FixLivity is reader-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links on our site. Learn more.
One day, while drying my clothes I came across the problem of my Ge dryer not spinning. I panicked at first but as an Appliance Repair Technician, I chose to take matters into my own hands. I quickly grabbed my toolbox and removed the panels. I found out that because of years of usage my drive motor broke down, and lucky for me I had an extra drive motor in my garage. I quickly replaced it and tested the dryer out and it worked like a charm and sorted the issue.
So, what was the particular reason behind my ge dryer not spinning? It was because the drive motor failed. After years of usage, it got damaged for which it did not create the tension with the drive belt to be able to spin the dryer, so because of this inconvenience, it caused my dryer to completely shut down. This problem can be detected if the dryer makes a humming noise while the motor is on.
So, how did I resolve the dryer not spinning? Changing the motor resolved my problems, but in your case, the situation might be different as your dryer not spinning might be caused by a worn-out dryer belt or damaged drum bearing.
list of problems for GE dryers for not spinning is given below:
- Damaged dryer belt
- Broken door switch
- Damaged drum rollers
- Defective drum bearings
- Broken drive motor
- Dryer chords damage
Step by step solutions for Ge dryer not spinning are given in the following:
1. Damaged dryer belt
A Ge dryer belt also called a drive belt, is used in the assembly of dryers. The belt is wrapped around the drum, the idler pulley, and the motor pulley. The armature on the motor spins this belt, which rotates the drum and tumbles your clothes during the dry cycle. If the motor is running, but the Ge dryer drum is not spinning, your belt is broken, stretched, or damaged, and can no longer grip the drum. This belt measures 88 3/4 inches long and 1/4 inch wide.
So, why does your Ge dryer not spin? Worn out Ge dryer belt is one of the biggest reasons which causes your Ge dryers not to spin and ultimately damages the whole machine. This belt helps to wind around the dryer drum and it causes suspense between those two which helps the drum spin. But over time the belt gets torn or ripped which stops the ge profile dryer from spinning.
Solutions
So, how does someone fix the worn-out dryer belt problem you may ask? It can be a tricky process but here is the step by step processes to replace the ge dryer belt and they are given below:-
- Unplug the dryer from the switch.
- Remove the top panel.
- Remove the screws from the dryer belt using a 1/4-inch nut driver.
- Remove and replace the dryer belt.
- Reinstall the screws.
- Reinstall the top pan.
- Test out the dryer and make sure it works perfectly fine without making any weird noises.
2. Broken Door switch
The door switch is a basic on/off switch that prevents the dryer from running when the door is open. The door switches on dryers are about an inch long. It will be situated in the front panel, around the door aperture. You might be able to snap the switch out of place or remove it with just one screw removed.
When the dryer door closes, an electronically operated signal is sent to the dryer’s control panel, which starts the drying cycle. However, with time and frequent use, the switch may wear out and no longer give the essential signal, causing the dryer to not spin.
So, how can someone spot a broken door switch? A multimeter must be used to check for continuity to see if the door switch is broken. If the results of multimeter testing mismatch, the door switch should be replaced.
Solutions
The solutions to fix this problem can be difficult as it can be hard for some people to replace switches but here are the following steps to replace a broken door switch:-
- Unplug the dryer.
- Remove the lint screen.
- Disconnect the wire harness.
- Replace the switch.
- Reconnect the wire harness.
- Reinstall the lint screen.
- Plugin the device and Test out the dryer and make sure it works perfectly fine without making any weird noises.
3. Damaged drum roller
One of the most common causes of dryers not spinning and eventually shutting down is damaged drum rollers. Its purpose is to provide support to the Ge clothes dryer not spinning efficiently. The use of dryers over time wears out the drum rollers, binding them together and causing dryers to emit noise.
Drum rollers are usually located on the rear side of the dryer and if they are defective they can cause thumping noises while spinning which can damage the dryer. So, how can you tell if your drum rollers are worn out? It can be difficult to spot damaged rollers. To spin the dryer drum, first remove the belt from the dryer and turn it with your hand. If the drum does not revolve freely, you may need to grease or replace the rollers.
Solutions
The way to fix this problem is not that difficult. By following the steps given below anyone can change their drum roller with ease.
- Unplug the dryer.
- Raise the top panel.
- Remove the front panel.
- Remove the drum.
- Remove the drum support roller.
- Replace the drum with a new one.
- Reinstall the panels.
- Start the dryer and make sure it works perfectly fine without making any weird noises.
4. Defective drum bearing
While the motor, belt, and pulley system that turns your dryer drum may be recognizable to you, most people are unfamiliar with the smaller working elements that allow it to turn. The drum bearings are one of the most critical components. When the belt and motor are activated, the bearings will allow the pulley to turn.
