After washing a load of clothes and sticking it in the dryer, you may have turned it on and discovered that the drum is not spinning. Thinking the problem may be an electrical glitch, you may have unplugged the appliance and tried turning it on again to no avail. 

If the problem is not electrical or computer-related, the cause is most likely a problem with one of the parts. Below are a couple of possible mechanical reasons why your clothes dryer's drum is no longer spinning, requiring that it be fixed by a repair technician.

1. Drive Belt That Turns the Drum Is Stretched or Broken

One of the more common reasons why a dryer drum stops spinning has to do with the drive belt. If the belt is not engaging with the drum because it is stretched, it may only intermittently turn. If it breaks completely, the drum will not turn at all. Unless the belt snaps unexpectedly, it usually gives a warning sign by making squealing noises whenever the drum is in motion.

If you have heard this noise before the drum's refusal to spin, the cause is most likely the belt. If so, the belts will need to be replaced by a professional to ensure that it does not throw the drum off-balance.

2. Rear Bearing Has Caused the Drum to Seize Up 

Another possible reason that the drum is no longer tumbling your clothes is a worn rear bearing. When the bearing behind the drum becomes so worn that it no longer smoothly moves, it can cause the drum to seize up.

The easiest way to tell whether the bearing is to blame is by trying to manually turn the drum. If you are unable to move the drum more than a few inches or not at all, the bearing is worn down and will need to be replaced by an appliance repair professional.

If the drum on your clothes dryer refuses to spin, the drive belt may need to be replaced because it is stretched or broken. If the belt is in good condition, an alternative cause could be that the rear bearing is severely worn, which will seize up the drum. Either way, you should have a professional fix the issue to ensure that it is done correctly. Contact an appliance shop that offers dryer repair services in your home's area to schedule a service call.

Visit a service provider's website, such as Appliance-Mend.com, to learn more.