15 Reasons Why My Kenmore Dryer Not Spinning [Fixed]

Your Kenmore dryer won’t spin because something is wrong with it. It’s not a “feature” or a conspiracy by the manufacturer to sell more repair services.

Something is broken in your Kenmore dryer, and you need to find out what and how you can fix it.

Have you ever left the laundry in the dryer and come back to find the clothes weren’t dry after all?

Well, that’s because your Kenmore dryer not spinning properly, or something was preventing it from doing its job.

If this has happened once, no worries. It can just be a matter of not having enough room for your load of laundry.

But if the dryer still doesn’t spin, then something is wrong, and here is how you can fix the Kenmore Dryer Not spinning issue.

Common Reason Why Kenmore Dryer Not Spinning

If your Kenmore dryer is not spinning, it’s time to troubleshoot. The cause may be obvious or something more complicated, but either way, with the right troubleshooting tips, you can fix it fast.

If a Kenmore dryer doesn’t spin, there are several things you can check to get it working again.

Dryers often have quirks that we don’t think about until they go wrong.

These tips will help you get your dryer back on track and working like new again in no time.

Kenmore Dryer Not Spinning: Basic Troubleshooting Methods

15 Reasons Why My Kenmore Dryer Not Spinning [Fixed]

First of all, there are some basic troubleshooting tips that you should follow, like checking the power source, power cord, any noise coming out from the dryer, or any errors on display.

After trying these methods, if none of them works, then use advanced troubleshooting methods, which are given below.

Check the Power

First, check your home’s main breaker switch. If it’s shut off, then your dryer won’t work.

Check the dryer’s circuit breaker and make sure it’s not tripped. You can also check your electricity meter and make sure your dryer is using energy when it’s on.

If it is not receiving power, call your electric company and have it checked. You can also check the plug and make sure it’s plugged in properly.

If the plug is loose, the connection isn’t good, and the electricity can’t flow. The motor will try to turn but won’t get enough power to start. Hence the Kenmore dryer not spinning issue will occur.

Child Lock is On

If the Kenmore Dryer Not spinning issue still occurs, then it is probably because the child locks it on. Turning the child lock off will fix the issue.

How to Turn On/Off Child Lock in Kenmore Dryer?

In most models of Kenmore dryers, the child lock can be turned on or off this way, but if it doesn’t work, then check the user manual for the button combination of your dryer model.

Kenmore Elite Dryer: Press and hold the Drain/Spin button for 3 seconds to turn on or off the child lock.
If the Child Lock icon pops up, this means the child lock is turned on. But if it fades out, the child lock gets off.

Listen to Noise

Listen for a loud humming sound coming from your Kenmore dryer. This means the motor isn’t getting enough power and is trying to start.

You may smell burning rubber at the same time. If so, the motor has overloaded and is about to burn out.

In such a case, shut off the Kenmore dryer and unplug it before it starts a fire.

If you hear a loud clunking or knocking sound, it could be the drum trying to spin but not being able to because there’s something caught in the drive mechanism, and this will lead to the Kenmore dryer not spinning.

How to Fix Sound Coming From Kenmore Dryer?

First of all, you have to find out where the sound is coming from.
Next, open the top panel. If it is a rumbling sound, then probably the drum rollers have worn out, and you need to change them completely with the help of an expert.
Next, there can be a worn-out drive belt which is causing the Kenmore Dryer not spinning issue. And the good news is you can change the drive belt without an expert’s help.

Inspect the drive belt by opening the rear panel of your dryer. You can check the user manual in case you need help opening the dryer. Make sure there are no signs of wear out. But if the belt is worn out, replace it with a new one.

Try Spinning Drum Manually

If the motor and drum are turning, but your dryer isn’t working, try spinning the drum manually.

After unplugging the appliance, open the door and look for the idler pulley.

It’s the wheel that has a belt attached to it that goes around the drum. Grab the wheel and manually spin the drum.

