How do I replace a dryer belt?
Replace a dryer belt only on an electric dryer with the power off at the plug or breaker, and follow your model's repair instructions. Open the cabinet, note how the old belt loops around the drum and pulleys, vacuum the lint, fit the matching new belt and test. On a gas dryer, call a pro.
Free to ask. Local shops send quotes, and you pay only when you book one.
By Kasra Taheri, Founder, LoclisPublished
Researched and drafted with AI, then checked claim by claim against the sources listed below before it was published. Prices and rules change; the dates beside each source say when it was last checked.
Step by step
Read when to stop and call a pro, further down this page, before you start.
Step 1: Confirm it is the belt
A belt problem usually means the motor hums or you hear a thump while the drum will not turn, and the drum spins loosely by hand. A dryer that runs but does not heat is a different fault.
Step 2: Check it is an electric dryer
This job is for electric dryers only. If yours burns gas, stop and book a pro: GE's manual says installation and service must be performed by a qualified installer, service agency or the gas supplier.[1]
Step 3: Cut the power
Unplug the dryer, or switch off its circuit breaker; turning the cycle knob to OFF does not disconnect it.[1]
Step 4: Find your model's instructions
Look up the model number inside the door frame and follow the manufacturer's published repair instructions for it, as the opening order differs between brands.[1]
Step 5: Pull the dryer out and open the cabinet
Slide the dryer forward, then remove the top or front panel as the model instructions direct, keeping each screw with its panel.
Step 6: Photograph the old belt path
Photograph how the belt loops around the drum, the motor pulley and the idler pulley before you touch it.
Step 7: Remove the old belt and vacuum the lint
Slip off the old belt, lift the drum out if the model needs it, and vacuum the lint from the cabinet floor and around the motor.
Step 8: Fit the new belt and check the pulleys
Seat the new belt on the drum the way the old one sat, ribbed side as in your photo, then spin the idler and motor pulleys by hand to check for roughness.
Step 9: Reassemble and test
Close the cabinet, reconnect the vent and power, and run an empty cycle while listening for squeals.
Replace the belt only if the dryer is electric and unplugged
A dryer belt is a long rubber loop that wraps around the drum and is driven by the motor. When it snaps or stretches, the motor hums or runs but the drum does not turn. Replacing it is a job many homeowners can do in an hour or two with a screwdriver or nut driver, provided the dryer is electric and the power is off.
If the dryer is a gas model, stop and call a pro. GE's owner's manual says installation and service must be performed by a qualified installer, service agency or the gas supplier.[1]
Before you open anything
Unplug the dryer, or disconnect it at the household panel by removing the fuse or switching off the circuit breaker, before attempting any maintenance or cleaning.[1] Turning the cycle selector knob to OFF does not disconnect the dryer from the power supply.[1] Most electric dryers use two fuses or breakers, so a dryer on a double breaker needs the whole breaker off, not half of it.[1]
The manufacturer's own warning also applies to you: do not attempt to repair or replace any part of the appliance unless it is recommended in the owner's manual or in published user-repair instructions that you understand and have the skills to carry out.[1] Find the model and serial number on the label inside the door frame, search the manufacturer's site for that model, and use its parts diagram to order the right belt. Belts are model-specific, and a wrong length will slip or snap again.
How the job goes
Pull the dryer out far enough to reach the back and sides, and disconnect or at least loosen the vent so it is not crushed. Most dryers open from the top (a pair of clips or screws releases the top panel) or from the front. Remove the panels as your model's instructions show, and keep screws in a cup.
Before you remove the old belt, photograph how it runs. The belt loops around the drum, passes under a spring-loaded idler pulley that keeps tension, and wraps the small motor pulley. The new belt follows the same path. Lift the drum out only if your model needs it.
Then vacuum out the cabinet. Lint collects where the belt runs, and it is a fire hazard: lint can block the flow of air, cause excessive heat build-up, and result in a fire in some dryers.[2] This is a good time to clean behind and around the dryer too, since that is where lint builds up.[3]
Fit the new belt around the drum with its ribbed side oriented as the old belt's was, push the idler pulley aside to slip the belt over the motor pulley, and release it. Spin the drum by hand once: it should turn smoothly with no scraping. Rebuild the panels, reconnect the vent and power, and run an empty cycle. Never reach into the dryer while the drum is moving.[1]
If the belt looks fine but the drum still will not turn, or the idler pulley, drum rollers or motor bearing is noisy, replace those worn parts at the same time or have a technician look.
Stop and call a pro if
- It is a gas dryer. Book a pro: GE's manual says installation and service must be performed by a qualified installer, service agency or the gas supplier.[1] If you smell gas, do not light a match or turn on any gas or electrical appliance, do not touch any electrical switch, clear the room and call your gas supplier from a neighbor's phone.[1]
- You see burnt or melted wiring, scorched lint or a damaged cord or plug. That is a repair for a technician, not a belt job.
- The drum is jammed or the motor hums and will not start with a new belt. The motor, a seized bearing or a blocked drum may be the cause.
- You cannot find instructions for your exact model, or the dryer is still under warranty, where opening the cabinet yourself can cause problems.
- You are not comfortable with the disassembly. Have a qualified service person clean the interior of the dryer chassis periodically,[2] and an appointment for the belt can include it.
Getting help in Virginia
If you are weighing the cost, read how much dryer repair costs in Virginia and whether to repair or replace a dryer. More guides sit under appliance repair answers, and you can browse dryer repair businesses or the wider appliance repair category.
When you are ready, describe the dryer problem once and local appliance repair businesses quote it.
Common questions
- How do I know the belt is broken and not the motor?
- If the motor hums or runs but the drum does not turn, and the drum spins loosely by hand with the dryer unplugged, the belt has most likely broken or come off. If the drum is stiff or jammed, or nothing at all happens, suspect a seized drum roller or bearing or the motor. A technician can tell the difference in a short visit.
- Can I replace the belt on a gas dryer?
- Not in this guide. GE's owner's manual says installation and service must be performed by a qualified installer, service agency or the gas supplier, so book a service visit for a gas dryer.
- Do I need to unplug the dryer if I only turn the knob to off?
- Yes. GE's manual says turning the cycle selector knob to OFF does not disconnect the dryer from the power supply. Unplug it, or switch off its breaker, before you open the cabinet.
- Where do I get the right belt?
- Find the model number on the label inside the door frame, then order the belt listed for that exact model from the manufacturer or a parts supplier. Belts differ in length and width between models, and a wrong one will slip or snap.
- Should I clean the lint while the dryer is open?
- Yes. Lint can block the flow of air, cause excessive heat build-up, and result in a fire in some dryers, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Vacuum the cabinet floor and the area around the motor before closing it up.
Sources
- [1] Owner's Manual, Dryers (49-90052), GE Appliances. Checked October 27, 2026.
- [2] Overheated Clothes Dryers Can Cause Fires (Publication 5022), U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Checked October 27, 2026.
- [3] Clothes Dryer Fire Safety, U.S. Fire Administration, FEMA. Checked October 27, 2026.
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