Amana Dryer: not spinning, heater stays on

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Amana dryer powers on and heats, but the drum won’t spin, it could be due to several issues. Common causes include a broken drive belt, faulty drive motor, or problems with the idler pulley or drum rollers. This issue leaves clothes damp and unmoved, requiring prompt attention to restore functionality.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Amana Models

  • Official Amana troubleshooting for non‑tumbling focuses primarily on power/switch issues; internal component guidance mainly from repair communities.

Possible Causes

Broken or worn drive belt

How to Identify: Drum won’t turn freely by hand; visible belt breakage or fraying when inspecting behind dryer panel.

Part: Drive belt

Faulty drive motor

How to Identify: Motor hums or overheats but drum doesn’t turn even if belt appears intact; may smell burnt or trip overload.

Part: Drive motor

Failed idler pulley or drum rollers

How to Identify: Drum difficult to turn manually; squealing or grinding noises before failure.

Part: Idler pulley / drum rollers

Defective door switch or start switch

How to Identify: Dryer heater runs but drum never starts; door switch doesn’t click firmly or lacks continuity.

Part: Door switch / start switch

DIY Solutions

Inspect and Replace Drive Belt

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, socket set, multimeter (optional)
  1. Unplug dryer and remove access panels.
  2. Locate and inspect the drive belt wrapped around the drum and motor.
  3. If belt is broken/worn, remove old belt and install a new one matching model specs.
  4. Reassemble panels, restore power, and test dryer spin.
⚠️ Safety First: Always disconnect power before servicing.

Test Door and Start Switch Continuity

Moderate 20–40 minutes
Tools Needed: multimeter, screwdriver
  1. Disconnect power and access control panel to locate door and start switches.
  2. Press switch actuators and use multimeter to check for continuity.
  3. Replace any switch that fails continuity tests.
  4. Reassemble and test function.
⚠️ Safety First: Handle electrical components with power off.

Professional Repairs

Drive Motor Replacement

Estimated Cost: $150 - $350

Idler Pulley / Drum Roller Replacement

Estimated Cost: $80 - $200

When to Call a Professional

Motor humming excessively or overheating
Drum still does not spin after belt and switch checks

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean lint filter & vents: Overheating and stress on motor and belt
    Frequency: Every load / annually
  • Inspect belt and rollers periodically: Unexpected belt/roller failure
    Frequency: Annually

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Amana Dryer not spinning, heater stays on?
Common causes include a broken drive belt, faulty drive motor, or issues with the idler pulley or drum rollers.
How do I fix Amana Dryer not spinning, heater stays on myself?
Inspect and replace the drive belt or test the door and start switch for continuity.
How much does it cost to fix not spinning, heater stays on?
Professional repairs typically range from $150 to $350 for the drive motor and $80 to $200 for idler pulley or drum roller replacement.
When should I call a technician for not spinning, heater stays on?
If DIY solutions do not resolve the issue or if you are uncomfortable with repairs, it's best to call a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

70%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Faulty door switch preventing the dryer from detecting that the door is closed, causing it to stay on without spinning.
  • Defective drive belt that has either broken or slipped off, preventing the drum from spinning while the heater remains operational.
  • Malfunctioning motor control board that may cause the dryer to not receive the correct signals for spinning, while the heater continues to operate.

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Check and replace the door switch if faulty. First, unplug the dryer. Remove the front panel to access the door switch. Test the switch with a multimeter for continuity. If no continuity is present, replace the switch.

  2. Inspect the drive belt. Unplug the dryer and remove the front panel. Check if the belt is broken or off the motor pulley. If broken, replace the belt by removing the drum and installing a new one.

  3. Test the motor control board. Unplug the dryer and access the control board. Look for burnt components or loose connections. If damaged, replace the control board.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Amana Electric Dryer not working

Community Discussions

Dryer stopped working, heater stays on after opening door, doesn't spin

Replaced motor, thermal fuse, and cleaned exhaust vent; fixed grounding issue with heating coil.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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