The belt wraps the drum and the motor pulley. It breaks with age or when the drum is overloaded, and the symptom is a motor that runs with a drum that does not turn.
Brand repair hub
Whirlpool Appliance Repair
Whirlpool Corporation builds Whirlpool appliances alongside Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana, Roper and JennAir. Many models across those brands share platforms and parts, so a Whirlpool part number often fits the matching Maytag or Amana model.
Find the model plate
The model and serial plate is usually inside the door or door frame on dryers and washers, and on the interior wall or behind the kick plate on refrigeration.
Whirlpool repair guides by appliance
Whirlpool Dryer
Parts, test order and brand-specific notes for dryer repairs.
Open guide →Whirlpool Freezer
Parts, test order and brand-specific notes for freezer repairs.
Open guide →Whirlpool Oven
Parts, test order and brand-specific notes for oven repairs.
Open guide →Whirlpool Stove or cooktop
Parts, test order and brand-specific notes for stove or cooktop repairs.
Open guide →Whirlpool Range
Parts, test order and brand-specific notes for range repairs.
Open guide →Whirlpool Washer
Parts, test order and brand-specific notes for washer repairs.
Open guide →Whirlpool Washer-dryer
Parts, test order and brand-specific notes for washer-dryer repairs.
Open guide →Parts for Whirlpool appliances
The idler keeps tension on the belt. A worn pulley bearing produces a chirp or squeal that changes with drum speed, and a seized pulley will shred a new belt.
The thermal fuse is a one-shot safety device on the exhaust path. It opens when the dryer overheats, which is why replacing it without clearing the lint blockage leads to a repeat failure.
Electric dryer elements are coiled resistance wire in a metal frame. They break with age or heat cycling, and a broken coil is often visible as a gap or a blistered section.
The igniter is a ceramic element that glows to light the gas burner. It is fragile, and a cracked igniter will glow weakly or not at all while the dryer tumbles without heat.
The blower moves air through the drum and out the vent. A cracked hub or stripped center lets the wheel spin on the shaft, so the dryer runs quietly but airflow drops and clothes stay damp.
Always order by the full model and serial number. A part that looks identical can differ in mounting, wattage or connector.