How to Fix Samsung Dryer Not Spinning

Is your Samsung dryer not spinning but timer counting down? Before contacting a technician, try these simple troubleshooting steps that might solve the issue. We’ve put together a list of quick fixes to help you out.

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Why is My Samsung Dryer Not Spinning?

If your Samsung dryer isn’t spinning, the main reason could be a damaged drum or motor system, or it might be due to the Child Lock feature being activated.

Before you start fixing the drum system, try running a Child Lock and Timer test to make sure your dryer can begin a cycle correctly.

To check if Child Lock is on, look for a smiling icon on the dryer’s display panel. When you see this icon lit up, it means Child Lock is active, and all the buttons on the control panel, except for the Power button, won’t work.

If you’ve made sure the Child Lock is turned off, here are some steps to check if your dryer can start a cycle properly:

Set your dryer to Time Dry mode, then press and hold the Start button.
Wait for a minute and see if the timer on the display screen starts counting down. If it doesn’t count down after a minute or two, proceed to the next step.
Double-check that the dryer door is closed tightly and ensure that all the buttons on the control panel are working.
Repeat the timer test until the timer counts down, the drum starts spinning, or an error code appears on the display screen.
If the timer counts down but the drum doesn’t spin, it means there’s a problem with the drum system. In this case, you may need to contact a professional for assistance. Alternatively, we can guide you through some troubleshooting methods if you have some basic tools on hand.

Before doing any troubleshooting, remember to unplug your dryer to ensure safety while investigating the issue.

How to Fix Samsung Dryer Not Spinning

Child Lock Activated

Few home appliances like Samsung dryers come with a Child Lock feature to keep kids and curious pets safe. This function prevents young children or pets from accidentally changing the dryer’s settings during a cycle.

But if you’re not careful, you might leave this feature on or turn it on accidentally. When the Child Lock is active, it disables all the buttons on the dryer’s control panel, except for the Power button and control knob.

Sometimes, your dryer may seem like it’s turned on, but it won’t spin because the Child Lock is enabled. You can tell the Child Lock is on when you see a smiling lock or child symbol lit up on the dryer’s display panel.

To resolve the issue, follow these steps:

Look for the “Child Lock” buttons on your dryer’s control panel; there should be two of them. Press and hold both buttons simultaneously for approximately 3 seconds or until the “Child Lock” symbol on the dryer’s display panel disappears.
To make sure everything is working as it should, restart your dryer. Then, proceed with a timer test to confirm if your dryer can initiate a cycle properly.

To perform the timer test:

Set your dryer to “Time Dry” mode and press and hold the “Start” button.
After about a minute, check if the timer on the display screen begins counting down. If the timer counts down but the drum doesn’t start spinning, you may need to try another method of troubleshooting.

Error Code

During a timer test on your dryer, you may see a series of letters appearing on the display screen. These letters make up what’s known as an error code. Samsung dryers use various error codes, which are combinations of letters, to indicate a specific issue. These error codes are meant to assist owners in identifying and understanding the problem more easily.

In order to understand an error code, you can either take a look at our guide for Samsung dryer error codes, which provides detailed explanations for each code, or you can use the Samsung Smart Washer/Dryer App. This app can help you interpret the code, giving you insights into the specific problem your dryer is experiencing.

Low Power or Voltage

One common error that many people make when they have a new Samsung dryer is connecting it to an extension cord. A Samsung dryer needs 240V to function properly, so it must be plugged directly into a power outlet to receive enough electricity.

Additionally, it’s crucial to make sure that the power supply in your area is stable and consistent. If the power fluctuates and is not steady, your dryer won’t be able to do anything other than turning on.

To fix the issue, follow these steps:

Inspect the circuit breakers in your home to see if any of them have tripped. If you find any tripped breakers, reset them.
Ensure that the power cord of your dryer is for any connections that are loose or damaged. If the dryer is currently connected to an extension cord, make sure to plug it directly into a power outlet instead.

Door Switch Malfunction

A crucial safety feature in a Samsung dryer is making sure the door is securely closed before it can start any cycle. If the dryer senses that the door is open, it won’t begin any operation.

When you shut the dryer’s door, you’ll typically see the inside light turn off. A sign of a faulty door switch is when the light inside the drum remains on even after you’ve closed the door.

To fix this, first, unplug your dryer for safety. Then, take off the top panel to reach the door assembly. Check the door switch for any wires that are loose or damaged, and if you find any, make sure to repair or replace them as needed. If the door switch assembly is the problem, you may need to install a new one.

Damaged Drive Belt

The drive belt in your dryer is a thin belt that goes around the drum to make it spin. Over time, as your dryer gets older and you use it more, this belt can wear out.

