Check that the door is closed all the way. The dryer won't start if the door is open. Remove anything blocking the door from closing fully. Make sure clothes are not in the way.
The thermal fuse is a safety device designed to protect the dryer from overheating. The fuse is located on the blower housing or at the dryer’s heat source such as the heating element on electric dryers or at the burner on gas models. The fuse should be closed for continuity meaning it has a continuous electrical path through it when good. If overheated the fuse will have no continuity meaning the electrical path is broken and the fuse has blown. A multimeter can be used to test it for continuity. Be aware that a blown thermal fuse is an indication of a restricted exhaust vent from the dryer to the outside. Always check the dryer venting when replacing a blown thermal fuse.
The heating element warms the air before it goes into the dryer drum. Over time, the element can burn out so the dryer won't heat up. Use a multimeter to check if the element has continuity. No continuity means the element is burned out. If there's no continuity, replace the heating element. This should fix it so the element heats the air again and the dryer can heat properly.
If your dryer drum is not starting, 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.
To check if the start switch is broken, try to start the dryer. If the dryer hums but doesn't start, the switch is okay. If it doesn't make any noise, the switch may be bad. Use a multimeter to test if electricity flows through the switch. If electricity can't pass through, replace the switch. Follow safety tips when testing. Make sure the power is off before touching wires. A broken start switch stops the dryer from starting. Testing it with a multimeter helps detect problems.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
When the dryer belt breaks, the motor runs but the drum won't turn. Some dryers have a switch that shuts off power if the belt breaks. If that switch is bad, power could go off even with the belt okay. First, start the dryer and listen for humming. If it hums, the belt switch is likely fine. Search your model number to see if you have that switch. If so, use a multimeter to test it. Check if electricity flows through. If not, replace the switch. Follow safety tips when testing. Make sure power is off before touching wires. The switch turns the dryer off when the belt breaks. Testing it finds problems.
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.
Plug in the dryer cord. Or check that the house power is on at the outlet and circuit breaker. Make sure the dryer is getting electricity.
If the dryer won't start, clothes may have gotten past the lint screen. They can get stuck in the blower wheel. Then the motor will hum but not start. Or it makes loud noises when trying to start. Remove the blower cover to check for stuck clothes. If the blower wheel is damaged, replace it. Follow safety tips when taking the dryer apart. Unplug it first. Wear gloves to protect your hands. Stuck clothes can jam the blower wheel. This stops the dryer from starting up.