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If your dryer drum isn’t spinning when you turn it on, or your dryer makes a sharp, banging noise while it’s running, you may need to replace the dryer belt. While disassembling your dryer to swap the belt out may seem like a tough DIY gig, you’d be surprised how straightforward this is likely to be. If you’ve got a screwdriver, putty knife, and patience, you can pull this repair off no problem. Read on to learn everything you need to know about replacing your dryer belt.

Things You Should Know

  • Replace your dryer belt if your drum won’t spin or the machine makes a ton of noise when you turn the dryer on.
  • Disassembling your dryer is slightly different from model to model, but look for fasteners and screws around the seams where the top and front panels of your dryer meet.
  • Slide the new belt around the two pulleys at the bottom of the machine in a zigzag pattern.

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1

Unplug your machine.

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  1. You don’t want to shock yourself, so pull the plug on your dryer. Disconnect the aluminum hose from the dryer. If your dryer runs on gas, close the valve on top of the pipe that feeds into the wall. Then, use a wrench or channel locks to loosen the nut connecting the gas line to open it. [1]
    • You might smell some faint gas from the residue in your gas line. So long as the valve is off, you’re okay.
    • Stuff a rag in the pipe and the opening of the gas line to block the smell if it’s bothering you.
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3

Remove the lint filter and unscrew it.

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  1. You’re going to disassemble your dryer, but there are typically screws inside the filter slot that lock the top panel in place. Use a screwdriver to remove the 2 screws on the inside of the lint filter. Place them elsewhere for now. [2]
    • Skip this step if your lint filter isn’t on top of the machine.
    • Use a magnetic screwdriver if you can. If those screws fall down the filter, there’s no real way to get them back.
    • You’re going to remove a lot of screws here. To keep track of everything, it may help to label your screws by setting them in labeled sandwich bags.
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4

Look for fasteners around the seams.

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  1. There is no universal configuration for dryer assembly. Look around the front, back, and sides of the washer to see if any screws, clips, or buttons are visible where the individual panels meet. If there are, remove the screws, unfasten the clips, and/or press the buttons to try and remove any of the panels. [3]
    • If you don’t see any fasteners anywhere, you likely have to pop the top panel out first to reveal the fasteners.
    • You may be able to search your dryer model online to find instructions on removing the panels.
5

Pop the top panel out.

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  1. Facing the dryer from the front, insert a putty knife or metal file under the seam at the top. Move it left and right along the seam until you find the 2 clips holding the top panel in place. Pry the panel up with one hand while pressing on the clips with your knife or file until they unlock. [4]
    • Once you’ve unlocked the top panel of the dryer, lift it up off of the dryer. You may need to pull the panel out a bit before you can slide it up.
    • If the panel can’t be completely removed, prop the panel up and tie it to a rafter or fixture using wire.
    • Once that top panel is up, you should be able to see the belt if it’s still attached. It’s the black band running around the middle of the drum.
    • If you don’t see the belt, it probably broke and is sitting at the bottom.
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7

Disassemble the front panel.

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  1. Look along the seams on the inside of the machine for screws, clips, or other fasteners. Remove them to unlock the front panel. Brace the drum with one hand and gently try to slide the panel out. Once the panel is free, gently lower the drum and place the panel to the side. [6]
    • You may need to slide the front panel up before you can pull it out.
    • If there’s something holding the panel in place at the bottom, look at the bottom of the machine and remove any fasteners down there.
    • You may need to use a nut driver attachment to remove any hex nuts if they don’t have the divots for a screwdriver on them.
    • There may be a bulkhead supporting the drum at the bottom. If there is, remove the brackets and screws underneath to remove it.
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8

Purchase a replacement belt.

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  1. With the drum fully exposed, you should see the belt on a groove in the middle of the drum. If it isn’t there, look underneath the drum for the broken belt. Scan each part of the belt for a serial number and then order an identical belt online for the model. Add the brand of your dryer to the serial number to find the exact belt you need. [7]
    • A replacement belt shouldn’t cost more than $5-15.
    • If the belt isn’t broken, take a photo of the assembly where it wraps around the motor.
    • The belt wraps around two pulleys—an idler pulley that connects to the bottom frame, and the motor pulley.
    • The idler pull might be loose and free if your old belt broke.
11

Connect the belt to the idler pulley.

