How the drum is driven
In most household dryers a long flat belt wraps around the outside of the drum and around a small pulley on the motor shaft. A spring-loaded idler pulley presses on the belt to keep it tight. The drum rests on drum rollers at the back, and on plastic glides or rollers at the front. When any of those parts wears, the drum turns harder, the belt works harder, and eventually one of them gives out.
What you hear before it stopped, and a dryer making noise now
| Sound or sign | Likely part |
|---|---|
| Loud thump, then the motor runs smooth and quiet | broken belt |
| High squeal that rises with speed | worn idler pulley |
| Rhythmic thump or rumble every turn | flat-spotted drum roller |
| Scraping at the front of the drum | worn front glides or seal |
| Hum, no movement, drum hard to turn by hand | seized roller, pulley or motor |
Checks you can do
- Unplug, then turn the drum by hand. When a dryer won't tumble, this one test sorts most of the causes. Loose and easy points to the belt. Stiff or grinding points to a roller or pulley. Won't move points to something jammed.
- Look for anything caught at the front edge of the drum. Underwire, a sock or a coin can wedge between the drum and the front seal.
- Check the load size. An overloaded drum strains the belt; the capacity label in the manual gives the limit.
Past that point the front or top panel has to come off, the drum is lifted out and the belt is routed around the idler. It is a common job, but on many models it means handling a drum that is awkward to lift, and sharp sheet-metal edges. That is where most owners call.
What the repair costs
| Part replaced | Parts and labor |
|---|---|
| Drum roller (per repair) | $100–$150 |
| Bearing | $100–$250 |
| Belt | $150–$250 |
| Motor | $250–$450 |
| Drum | $300–$450 |
Fixr national figures, updated January 31, 2025. Its range for a dryer that "will not tumble" is $100 to $450.
A belt-and-rollers job on a dryer that has run ten years or more is still usually worth doing, because the heat system and the motor tend to be fine. A seized motor on an old dryer is where many owners compare the bill with a replacement; Fixr puts new dryers at $600 to $1,500.
Stacked and compact dryers
On a stacked washer and dryer, or a compact 24-inch unit, the drum is reached differently and the job takes longer. Say so when you call, along with the model number from the tag inside the door opening, so the company allows enough time.
After the repair
Ask the technician to check the lint path while the drum is out. A dryer that has worn out its rollers has usually run a lot of loads, and lint collects inside the cabinet around the heater and blower housing, where it cannot be seen from the front.
Questions people ask next
How do I know the belt snapped?
Unplug the dryer and turn the drum by hand. With a good belt the drum feels heavy and turns the motor with it; with a broken belt it spins loosely and easily. Many owners also heard a thump or a sudden quiet run just before the drum stopped.
Should the rollers be replaced with the belt?
Often, yes. Rollers and the idler pulley wear together, and a worn roller is a common reason a belt snaps. Since the drum has to come out to fit a belt, replacing worn rollers at the same time saves a second visit later.
Is it safe to run the dryer while the drum is not turning?
No. With the drum still, the heat has nowhere to go and the load can scorch against the heater side of the drum. Unplug it until it is repaired.
Sources
- How much does it cost to repair a dryer?, Fixr, updated January 31, 2025.
Reviewed October 1, 2026. Spotted an error? Write to admin@compareappliancerepair.com.