If it doesn’t rotate freely, there’s something caught in the drive mechanism of your Kenmore dryer.

Remove it and try spinning the drum again. If it still doesn’t work, there’s probably something wrong with the motor or the transmission, and if you can’t find out what? Then, call a technician for help.

Damaged Thermal Fuse

This is a safety device that’s inside the motor. It protects the dryer and people from a fire caused by motor overheating. If the motor gets too hot, the fuse automatically cuts power to the motor.

The fuse will reset itself after the motor cools off. The motor will then start again.

If the fuse keeps tripping and not resetting, it’s probably shorted out and needs to be replaced.

How to Replace Thermal Fuse in Kenmore Dryer (Electric)?

Replace the tripped thermal fuse on the Kenmore Dryer if it does not spin due to a blown fuse. You can buy a thermal fuse from a local store in your neighbourhood.
Next, shut down the dryer and remove the power cord.
Remove the back panel and take out all the screws.

The thermal fuse is easily visible on the back side, so pull out the wires and mounting screws from it and then pull the fuse off.
Install a new thermal fuse by placing it in place and connecting it with the wire.
Tight it with the mounting screw.

Close the panel and tighten all the screws back.

Kenmore Dryer Not Spinning: Advanced Troubleshooting Methods

Below are the common reasons why the Kenmore Dryer Not Spinning issue occurs even though there is no noise, the power supply is proper, the thermal fuse is intact, etc.

If you have never opened a dryer before or you don’t want to break an expensive component, it is recommended to call a specialist for assistance with the advanced troubleshooting procedures.

Drive Belt is Broken

The dryer drum is driven by a belt that wraps around a pulley under the drum. If the belt breaks, the drum won’t rotate.

Hence Kenmore dryer not spinning issue will occur. You can usually see the belt and pulley if you open your Kenmore dryer door.

If the belt is broken, you can remove the dryer and replace the belt.

How to fix a broken drive belt in Kenmore Dryer?

Unplug the Kenmore dryer from the power source
Next, remove the lint trap and all the mounting screws.
You need to pull off the top panel by using a putty knife and slightly rotating the panel top up and backwards.

Next, remove the door switch wire harness from the top cabinet.
Now, pull out the front panel by removing the screws and lifting the panel up.
Remove the broken belt if it is worn out by pushing the tensioner pulley toward the motor.

Install the new belt by following step 6 in reverse.
Turn the drum manually with your hand and check if the belt is not wobbling or twisting.
Place everything back in the dryer.

Worn Out Drum Rollers (Drum Roller Support or Drum Roller Axle)

The drum rollers are kept in place by a spring-loaded retainer. If the retainer is worn, the rollers can pop out of place and prevent the drum from spinning.

To fix this, you’ll have to remove the dryer and reinstall the rollers and retainers.

How to Fix Worn Out Drum Rollers Support (Axle) in Kenmore Dryer?

First of all, check the worn-out drum rollers by removing the belt (a complete method for removing the drive belt is given in the first part of advanced troubleshooting methods).

Try spinning the drum by hand, and if the drum doesn’t rotate, the roller support has worn out. There can be one or more rollers worn out, so you may need to replace them all or only one.
Once the belt has been taken off, you can move on to the following step, which requires removing the drum from the dryer.
Next, remove the drum support roller by lifting it out.

Get a new drum and install it by pushing on onto the shaft.
Now, follow the “Advanced Troubleshooting Methods” part 1 to place everything back into place.
That’s it.

Damaged Idler Pulley

If the idler pulley of the dryer doesn’t spin freely or gets stuck, the Kenmore dryer not spinning issue will arise. The idler pulley can be worn out over time, even on normal use.

How to Fix Damaged Idler Pulley in Kenmore Dryer?

Unplug the dryer.
Raise the top panel and then remove the front panel. (Detailed steps are given in the first part of advanced troubleshooting methods).