Additionally, if you overload the dryer with too many clothes, it can cause the belt to fray more quickly.

To see if the drive belt is broken, try turning the dryer drum by hand. If it spins easily, it means the drive belt is likely broken or loose.

Replacing the drive belt is a bit complicated, and you’ll need to remove the dryer’s top and front panels. If you’re not comfortable with tools, it’s best to get a professional to help you.

It’s important to note that a broken or loose drive belt can’t be fixed; you’ll need to get a new one.

To prevent this from happening again, avoid overloading your dryer. It’s better to dry smaller loads and fill the drum only about three-quarters full to prevent excessive wear and tear on the drive belt.

Worn Out Drum Bearing

In addition to drum rollers, certain dryers make use of a drum bearing to help the drum spin during a drying cycle. As time passes, this part can also wear out, and the most common sign of a worn-out drum bearing is a high-pitched squealing or grinding noise.

Similar to drum rollers, the drum bearing is located at the back of the dryer’s drum. To reach it, you’ll need to remove the entire drum assembly.

To address this issue, begin by unplugging your dryer and taking off the panels, drum belt, and drum.

You can perform a spinning test on the drum by turning it manually. If you hear a metallic, noisy sound and notice that it’s hard to spin freely, this is a clear sign that your dryer’s drum bearing needs to be replaced.

Defected Drum Glide

In your dryer, there are parts called drum glides or drum slides that help support the front of the drum. These parts are often made of plastic, silicone, or rubber, and they can be found inside the drum.

When these drum glides get old and worn, they might start making a grinding noise, which is a sign that they need replacing. Even though these parts are meant to handle the heat inside the drum, they can wear out over time.

A clear sign that your drum glides are damaged is when you hear less thumping noise from the clothes inside the drum while they are drying.

To solve this, start by unplugging your dryer and taking off the panels and door. Look at the drum glides near the back of the drum’s door. If they’re damaged, it’s a good idea to replace them.

Faulty Motor

The motor is a very important part of your dryer. It’s what makes the drum spin and controls the heat by running the blower fan.

When the dryer is working well, you can hear a soft humming noise from the motor. But if the motor isn’t working right, it won’t make any noise even when you turn on the dryer.

However, if you still hear the motor humming, the next thing to check is the blower fan. It’s connected to the motor, and if something is blocking it, it can make the motor work too hard and eventually stop working.

Here’s how to fix the problem:

When starting your dryer, listen for a soft humming sound. If it’s missing, unplug the dryer, take off the panels, and consider replacing the motor. However, if you do hear the humming noise, investigate the blower fan for any blockages and clean it if necessary.

Lastly, make sure the blower fan spins smoothly in its place, and if it doesn’t, replace both the blower fan and the motor.

Broken Idler Pulley

Your dryer’s drive belt works alongside something called the idler pulley, aka tension roller. Its job is to keep the drive belt tight, which, in turn, helps support the drum as it spins.

When you’re dealing with the drive belt, you’ll also encounter the idler pulley. It’s essential to understand that while you can replace the drive belt without changing the idler pulley, you can’t do it the other way around.

If the idler pulley is damaged or gets stuck, it can cause harm to the drive belt. A noticeable sign of a faulty idler pulley is when your dryer starts making squeaky noises, in addition to the regular thumping sounds from the clothes moving around in the drum.

To resolve this issue, start by unplugging your dryer and then proceed to open the top and front panels. This will allow you to take out the drum and the belt, making the idler pulley easier to reach.

To check if the idler pulley is causing the problem, try spinning it in its location. If you notice that it doesn’t turn smoothly, it’s a clear indication that it needs to be replaced.

Damaged Drum Roller and Axle

Many dryers come equipped with a set of drum rollers designed to support and aid the drum in its spinning motion. These rollers play a crucial role in ensuring smooth drum movement.

However, when either of these components becomes damaged, it can create problems. This can put excess strain on the motor and prevent the drum from spinning freely.

Drum rollers tend to wear out over time, and often, the axles they are attached to wear out at a similar rate. A worn-down axle can cause the drum roller to become stuck, preventing it from spinning smoothly.

Just like with a broken idler pulley, when you have damaged drum rollers and axles, it typically results in your dryer making squeaky sounds as a clear sign of trouble.

To resolve this issue, unplug the dryer and remove the top and front panels. Drum rollers are usually at the back of the drum, so remove the drum belt and try spinning the drum. If it doesn’t spin smoothly, you likely need to replace the drum rollers.

When you have access to them, spin the rollers in place. If they wobble or don’t spin freely, replace them. Ideally, it’s best to replace both the drum roller and its axle at the same time.

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I hope our article broke down the steps in an easy-to-understand manner, helping you resolve the Samsung dryer not spinning problem with confidence.