Hotpoint Dryer Drive Belt

The long belt that loops around the drum and is turned by the motor, so the drum tumbles.

DifficultyModerate

Typical time45 to 90 minutes

ToolsScrewdrivers or nut drivers, Putty knife for top clips (US)

Safety. Unplug the dryer before you start (and switch off the breaker if it is hard-wired). A blocked vent is a fire risk, so always clear the cause of any overheating.

Signs it has failed

The motor runs but the drum does not turn
A thumping or flapping noise as the drum spins
A smell of burning rubber
The belt looks frayed, stretched or has snapped

Check before you buy

Open the door and turn the drum by hand: if it spins with almost no resistance, the belt has broken or slipped off
Check the idler pulley and drum rollers at the same time, since a worn one will wreck a new belt
Look for lint packed around the motor

What replacing it fixes: if the signs above match your dryer and the checks point to this part, fitting a new one should clear those faults. If the symptoms continue, the cause is elsewhere (a control board, a sensor or a blocked vent or hose).

How to replace it

Unplug the dryer
Remove the top, front or back panel as needed for your model
Release the tension on the idler pulley and remove the old belt
Loop the new belt around the drum with the ribbed side against the drum, then around the idler and the motor pulley
Check the belt sits straight, refit the panels and test

Guide steps are typical for this type of part. Layouts differ between models, so follow your own manual where it differs.

Getting the right part

Belts are length- and rib-specific. Match the part number or measure the old belt, and check it is listed for your model.

Check your model number first. It is on the rating plate — usually inside the door frame, on the back or side panel, or inside the appliance. Parts that look identical often differ by model, so match the number to the listing before you order.