When the drum won't turn but the motor still hums, the drive belt has snapped. It's the most common dryer repair after vent cleaning, the part is $15–$25, and it's a one-hour job with hand tools.
Most dryer symptoms get diagnosed and fixed on the first visit. Flat $129 diagnostic — fully waived when you approve the repair.
Step-by-step
Unplug the dryer at the wall. For gas models, also close the gas shutoff valve behind the unit.
Open the door, hold the door-switch plunger in with a finger, and press start. If you hear nothing at all, the door switch is bad — easy $20 fix. If you hear the motor hum, continue to step 3.
Most dryers open via a top panel (pop the lint screen housing first, then 2 screws under it, then lift the top forward like a car hood) or a front panel (2 screws in the toe-kick, then tilt the front panel out). Check your model's service guide.
The drive belt is a thin (~1/4" wide) loop that wraps around the drum, the idler pulley, and the motor pulley. If you see it lying broken in the bottom of the cabinet, that's your answer.
The idler is a small wheel on a spring-loaded arm that keeps tension on the belt. Spin it with a finger — should turn freely with no roughness. Grinding or seized = replace ($15–$25 part).
Wrap the new belt around the drum (grooves facing the drum). Then route it through the idler and around the motor pulley — exact path is in your service guide. Spin the drum by hand to confirm it turns smoothly.
Close the cabinet, plug in (open gas), run a 2-minute air-fluff cycle. Drum should turn smoothly with no thumping, no squealing. If you hear thumping, the drum rollers are also worn — order them and do that next.
Stop and call
Safety + model triggers
Gas dryer — when in there, the gas valve and igniter are in your way.
One slip damages the gas valve coil or the supply line; not worth the risk for an hour of labor.
Motor hums and trips the breaker on every start attempt.
Failed motor capacitor or shorted winding — keep cycling and you'll cook the windings.
Burning smell, scorched belt smell, or smoke when you tried to start it.
Seized drum bearing scorching the belt — fire risk, stop now.
Stacked unit, closet install, or compact 24" Bosch / Miele / LG WashTower.
Belt routing on stacked units requires unstacking — not safely DIY.
Other reasons to call
FAQs
Snapped drive belt. The motor still spins, but with no belt connecting it to the drum, the drum just sits there. Open the cabinet and you'll find the broken belt at the bottom.
10–15 years on average. Heavy use (multiple loads/day) and overloaded loads shorten that significantly. Belts are wear items, not failures — expect to replace one in the dryer's lifetime.
Belt only: $189–$260 all-in. Belt + idler: $220–$320. Belt + idler + drum rollers: $280–$400. Our flat $129 diagnostic is waived when you approve the repair.
No. The motor will overheat trying to spin a stuck drum and may damage windings or trip the thermal overload. Air-dry your clothes or hit a laundromat for a day.
Yes if you're handy — it's an hour of work and a $20 part. Tutorials for your specific model are on YouTube. If you've never opened an appliance, the labor cost on a tech call is reasonable for the peace of mind.
Related service
Gas, electric, or heat-pump — most dryer problems trace back to heating elements, igniters, drum rollers, belts, or vent restriction. We diagnose all five on the first visit and carry the parts on every truck.
Local service area
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