Why Your Maytag Dryer Is Not Spinning – Real Case, Real Fix

What the Customer Reported

The customer described the problem like this:

• Dryer barely tumbles
• Drum feels “too tight” when turned by hand
• Loud rumbling noise
• Clothes take 120 minutes or longer to dry
• Replacing the belt didn’t help

These are classic signs of a mechanical part wearing out, but not necessarily the belt. Many people assume the belt is the issue, but in most cases, the belt is fine – something else is causing resistance.

How We Diagnosed the Issue

When our technician arrived, we checked:

1. Belt tension

The new belt was fine. No slipping, no cracks, no stretching.

2. Drum movement

The drum turning by hand felt stiff – but this is actually normal for this dryer style. So this wasn’t the main cause.

3. Rollers

There was a small amount of play in the rollers, but nothing that would stop the dryer from tumbling.

4. Blower wheel

This is where we found the real problem.
The blower wheel was worn and loose, which caused:

• Rattling/rumbling noise
• Extra resistance
• Slow tumbling
• Very long drying times

The Fix

A replacement blower wheel was ordered right away. Once installed, the dryer returned to normal:

• No more rumbling
• Drum spun smoothly
• Drying time back to normal
• No more long cycles

The customer saved the dryer – and avoided buying a new one.

Common Reasons a Maytag Dryer Stops Spinning or Tumbles Slowly

If your Maytag dryer is not spinning, here are the most common causes:

1. Worn Blower Wheel (Very Common)

A loose or cracked blower wheel creates noise and airflow problems. This was the exact issue in our case.

2. Worn Drum Rollers

Rollers support the drum. When worn, the drum drags and struggles to spin.

3. Worn Idler Pulley

If the pulley is worn, the belt can lose tension, causing slow tumbling.

4. Motor Starting to Fail

A weak motor can cause slow spinning or overheating shut-offs.

5. Belt Issues

If the belt is broken, the dryer won’t spin at all.
But if the dryer spins slowly, the belt is rarely the true cause.

6. Clogged Vent

Poor airflow leads to long drying times and overheating.

7. Drum Glides Worn Out

These let the drum move easily. When worn, the drum fights against friction.

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Dryer That Isn’t Spinning Normally

A dryer that is:

• Noisy
• Slow
• Rumbling
• Struggling to tumble
• Taking too long to dry

…is telling you that a part is wearing out.

Continuing to use it can lead to:

• Motor failure
• Belt snapping
• Overheating
• Fire hazard in extreme cases

Fixing it early is always cheaper than waiting.