Now, remove the idler pulley by lifting the front of the drum and gently pushing the pulley to the right.
Pull the idler pulley out of the case.
Install a new idler pulley in the case/bracket.

Next, reassemble the top panel and front panel.
Check if the issue still exists.

Faulty Drive Motor

If the motor is bad, it won’t turn the drum and the blower wheel.

In most cases, when the motor is faulty, it makes a humming noise, so make sure to notice any humming sound coming from the dryer.

If there is no noise, check the blower wheel is not stuck and try rotating the drum by hand as well.

It if doesn’t turn freely and the blower wheel is not stuck, there is a high chance that the motor is defective and you need to get it replaced by the technician.

The door Switch is Not Latched

If the door switch is broken, the dryer won’t start or stop. The switch detects the door being shut and will start the dryer when it’s opened.

Even when slamming the door tightly, the Kenmore dryer won’t spin.

How to Replace a Door Switch in Kenmore Dryer?

Unplug the dryer from the power source.

Remove the two screws holding the lint screen in place.
Next, look for the clips that hold the top front of the cabinet in place and press down on them with a putty knife.
Lean the top of the dryer against the wall and pull the tabs that hold the door switch assembly wire harness together to pull it apart.

Remove the screws holding the door switch assembly in place by opening the dryer door.
Next, take out the door switch and replace it with a new one.
Put everything back in the dryer by following the steps in reverse.

Drum Bearing or Glides has Worn Out

If you hear a squealing sound from the dryer, there is likely to be an issue with the drum bearings (also known as drum glides), which is causing the Kenmore Dryer Not spinning issue.

Drum bearings are cheap and are easily available in a local store near you. Moreover, they can be easily replaced without any expert’s help if you have the proper tools.

How to replace drum bearings or glides on a Kenmore Dryer?

Shut down the machine.

Take out the top and front panels (follow the Advanced Troubleshooting method 1 given above).
Next, remove the drum by pushing the idler pulley to the right.
Remove the drum glide bearings by squeezing them together and then pushing them from the opening.

Take out the worn-out drum glide bearings and install the new ones.
Also, replace the felt seal.
Next, reinstall the drum and follow the steps in reverse.

Check Dryer Timer

The dryer timer keeps track of how long the dryer has been running. If the timer isn’t working, the dryer won’t shut on, which makes the Kenmore Dryer Not Spinning issue take place.

In this case, you need to call a technician, as the timer mechanism may need to be replaced.

Additionally, it’s possible that the circuit board and dryer timer’s connection is improper,

which prevents the circuit board from receiving a signal and causes the Kenmore dryer Not spinning issue.

Faulty Circuit Board

If the Kenmore dryer timer is working properly fine, then it is likely that there is an issue in the circuit board that passes off as Kenmore Dryer is not spinning issue.

The issue is most likely to be in the main circuit board, which is located behind the control panel.

How to Fix a Faulty Circuit Board in Kenmore Dryer?

Turn off the dryer and unplug it from the power source.
Take out the top panel and the control panel by removing all the required screws.
The circuit board can be seen behind the control panel.

If it is burned out, you can smell it or look for burn marks on the board.
Moreover, check if there is any moisture sitting on the circuit board. Any of these issues will require the circuit board to be completely replaced.
You can’t replace it yourself as you don’t have the circuit board, and it is also not easily available in the local stores, so you need to call the service centre for help.

Conclusion

When diagnosing your Kenmore dryer not spinning problem, first check the obvious. Make sure the cord is plugged in, the door is closed, and the timer is set.

If everything seems okay there, look at these other possible causes due to why Kenmore Dryer not spinning.

The advanced troubleshooting methods will definitely help you out if you have some knowledge of how a dryer works.

Moreover, you need to have all the required tools, like a proper screwdriver to open the screws.

On top of everything else, while replacing a damaged or faulty component in your Kenmore dryer,

make sure to install a new and original component that will prevent Kenmore Dryer Not Spinning from happening again.