Troubleshooting Kenmore Electric Dryer Belt

Unplug the dryer from its power source. Troubleshooting the belt while the appliance is plugged in is dangerous.

Take out the lint screen and remove the two Phillips screws from the lint screen housing on the dryer’s top. Insert a small flat-blade screwdriver underneath the top dryer panel. Pressing the locking clips at the panel’s edges with the screwdriver’s tip releases them. Raise the top panel to the vertical position and lean it back slightly resting against the wall.

Look into the washer cabinet’s top and examine the dryer belt. Check that the belt is undamaged and in the belt track with the grooved side facing down. If you don't see the belt wrapped around the drum, it is most likely broken and needs replacing.

Remove the lower access panel and troubleshoot the belt pulley system or replace a broken belt. Use the small flat-blade screwdriver to release the two locking clips on the top edge of the lower access panel. Pull the top of the panel toward you, lifting it up and off the support clips on the dryer cabinet’s bottom.

Examining the idler and motor pulley assemblies determines whether the belt is properly threaded. The belt should pass through the idler pulley and wrap around the motor pulley. Correct the threading if the belt is free of the pulleys, but is still intact.

Remove and replace the belt if it is damaged or broken. Slip the replacement belt over the dryer drum. Facing the belt’s grooved side ensures proper contact with the drum. Pull the idler pulley to the left and thread the belt through its center. Hook the belt on the motor pulley located to the idler pulley’s right. Releasing the idler pulley sets the belt tension.

Applying two to three small drops of sewing machine oil on the idler pulley’s spindle stops or prevents the belt assembly from squeaking.