Fix a Samsung Dryer That Starts But the Drum Does Not Turn

Is your Samsung dryer turning on but the drum won’t spin? We’ve got you covered! This issue is often caused by a worn-out drive belt, a faulty motor, or a broken idler pulley. We’ll walk you through the steps to diagnose and fix the problem—no need to call the pros!

If you need any replacement parts for your Samsung dryer, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to order them. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of free guides to show you how to install your new parts.

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

What you need

• Multimeter
• Phillips screwdriver
• Flat head screwdriver
• 14mm socket

Safety tips

When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before you attempt any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by eliminating any risk of electric shock. 
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it. 
• Take your time while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries. Rushing is the enemy of precision.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can see and access appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part. 
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Always take photos or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting them to make reassembly easier.
• Don’t test live voltage with a multimeter if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short-circuiting.
• Consider wearing safety glasses and/or a dust mask when working with chemicals, dust, or a large amount of debris to prevent irritation or injury.
• Turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs. Keep towels ready to catch any residual water in the system when removing parts.

How to troubleshoot a Samsung dryer that starts but the drum does not turn

Follow these steps to identify and fix the issue preventing the drum from turning. Each step will guide you through testing and inspecting key components, from the main PCB to the motor.

Access the main PCB

1. Disconnect power to the dryer by unplugging the power cord or turning off the circuit breaker.
2. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the top panel at the back of the dryer.
3. Slide the top panel backward, lift it up, and set it aside.
4. Remove the three mounting screws securing the main control housing to the front and side frame using a Phillips screwdriver.
5. Carefully rotate the main control to access the wires, making sure no bare wires touch any metal.

Test the main PCB for voltage

LIVE VOLTAGE WARNING: For this test, the dryer needs to be plugged in and powered on. Please be very careful to protect yourself from electric shock, which has the potential to cause serious injuries. Don’t ever test live voltage if you’re uncomfortable using a multimeter.

1. Plug the power cord back in or flip the breaker back on.
2. Set the multimeter to Volts AC, indicated by a “V” with a squiggly line.
3. Start a cycle on the dryer.
4. Test from the brown wire at relay 5 to the brown wire at connection CN1.
5. If there is no 120 Volts AC and the display does not show an open door, replace the main control.
6. If 120 Volts AC is present, the main PCB is functioning, and further troubleshooting is needed.

Inspect the belt

1. Turn off the dryer and unplug the power cord.
2. Lift the dryer belt and check for damage or breakage.
3. If the belt is damaged, replace it.
4. If the belt is intact, proceed with further testing.

Access the thermal limiter

1. Disconnect the wires behind the console on the right.
2. Lift the console and pull it away from the dryer.
3. Feed the wires through the top bracket and set the console aside.
4. Remove the two screws behind the door near the lint trap using a Phillips screwdriver.
5. Take out the four screws at the top of the front panel.
6. Slightly lift the front panel, rotate it forward, disconnect the door switch harness, and set the panel aside.
7. Remove the lint filter.
8. Unlatch the wire retainers from the wire harness and disconnect the wires from the drum lamp.
9. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the five screws securing the top plate and remove it.
10. Remove the four screws securing the front bulkhead and disconnect the sensor bar wire connector.
11. Take out the screws from the lint duct, pull it down, and set it aside.
12. Reach back and remove the belt from the idler pulley.
13. Lift the front bulkhead up, pull it forward, and set it aside.
14. Lift the drum off the rollers and place it aside.

Testi the thermal limiter for continuity

1. Set the multimeter to continuity mode (sideways Wi-Fi symbol).
2. Remove one wire from the thermal limiter, located at the back of the blower on the right.
3. Test for continuity.
4. If there is no continuity, replace the thermal limiter.
5. If continuity is present, continue troubleshooting.

Inspect the drum rollers

1. Rotate each drum roller by hand.
2. If a roller does not rotate freely, replace it.
3. If all rollers move freely, move on to the next step.

Inspect the idler pulley

1. Rotate the idler pulley by hand.
2. If it does not rotate freely, replace it.
3. Check for grooves cut into it by the belt, which indicate seizing.
4. If the idler pulley moves freely without damage, continue troubleshooting.

Test the belt switch

1. Set the multimeter to continuity mode.
2. Disconnect the wires from the belt switch.
3. Lift the idler pulley off the switch arm and test for continuity.
4. If there is no continuity, replace the belt switch.
5. If continuity is present, proceed to the final test.

Test the motor for resistance

1. Set the multimeter to resistance mode (upside-down horseshoe symbol).
2. Test from the brown wire at terminal 4 to the yellow wire at terminal 5.
3. The resistance should be between 1.8 to 2 Ohms.
4. If the resistance is outside this range, replace the motor.

NOTE: Generally, for every 1 degree in temperature difference, 2 Ohms could be added or subtracted. If the temperature in your home is cooler, resistance would be subtracted.

More DIY help at your fingertips

Thanks for sticking with us! We hope this guide got your Samsung dryer drum back up and running. If you’ve got other appliance repairs on your list, take a look at our other guides and videos for some more help. When you’re ready to order new parts, just grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. You can chat with a pro, check out our DIY blog, view diagrams and more. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube and connect with us on Facebook, X and Instagram!