There are several reasons your Hotpoint tumble dryer might stop spinning.
Before you think about replacing your dryer completely, you should first troubleshoot the problem and attempt to fix it. Not only will this save you a lot of time, but it will also reduce your expenses.
The most common faults that cause the dryer drum to stop rotating properly include:
- Problems with the rear drum bearing
- Broken drive belt, pulley
- Faulty rear bearing
If your tumble dryer has stopped spinning, this guide should help. Below discusses the common causes of this issue and how to resolve it.
Why Does a Hotpoint Dryer Stop Rotating?
As mentioned at the start of this guide, there are several reasons why a Hotpoint dryer drum might have stopped spinning.
Keep reading to learn more about each of the common causes of this and the appropriate steps to follow when resolving the issue with your tumble dryer.
Problems With the Dryer Drive Belt
The drive belt in a tumble dryer winds around the drum inside the machine, as well as a tension pulley and a drive motor pulley. Over time, the belt can wear away, causing it to come loose or break.
If the drive belt is worn or broken, it can stop working and will no longer spin the drum. You can easily test whether the drive belt is broken by reaching your hand into your dryer and manually rotating the drum.
If the drum spins freely inside the tumble dryer, the issue is probably a broken drive belt. In this case, you’ll need to either repair or replace it to restore your dryer’s function.
If the drum gets stuck or feels stiff when you try manually turning it inside your tumble dryer, the fault could be elsewhere.
Faulty Dryer Drum Roller
Most tumble dryers have two rollers that support the drum shaft. However, depending on the model number of your Hotpoint dryer, it might have more or less than this.
The function of the drum rollers is to ensure that the drum shaft and drum belt can spin freely during a drying cycle. If they get worn out, it can cause the drum to stop spinning.
You will need to remove the belt to test whether the issue lies in the drum rollers. Luckily, it’s relatively easy to gain access to the belt, and you can remove it from your appliance by hand.
Once you’ve removed the belt, try spinning the drum by hand. If it doesn’t rotate, the drum rollers are likely worn out and will need replacing as soon as possible.
Issues With the Tension Pulley
The tension pulley or idler pulley sits adjacent to the drive motor towards the bottom of the tumble dryer. It helps to spin the drum by creating tension on the drive motor pulley.
You can test whether pulley-related issues are the reason why your dryer has stopped spinning by listening out for squeaking, thumping, or grinding noises when the dryer is in use. If you hear any unusual noises, you’ll need to repair or replace the tension pulley.
Another key sign that the pulley inside the dryer is the cause of the issue is if the drum is rotating a lot more slowly than usual. This indicates that the idler pulley isn’t creating as much tension on the drive motor pulley as it should, causing the drum to slow down.
To replace the pulley inside your dryer, you must first turn it off at the power button and unplug it. You can then remove the panels to access the pulley on the assembly unit.
Remove the bolts that secure the pulley in place and remove it. You can then fix the current pulley or replace it with a new one.
Dryer Drive Motor Dysfunction
The drive motor inside a Hotpoint tumble dryer of any model number is responsible for turning the dryer drum and the blower wheel during a drying cycle. If it’s faulty, you might notice that your dryer makes a humming noise when operating.
If so, remove the belt from the motor and check that the blower wheel isn’t blocked. You should then rotate the drum manually. If it spins freely and the blower wheel isn’t obstructed, it’s probably an issue with the drive motor, and it will need repairing or replacing.
A Blocked Dryer Blower Wheel
The dryer blower wheel helps to circulate air around the dryer drum. Over time, dust and dirt can build up on the wheel, causing it to become clogged and obstructed.
An obstructed blower wheel can cause the drum to stop spinning as effectively or it could stop rotating altogether. If the blower wheel is clogged, you’ll need to clean it or replace it, neither of which should take too long to do.
Start Capacitor Issues
Problems with the start capacitor will be apparent if the motor inside the dryer is running, but the drum isn’t turning.
You can test whether the start capacitor is the cause of the issue by manually rotating the drum. If it continues to spin after you remove your hand and shut the door but doesn’t spin on its own, the start motor capacitor is most likely the culprit.
Getting Further Assistance With Your Tumble Dryer
If, after reading through this guide, you still haven’t located the fault in your dryer and you’re stuck as to how you can fix your appliance, you might need to call a qualified engineer.
With the help of an engineer, you can get your questions answered and receive the support that you need.
Alternatively, you can get further assistance by watching online tutorial videos that through each Hotpoint tumble dryer fault that leads to issues with drum rotation.
Dryer Maintenance Kit
The engineer may also advise you to get a dryer maintenance kit, which will include the dryer parts that most commonly need to be repaired or replaced. Usually, a maintenance kit includes a drive belt, tension pulley, rear drum bearing, and drum rollers.
Replacing the broken components of your tumble dryer as soon as possible will prolong its lifespan and save money by avoiding a full replacement.