A broken belt can stop movement, but if it keeps slipping off, you need to check the pulleys, mounting, and shaft. Installing another belt will not fix a misalignment.
Confirm that belt drive is present
Not all drives use one. The parts diagram for the model lets you identify its path and keeps you from looking for one on a direct-drive motor. If you only know the symptom, start with drum not spinning.
What should be inspected
- Belt breakage, wear, or contamination.
- Condition of the grooves and surfaces of the pulleys.
- Fasteners and alignment of the belt path.
- Shaft play or drum looseness that could make it come off.
Internal inspection is carried out with the power isolated and the access documented. Do not observe an uncovered drive while it is running. Belt and pulley can catch fingers even during manual rotation.
Choosing and verifying the replacement part
Select the compatible part number, not an approximate length. Profile, elasticity, and construction must match the system. Tension and torque cannot be judged by feel.
Do not lubricate the belt or stretch it to make it fit. After the repair, reinstall guards and check the drive using the manufacturer’s procedure. If there was the smell of burnt rubber, investigate the source before another test.
A belt that repeatedly comes off requires checking what guides its path; it should not be treated as a simple placement issue.