When the dryer powers up but the drum stays still, the sound matters. A hum, a click followed by silence, and a drum that suddenly turns very freely by hand suggest different failure paths.
Rule out an overloaded drum
Turn the dryer off, remove part of the load, and try a small load. Wet comforters, rugs, and other heavy items can require much more starting torque than ordinary clothing.
Look for an obvious obstruction with power off
A garment, drawstring, or small object can wedge near the drum edge. Inspect only areas reachable from the door; do not probe behind panels.
Hand rotation is a clue, not a diagnosis
With the dryer unplugged, many drums have some smooth resistance. If yours suddenly feels much easier to turn than it used to, a broken drive belt is possible. If it is unusually hard to move, a roller, idler, or trapped object may be binding.
A humming motor should not be repeatedly stalled
If a light load does not change the symptom, stop cycling Start over and over. A stalled motor can overheat.
Most drive repairs require cabinet access
The belt, idler pulley, rollers, and motor are internal parts. Disconnect the dryer if you smell hot insulation, see sparks, or the breaker trips. Do not let a dryer continue heating while the drum is stationary because the load cannot tumble and distribute heat normally.
Before scheduling service, note whether you can hear the motor, how the unplugged drum feels when turned, and whether the failure happened suddenly. Those observations are more useful than simply reporting “it does not spin.”
Sources
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission — Clothes Dryer Safety — Dryer fire prevention, lint removal, venting, and safe operation.