If you’re like most people, you’ve probably come to rely on your washing machine and dryer far more than you realize. After all, the average American family does between eight and ten loads of laundry per week. Most of us sort the laundry, toss loads of clothes into the washing machine, transfer them to the dryer, take them out, and put them away without even thinking about it. Over time, we come to take for granted that this luxury will be available when we need it.

When Dryer Problems Arise

Of course, things don’t always go the way we expect them to. One day, you’re bound to open the dryer expecting a warm, dry load of clean laundry to be waiting for you only to find that the clothes are still cold and wet. As a result, you call your home warranty company to request the services of a dryer repair specialist.

Then, while you’re waiting to find out when help will arrive, you begin wondering why the dryer let you down. First, check to be sure the electrical plug hasn’t simply worked its way out of the outlet over time. If that’s not the source of the trouble, the following issues could be the culprits.

1) Seized Drum Rollers

Clothes dryers are equipped with drum rollers as well as many other components. As you might imagine, the rollers are what makes the drum roll around to toss and dry your clothes. If the rollers are worn or seized, the drum won’t spin like it’s supposed to. If that’s the problem, you may not be able to spin the drum by hand, or it may not spin as easily as it normally does.

2) Worn-Out Drum Bearing

In most dryers, the motor that makes the machine work is designed to stop working in some circumstances. Drum bearings support the drums from the rear, keeping them spinning freely and evenly. If the drum bearing wears out, it won’t provide the support that’s required to keep the drum level and prevent it from placing undue strain on the motor. In turn, the motor won’t follow through with the drying cycle.

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3) Deteriorated Drum Glides

Drum glides also help support the drum and allow it to spin properly. As is the case with the drum bearing, worn drum glides can place excess strain on the dryer’s motor. If so, it’ll shut down, and the drum won’t spin during the drying cycle.

4) Roller Axles Are Shot

Roller axles are also part of the drum-spinning process. They help provide stability for the drum as well. One telltale sign that the roller axles need to be replaced is wobbling in the drum. If they’re in working order, they’ll keep the drum in a stable position.

5) Damaged Belt

Finally, this brings us to the drive belt. The drive belt basically runs around the motor’s pulley and the drum. As the motor turns the pulley, it pulls the belt which, in turn, makes the drum spin. If the belt is broken, it won’t spin the drum as the motor turns.

Getting Your Dryer Back in Working Order

If you know a little about the inner mechanisms of clothes dryers or happen to be handy around the house, you can certainly open up the top of the dryer to assess the situation. Most people require assistance from a professional, though. A repair specialist will remedy the issue and get your dryer spinning like it should.