What to Do if Your Maytag Dryer Won’t Spin

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DanMarc
January 22, 2021
Dryer Repair

It’s always frustrating when an appliance stops working properly, especially your dryer. One common problem is a dryer that turns on but will not spin. There are several possible reasons for a dryer not to tumble. It may simply be an incorrect cycle setting, or it may be a more serious issue that requires help from a dryer repair expert. If your Maytag dryer turns on but the drum will not spin, here’s what could be causing the problem.

Basic Troubleshooting

Before attempting to repair your dryer, try these basic troubleshooting solutions first.

Make Sure Door Is Latched Firmly

Even if your dryer door appears closed, it may not be latched properly. Push on the dryer door and make sure the latch is fully engaged. Some Maytag dryers have both an upper and lower latch, and the dryer will not run unless both latches are secure.

Select the Correct Cycle

Ensure that your dryer is set on an “Automatic Dry”, “Time Dry,” or “AccuDry” cycle. Some Maytag dryers have a “Wrinkle Shield” feature. The dryer will not start if the “Wrinkle Shield” cycle is selected. You should also make sure your dryer’s “Controls Locked” status light is off. If the “Controls Locked” light is on, turn it off by pressing and holding the “Cycle Signal” button for three seconds. Refer to your owner’s manual for more details.  

Check the Power Supply Cord

Verify that your dryer’s power cord is correctly installed and is properly connected to the wall outlet. You should also make sure you have enough voltage. An electric dryer requires a 240-volt power supply. If you don’t have the proper wall outlet for 240 volts, contact a licensed electrician.

Check Your Circuit Breaker

An electric Maytag dryer has two fuses or circuit breakers. One circuit operates the motor, which spins the drum. The other circuit controls the heating element. If one of these two fuses is blown, the dryer will not work correctly. It may heat without spinning, or it may spin but not produce heat. Check your fuse box and ensure that neither circuit has been tripped.

Note: This step does not apply to models that use gas. A gas dryer has only one fuse.  If these basic troubleshooting steps do not resolve the problem, one of the following components may be causing the issue. 

Drive Belt

A damaged or worn drive belt is one of the most common reasons for a dryer not to spin. The drive belt connects the drum to the motor. The drive belt can become brittle or wear out over time. You can easily test whether your drive belt is broken. Try to turn the drum manually. If it spins easily by hand, the drive belt is probably broken. After trying to spin the drum, inspect the drive belt.  

Inspecting the Drive Belt

Follow these steps to examine the dryer’s drive belt:

  • Unplug your dryer.
  • Remove your dryer’s front panel. The drive belt will be looped around the drum and the pulley.
  • Examine your drive belt. Look for cracks, fraying, or other signs of wear.

If your dryer’s drive belt is worn, damaged, or broken, it will need to be replaced.

Drum Roller and Axle

Most dryers contain two drum support rollers, which are found at the rear of the dryer. For the dryer to function properly, the support rollers must spin freely. The drum roller and the axles can become worn down over time, causing the motor to become overloaded. This will prevent the dryer from tumbling.

To inspect your dryer’s support rollers and axles, remove the belt first. Try to turn the drum by hand. It should rotate freely. If it doesn’t easily spin by hand, the support rollers will need replacing. If the roller wobbles, the axles should be replaced. It’s best to replace the rollers and the axles at the same time.

Drum Bearing

The rear of the dryer’s drum is supported by the drum bearing. Over time, the bearing may start to become worn out, causing the dryer not to spin. The bearing is another part you can test by removing the dryer belt and turning the drum manually. If turning the drum is difficult, or if you hear grinding or squealing sounds when turning the drum, you should replace the drum bearing.

Idler Pulley

The idler pulley assembly creates tension on the drum belt. The idler pulley may become worn over time and eventually fail. Squealing, squeaking, scraping, or thumping sounds coming from your dryer may indicate a problem with the idler pulley assembly.

How to Check the Idler Pulley

Follow these steps to examine the idler pulley.

  • Unplug your dryer and empty it.
  • To access the idler pulley, remove either the lower access panel or the front panel depending on your model.
  • Push the pulley toward the dryer’s motor and remove the dryer belt.
  • Turn the idler pulley by hand. If it’s working correctly, there should be little to no resistance after you remove the drive belt.
  • Examine the idler pulley for wear or damage.
  • The pulley will need replacing if it’s damaged or worn, or if you cannot turn it manually.

Drive Motor

The drive motor turns the dryer drum. If your drive motor is faulty, the dryer will not tumble. You may have a bad motor if you hear a humming sound coming from your dryer. Here’s how to test the drive motor.

Testing the Drive Motor

You will need a multimeter to perform this test.

  • Unplug your dryer.
  • Remove the dryer’s front panel. Depending on your model, you may also need to remove the blower wheel and the drum belt.
  • Take the motor out of the dryer.
  • Set your multimeter to Rx1. Touch the motor’s terminals with the probes. You should receive a reading at or near zero.
  • Test the ground connection with the multimeter. With one of the probes, touch the motor’s metal housing. Place the other on a terminal. You shouldn’t receive a reading from this test.

If either of these tests is unsuccessful, the motor should be replaced.  

Trust Dan Marc Appliance Service for Your Dryer Repair

You can count on the experts at Dan Marc Appliance Service for all of your appliance repair needs. We have provided our customers with dependable appliance service since 1984. Contact us to schedule your dryer repair today.

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