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  1. The belt wraps around the motor on the side furthest from the drum and around the idler pulley on the side closest to the drum. Pull the belt gently around the inside of the idler pulley track. Then, spin drum gently by hand to ensure that the belt is on the right track and everything fits. [10]
    • If the idler pulley isn’t attached to anything, look on the ground right in front of the motor. Insert the clips at the bottom of the idler pulley into the openings.
    • The round part of the pulley should be on the left of the motor.
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12

Reassemble your dryer.

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  1. Since the front panel holds the drum in place, start there. Slide the front panel into the frame and rest the drum in the slot for it (you may need to push it into place from the inside). Hook up any electrical harnesses you disconnected and reinstall any fasteners you removed to secure the front panel. Then, reinstall the top panel the same way you removed it. [11]
    • Slide the clips at the front of the top panel into the openings on the front panel if you removed them with a putty knife.
    • Reinstall the screws inside of the lint filter last. This will lock your top panel in place.
    • Give your front and top panels a gentle shake with your hands. If you feel any wiggling, reinspect all of the seams to find loose connections.
13

Test the dryer.

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  1. Once the panels are secure, reconnect everything and test your work. Slide the dryer back closer to the duct, outlet, and gas line. Reconnect the duct, tighten the gas line using a wrench or channel locks, and plug the dryer back in. Run a cycle with an empty drum for a few seconds to confirm that the drum is spinning and enjoy your fixed dryer! [12]
    • If you’re replacing the belt because it was making noise, that noise should disappear if you’ve fixed it.
    • If the drum doesn’t spin with a new belt, your motor is probably shot. Unless your dryer is brand new and it’s still under warranty, you’re going to need to buy a new dryer.
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Expert Q&A

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Add New Question
  • Question
    Is there any way to tell what belt I need without taking it apart?
    Justin Evatt
    Home Appliance Technician
    Justin Evatt is a Home Appliance Technician based in Clemson, South Carolina. Justin owns Appliance Tech, providing professional service and repair to the surrounding Upstate South Carolina area. The technicians at Appliance Tech are CFC certified, factory trained to service many major appliance brands and specialize in Washer, Dryer, Oven, and Refrigerator repair.
    Home Appliance Technician
    Expert Answer
    Do a Google search for your model + serial number + replacement parts. The model and serial number is generally located on the inside of your dryer door or sometimes on the back of your dryer. There should be a rectangular-shaped white or metal tag about the size of a normal warning label with the information on it.
  • Question
    I replaced the broken belt. I have the belt around the drum, on the right side of the idler arm, and the left side of the motor. However, the dryer still will not stay on when I turn the start button. What should I do?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Try switching the belt on the idler pulley and the motor pulley. You actually have it set up in the opposite order for most dryer models; the belt should be on the left of the idler and the right of the motor, not the other way around. Also, check to make sure your belt has the textured side facing inward against the drum. If you make those two changes and you still can't get the dryer to stay on, your motor is likely the culprit and you'll need to buy a new dryer.
  • Question
    Can you go to put the dryer belt on through the back of machine and get to the pulleys?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    The answer is maybe. On some dryer models you can 100% do this, but it's pretty rare. Unfortunately, most machines make the back panel a lot harder to remove than the front and the top. Even if the back panel would theoretically be the most convenient, most folks end up having to remove the front and top.
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      Tips

      • If your dryer belt looks fine when you open the top and front panels and your machine was making noise, try spraying lubricant on the pulleys at the bottom. These pieces occasionally need to be greased after a decade or so of use. [13]
      • Use your digital camera, camcorder or cell phone camera to take a few pictures as you work, it may be helpful in remembering how to reassemble the machine.
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        Oct 1, 2017

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