Tumble dryer drum not turning or the dryer is noisy
When the motor runs but the drum doesn't turn, the drive belt has usually snapped. Squealing and knocking are most often worn rollers, felt seals or a forgotten object in the drum.
- Most common cause
- snapped belt or worn rollers
- Time
- 10–20 minutes to check
- Repair shop
- 270–610 zł
Unplug the dryer before looking into the drum. Don't remove the casing of a heat pump dryer, because it contains a refrigerant circuit. Leave belt replacement to a repair shop if you have no experience.
Step by step
Check whether the drum turns by hand
With the dryer off, turn the drum by hand. If it spins very easily with no resistance, the belt has most likely snapped. If it's blocked, something is jamming it.
Look for objects in the drum
Coins, hair clips, bra wires and buttons can fall between the drum and the casing. Inspect the drum holes with a torch and remove what you can.
Clean the filters
A clogged lint filter and heat exchanger cause overheating and strange noises. Clean the door filter and the filter by the heat exchanger.
Check the dryer stands level
A dryer that isn't level vibrates and knocks. Adjust the feet with a spirit level.
Don't overload the drum
Too much laundry strains the belt and rollers. Stick to the load in the manual, especially with heavy blankets.
Describe the noise to the repair shop
Squealing while it turns is usually rollers or the drum felt, and a rhythmic knock is a loose object or a damaged bearing. A description like this speeds up diagnosis.
- the drum stands still while the motor hums
- you smell burning or hot rubber
- the noise gets louder with every load
- the drum is blocked and won't turn by hand
How much does a repair shop charge?
| Drive belt replacement | 270–480 zł |
| Drum roller replacement | 340–610 zł |
| Drum felt replacement | 340–610 zł |
| Motor replacement | 610–1100 zł |
Typical prices at independent repair shops in Poland, October 2026. Authorised service centres and big cities can be more expensive.
Repair or buy new?
The belt and rollers are cheap parts, so the repair usually pays off. Replacing the motor in an old dryer is often borderline.
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Why won't the dryer drum turn when the motor works?
Most often the drive belt has snapped. Less often an object or worn rollers block the drum.
Why does my dryer squeal?
Usually because of worn rollers, the drum felt or the belt tensioner.
Can I keep drying if the dryer is noisy?
Better not. The noise usually gets worse, and damaged rollers can ruin the belt or drum.