replaced; labour depends on the work done