Drum bearings support the rear of the drum to avoid overtaxing the motor. Just like the drum roller, it is located at the rear of the dryer. Through daily usage, the drum bearings can get damaged, and damage to the drum bearing can lead to the dryer not spinning. How can you know if your bearings are worn out? One of the most common signs is a screaming sound coming from the dryer. As a result of the lack of lubrication, they heat up and change shape.
Solutions
The following steps to replace the drum bearing of a dryer are given below:-
- Disconnect the power.
- Remove the main top.
- Remove the front panel.
- Replace the drum bearing.
- Reinstall the front panel.
- Reinstall the main top.
- Test the dryer and make sure it works perfectly fine without making any weird noises.
5. Broken Drive motor
The driving motor rotates the dryer drum by turning the belt. The blower fan wheel is also rotated to circulate air through the dryer drum. The drum or blower wheel may struggle to rotate if the driving motor fails, or the drum may not turn at all. The drive motor is responsible for powering the whole dryer and it expels the dryer heated air. It is one of the main components of a ge dryer and if it gets damaged by rough usage the ge dryer won’t spin.
So, how can someone spot a broken drive motor? If the motor still makes a humming noise when you start the dryer, look for any obvious blockages in the blower wheel. However, if the dryer produces no noise when turned on and the drum spins freely, the drive motor could be to blame. A failed drive motor cannot be repaired and must be replaced.
Solutions
The following ways to replace a drive motor in the dryer are given below:-
- Unplug the dryer and turn it over.
- Remove the main top and set it aside.
- Remove the airshafts.
- Remove the screws from the motor.
- Replace the motor.
- Reinstall the screws.
- Reinstall the airshafts.
- Reinstall the main top.
- Test out the dryer and make sure it works perfectly fine without making any weird noises.
6. Dryer cords damage
Two hot wires, a neutral wire, and a ground wire make up the 4-prong dryer cord. This generates a distinct return path for any current that isn’t being used. Because the regulation demands that an outlet be close to the connected device, dryer cords are normally no more than six feet long.
If you are a Ge dryer user and you face complications chances are your Ge Adora dryer not spinning is because of plug damage. This inconvenience might occur due to heavy usage or it got damaged while being delivered. The dryer cord is usually located at the back of the dryer and is used to power the dryer and without it, your Ge dryer won’t even function.
So, how can you tell whether a dryer cord is loose or broken? You may have a faulty power cord if your dryer takes a long time to start or turns off unexpectedly while spinning or if the lights within your dryer dim frequently. In this instance, the best course of action is to replace it.
Solutions
Compared to other problems replacing a dryer cord is much easier and the following steps on how to do so are given below:-
- Unplug the dryer.
- Unscrew the back panel and set it aside.
- Unscrew the dryer cords.
- Replace the dryer cords.
- Screw back the panels.
- Start and check the dryer and make sure it is not making any weird noises.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is my GE dryer not spinning?
The reason for the Ge dryer not spinning is because of a worn-out or damaged belt. This thin rubber belt can get worn because of regular usage.
2. What would cause a dryer not to spin?
A broken drive belt is a reason which causes a dryer not to spin as it does not provide enough resistance for the drum to spin.
3. How do you reset a Ge dryer?
Turning it on and off again is a way to reset the dryer but usually, dryers have reset buttons on them. Press that button to reset the whole dryer.
4. How do you check the belt on a Ge dryer?
The first thing to do while checking the belt on a Ge dryer is to disconnect the dryer from the power supply, then remove the screws from the top panel and examine the belt. If everything seems alright reinstall the screws to the top panels and your dryer is ready to go.
5. What do you do when your dryer won’t spin?
If your dryer won’t spin check the following things: the drum belt, drum roller, drum bearing, drive motor, and dryer cords.
6. Which way does a Ge dryer spin?
The normal rotation of a dryer is always counterclockwise. By any chance, if your dryer is moving in a different direction it usually indicates that something is wrong with your dryer belt or the door switch.
Conclusion
I was worried when my Ge dryer was not spinning, at the same time I was also concerned about my dryer. It was a significant purchase, and I didn’t want to make another one anytime soon. However, after bursting open my dryer, I was able to laugh off the matter. The failure of the drive motor was the source of the problem. My dryer is as good as new thanks to my knowledge as an appliance repair specialist and a few dollars.
Not only me but almost every dryer owner has faced complications regarding their Ge dryer not spinning. There’s no need to be concerned if you run into a problem like this. By following the troubleshooting options I’ve provided above, you should be able to solve this problem quickly.
As an individual who is heavily dependent on dryers as well as a dryer expert, I must say my Ge dryer is one of my finest purchases ever. Don’t let little issues change your mind about how good this piece of device is.
