Amana Dryer: not tumbling

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Amana dryer failing to tumble? If the drum is stationary while the dryer powers on, this could be due to a broken drive belt, worn drum rollers, or other mechanical issues. Understanding the cause can help you get your dryer back to working condition quickly.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Amana Models

  • Amana support and parts pros recommend a maintenance kit including belt, idler pulley, and rollers to address most non-tumble issues

Possible Causes

Broken or worn drive belt

How to Identify: Drum doesn’t turn freely by hand or no resistance when trying to turn it manually; visible cracks, fraying, or break in belt

Part: Drive belt

Worn or seized drum rollers/rollers and axles

How to Identify: Drum refuses to spin smoothly by hand; rollers appear worn, flat spots, or not turning freely

Part: Drum rollers/drum support rollers

Faulty idler pulley assembly

How to Identify: Drive belt tension problems; belt slipping off; pulley not spinning freely

Part: Idler pulley

Drive motor failure

How to Identify: Motor hums but drum doesn’t turn; no drum movement even with belt removed and motor not turning

Part: Drive motor

Faulty control board or electrical issue

How to Identify: No power sent to motor; inconsistent control panel behavior; other electrical oddities

Part: Control board/start switch

Door switch safety fault

How to Identify: Dryer will not initiate tumbling if door switch not registering as closed

Part: Door/lid switch

DIY Solutions

Inspect and replace drive belt

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdrivers, socket set, replacement belt
  1. Unplug dryer from power
  2. Remove access panel to expose drum and belt
  3. Check belt for breaks or wear
  4. Remove old belt and install new one around drum and pulleys
  5. Reassemble panels and test dryer
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power disconnected before opening panels

Check drum rollers and replace if worn

Moderate To Advanced 45–90 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdrivers, pliers, replacement rollers
  1. Disconnect power
  2. Remove dryer panels
  3. Inspect rollers and axles for wear
  4. Remove and replace all worn rollers
  5. Reassemble and test
⚠️ Safety First: Watch for pinch points when removing drum

Inspect idler pulley and correct belt tension

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdrivers, replacement pulley if needed
  1. Disconnect power
  2. Access belt and idler assembly
  3. Check if idler spins freely and belt has proper tension
  4. Replace pulley if seized or damaged
  5. Reassemble and test
⚠️ Safety First: Disconnect power before inspecting moving parts

Professional Repairs

Replace drive motor

Estimated Cost: $150 - $300

Control board/electrical diagnosis and repair

Estimated Cost: $200 - $400

Door switch or safety interlock replacement

Estimated Cost: $50 - $120

When to Call a Professional

Drum still not turning after belt, rollers, and pulley replaced
Motor hums but won’t turn or unusual electrical behavior
Control panel errors or power irregularities

Preventive Maintenance

  • Inspect drive belt and rollers periodically: Wear-related non-tumbling issues
    Frequency: annually
  • Clean lint trap and vent: Overheating that accelerates component wear
    Frequency: after every use / yearly vent cleaning

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Amana Dryer not tumbling?
Common causes include a broken drive belt, worn drum rollers, or a faulty idler pulley.
How do I fix Amana Dryer not tumbling myself?
Check the drive belt and drum rollers for wear, and inspect the idler pulley for proper tension.
How much does it cost to fix not tumbling?
Professional repairs range from $50 for a door switch to $300 for a drive motor replacement.
When should I call a technician for not tumbling?
If you're unable to diagnose or repair the problem yourself, or if it involves complex electrical issues.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

65%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Faulty drive belt
  • Defective motor
  • Broken door switch
  • Clogged blower assembly
  • Worn drum rollers

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Inspect and replace the drive belt. Unplug the dryer, remove the front panel, and check the belt for wear or breakage. Replace if necessary.

  2. Test and replace the motor if defective. Unplug the dryer, access the motor, and use a multimeter to check for continuity. Replace if faulty.

  3. Check and replace the door switch. Open the dryer door and test the switch for continuity with a multimeter. Replace if it does not function.

  4. Clean the blower assembly. Unplug the dryer, remove the blower cover, and clear any lint or debris blocking airflow.

  5. Inspect and replace the drum rollers if worn. Unplug the dryer, remove the drum, and check the rollers for wear. Replace if necessary.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. What is this part and is it necessary? I'm sure it is.....

Community Discussions

stopped tumbling, made noises

The broken part is a blower necessary for cooling the motor, and the motor assembly needs to be replaced.

Pro needed View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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