Kenmore dryers are a reliable and cost-effective appliance for families. Dryers allow clothes to be dried efficiently. Kenmore dryers have been known to last up to 20 years, but every now and then, they break down.
The most common problem that people experience with their Kenmore dryer is the machine not spinning or making any noise when it’s on. This article will go over some possible reasons why your Kenmore Dryer not spinning and what you can do about it!
Have you ever put a load of wet towels into the dryer only to discover that your dryer won’t spin? There are many possible reasons for this happening, so how can you determine what’s wrong with it and why it isn’t spinning anymore? Don’t worry. In this article, we’ll go over some common Kenmore dryer troubleshooting tips that will help you fix the problem.
How To Fix Kenmore Dryer Not Spinning Problem
The first thing you should check is whether or not your dryer box’s plugin is plugged into a working outlet. If it’s, then we need to go on checking if the circuit breakers are both turned on for that particular power supply.
If they aren’t, and this happens again, make sure to turn them back on! If the plug and circuit breakers are fine, then we need to check other parts of the Kenmore dryer.
Check the Door Switch
Kenmore dryers require a fully closed door, and slamming the door will not suffice. The best way to shut your Kenmore appliance is tightly by holding the metal handle with both hands as you close it tight so no air can get in or out of its interior. This ensures that every part inside stays at optimal temperature for drying clothes quickly!
If the Kenmore dryer is still not spinning when you plug it in, make sure that the door switch isn’t broken. The easiest way to check this is by using a multimeter or continuity tester on the two terminals of the connector that plugs into your control panel (or console). If these are not connected with power, then the door switch is broken and needs to be replaced.
Child Lock is ON
Kenmore dryers have a safety measure for children called Child Lock. When the machine is locked, it prevents young ones from tampering with dangerous parts and causing injury to themselves.
There are buttons or switches on the backside of the front-loading door panel that can be used to lock/unlock/turn off this feature if you need access behind your Kenmore Dryer when it is running.
If the Kenmore dryer is still not spinning when you plug it in, make sure that the child lock isn’t on. This can be done by pressing and holding both of these buttons: Start/Pause for 15 seconds until a ‘Clunk’ sound occurs.
If you don’t know how to get your Kenmore Dryer out of Child Lock mode, it’s always best to refer back to the user manual for specific instructions.
Broken Drive Belt
If the Kenmore Dryer is still not spinning and it’s not due to a child lock, then there may be an issue with the drive belt. The drive belt is a very long, slender belt that wraps all the way around the dryer drum and then around both two pulleys before attaching to the motor. Over time, it can break from normal use, so if you’re not sure whether or not yours has broken yet, there are ways to test for this.
The belt transfers power from the motor to spin your dryer drum. If this happens when you are running your machine, you will hear a loud squealing sound that may come and go. This is because one of the belts has broken loose and is now chafing against itself, causing friction which causes heat and sparks while also making noise.
First off, try turning your dryer by hand; If it’s spinning really easily without much effort, then the chances are high that your belts have been broken! Next, go ahead and inspect them – check out their state of wear as well as any signs they may be cracked or frayed, which would indicate an imminent breaking point on these items too soon again!
If that belt is broken, it is time for a replacement.
Faulty Drum Roller
The dryer relies on two drum support rollers, and some may have four more to keep the front of the washing machine safe. If these drums don’t spin freely, they will get overloaded with too much work for their motor and stop working altogether! But if a person pays attention when there are wear spots present, it is easy enough to replace them before this happens.
To determine if the support rollers are worn out, remove the belt from your dryer and spin it by hand. If one or more of these components don’t turn freely, we recommend replacing them to prevent wear-and-tear on other parts later down the road if you were not aware that they had been damaged!
Worn Out Drum Bearing
If you’re experiencing a loud, squealing noise while attempting to start up the dryer, there is an issue with one of the drum bearings. These tiny pieces are very inexpensive and can be replaced by anyone who has some basic skills for DIY repairs! A worn-out bearing will feel rough or gritty when spun between your fingers – like sandpaper. The part should be able to spin without resistance at 45 degrees in either direction; if it does not, the bearing needs replacement.
If the drum makes squealing or grinding sounds when turned and/or is hard to turn, check for a worn-out bearing. If you find one, replace it with an appropriate replacement part.
A Malfunctioning Drive Motor
A malfunctioning drive motor can cause the Kenmore dryer not to spin. This part is responsible for turning and spinning the drum – when it malfunctions, you’ll hear a constant whirring sound or ton of noise coming from your appliance. The only way to fix this problem would be by replacing the entire drive assembly, which requires an experienced technician who has a wide range of tools on hand as well as knowledge about how these machines work.
You will likely find that the motor is overheating when your Kenmore dryer runs, stops for a while and starts again. This might be due to an obstructed blower wheel or because of defective wiring, but before you replace it- try rotating the drum by hand! If this doesn’t fix things, remove the belt from around the driveshaft and check if there are any holes in it, so make sure it’s not broken. Then reattach with new belts.
Faulty Idler Pulley
A faulty idler pulley is a common problem caused by dryer sheets, which will often get caught in the belt and cause it to come off. Try removing any obstructions from around the drum before you do anything else or replacing your idler pulley with a new one.
When the pulley wheel no longer turns effectively, the drive belt begins to squeal and smoke as it rubs over the non-turning idler pulley wheel. The entire dryer idler assembly is replaceable, so in most cases, this can be replaced by anyone with solid do-it-yourself experience.
Manufacturers have made a lot of progress over the years in making dryers more dependable, but you may experience an issue with your appliance every now and then. When this happens, it’s best that you call for help so they can diagnose what went wrong as soon as possible to get it fixed right away!
How To Tell If Gas Dryer Solenoid Is Bad
If the solenoid is burnt out, the dryer won’t start. If the solenoid is defective, the dryer won’t start. To check the solenoid, remove the two wires from the terminals and test for continuity between the terminals using a multimeter.
If the multimeter does not register continuity, the solenoid is defective and needs to be replaced. If the multimeter does register continuity, the solenoid is working and the problem is elsewhere.
To locate the gas valve, you need to do several things: first, turn off all your appliances. Second, shut off your natural gas supply by turning your main gas supply valve — usually situated outdoors — to a closed position. Third, with a multimeter in hand (or an easy-to-use gas meter!), test the resistance of each coil. If you get a reading of 1000-2000 ohms for each coil, you must replace them; if the readings are either zero or infinite, you’ve found your problem.
Why Won’t My Gas Dryer Heat Up
A gas dryer uses high combustion temperatures to remove moisture from wet clothing. Sometimes lint, dirt and gas line deposits can clog the dryer’s gas jets, resulting in a gas dryer that doesn’t heat. You can perform a few troubleshooting steps to clean your gas dryer and get it working properly again.
There are a few reasons why your gas dryer may not be heating up. The most common reason is that the igniter may be defective and needs to be replaced. Other possible causes include a clogged lint filter, a tripped circuit breaker, or a blown fuse.
Hi there! I’m Sam Hendricks, and I’m a repair technician and expert. I created this website to help people like you save money and time by fixing your own appliances.
Over the years, I’ve seen people spend a lot of money on unnecessary repairs or replacements. That’s why I decided to share my expertise and create easy-to-follow guides for fixing appliances on your own.