Too much lint build-up in a dryer can be a fire risk. The heating element can make the lint catch fire. It's best to clean out the dryer and venting once a year. Doing this helps prevent fires from lint build-up.
The main control board in a dryer controls the power going to all the parts. If the board is bad, it could stop sending power to the motor. This would make the drum not turn. Look at the board for any damaged or shorted parts. You can also use a multimeter to check if power is getting to the motor. First check the wiring diagram for the dryer. Replacing the control board can fix the problem if it's not giving power to the motor.
Some dryers use a belt to run the blower fan. If the blower gets jammed or the belt is worn out, loose, or slipping, it can make a burning smell. Check that the blower spins easily. If needed, replace the blower belt. This should fix any burning odor coming from a stuck or slipping blower belt.
The dryer has a long, thin belt that goes around the drum and two pulleys. One pulley is for tension and the other is on the motor. With regular use, this belt can break over time. If the belt breaks, the drum won't turn. To check if the belt is broken, reach into the dryer and try to turn the drum by hand. If the drum spins very easily, the belt is probably broken. Look at the belt to confirm it is broken. If the belt is broken, you need to replace it. Replacing the belt will allow the drum to turn again.
A dryer's control board controls the voltage being sent to all of the appliance's electrical components. If the board is defective, it may interrupt voltage to the drive motor resulting in the drum not turning. You can inspect the board for signs of damage or a shorted component. You can also use a multimeter to test for voltage reaching the drive motor after reviewing the dryer's wiring diagram.
Most dryers have two rollers in the back of the drum. Some also have two rollers in the front. The rollers need to spin easily to work right. If the rollers are worn out, the drum can't turn properly. To check the rollers, take off the belt and try turning the drum by hand. If the drum doesn't spin freely, the rollers may be worn out. Look at the rollers to see if any are worn. If one or more are worn, replace all the rollers at the same time to prevent future issues. You can reuse the roller shaft if it's in good shape. Make sure to clean the shaft before putting on the new rollers.
Lint can build up inside the dryer over time. It covers the parts inside. Lint on the heating element can catch fire and cause a dangerous situation. Too much lint can also make parts like the motor, rollers and pulley fail. It's important to check and clean the inside of the dryer every 1 to 3 years, depending on use. Doing this lint cleaning helps prevent fires and part failures.
Look at the idler pulley for the dryer drum belt. Make sure it can spin easily on the shaft. If the idler pulley is stuck, worn out, or damaged, you should replace it. When you replace the idler pulley, also put in a new belt for the drum drive. Replacing both together will help make sure your dryer runs properly.
The drive motor turns the drum and blower wheel to push out the air. First, see if the motor makes a humming noise. If it still hums, take off the belt from the motor. Then check that nothing is blocking the blower wheel. Next, with the belt off, try to turn the drum by hand. If the drum doesn't spin easily, find out what's stopping it from turning. If the drum spins freely and nothing blocks the blower, the drive motor may be bad. If you think the motor is the problem, replace it. That should fix your dryer.
Most dryers have two rollers in the back of the drum. Some also have two rollers in the front. The rollers need to spin easily to work right. If the rollers or axles are worn out, the drum can't turn properly. To check them, take off the belt and try turning the drum by hand. If the drum doesn't spin freely, the rollers or axles may be worn out. Look at the rollers and axles to see if any are worn. If one or more are worn, replace all the rollers at the same time to prevent future issues. You can reuse the axles if they're in good shape. Make sure to clean the axles before putting on the new rollers.
The terminal block connects the power cord to the dryer's wires. If the terminal block connections are loose, they can get hot and smell burnt. Check the terminal block for burnt connectors. If the terminal block is very burnt, you'll need to replace it. Tight connections on the terminal block will prevent burning smells.
If your dryer drum is not turning, it's probably not because of a bad timer. That rarely happens. First check the parts that usually break. If everything else is working right, then test the timer. Use a multimeter and wiring diagram to check the timer. If the timer is bad, replace it. But again, the timer is not likely to be the problem if the drum won't turn. Look at the other parts first before replacing the timer.
If the vent line gets clogged or partly clogged, it blocks airflow through the dryer. This makes drying take way longer and the inside gets hotter. It can also cause a burning smell. To keep your dryer working right, you should clean the vent system at least once a year. Cleaning the vents prevents issues like bad smells from the dryer not venting air properly.
The door switch is like a safety guard that's supposed to make sure the dryer only works when the door is fully closed. But as it gets older, it can stop doing its job properly. When it acts up, the dryer may keep running even if the door isn't closed tightly, allowing hot air to escape. This escaping hot air can heat up things it shouldn't, like wires, lint, or even the door switch itself, causing that burning smell. What's more, when things get too hot, there's a risk of lint in your dryer catching fire, which is pretty dangerous. So, if you catch a burning smell from your dryer, it's best to have it checked out to stay safe and keep your clothes safe too.