Dryer making loud noise? Causes and how to fix it
Dryers can significantly ease your laundry routine, especially if you live in a cold weather country. When it is impossible to hang your clothes under the warm sun, dryers become a lifesaver. However, over time parts of your dryer can wear out, causing various issues. One sign of a problem in your dryer is noise.
Depending on the type of noise your dryer is making, you or a technician can be able to figure out the problem. Evaluating the seriousness of this issue is key to finding the right solution. Whether you can fix the issue yourself, call in an expert, or start shopping for a new dryer.
In order to figure out what your dryer issue is, you need to identify the type of noise it makes. The following are some of the more common noises your dryer might make:
Dryer Is Making a Grinding Noise
When you hear your dryer making a grinding noise, there are two possible causes:
- A damaged drum glides. Drum glides can smooth the drum dryer rotation. But when they get worn out, a grinding sound occurs. As the drum rotates, it slides onto small plastic pieces called drum glides. When these wear out, the drum will make a grinding noise while sliding onto them. A technician will remove the dryer cabinet to check if the dryer glides need to be replaced.
- Worn-out bearings. Your dryer bearings are between the drum's back and the dryer casing. When the bearings get worn out, the drum rubs against the casing, causing a grinding noise. In some cases, together with a squeaking noise.
In both cases, to be able to diagnose the problem accurately, the drive belt needs to be removed. In this case, you need to contact a knowledgeable dryer technician immediately.
Dryer Is Making a Screeching Noise
Loud screeching is an unsettling noise, especially coming out of your dryer. This noise is caused by a worn-out idler pulley. This tensioner or pulley keeps the drum belt taught and is subject to friction and tension. However, due wear and tear can develop a defect, causing a squeaking sound in the beginning and later a banging noise.
- Unplug your appliance, and disconnect the air vent duct if needed. Then move it to a place where you have enough space to inspect the back of the dryer.
- Stop here if your dryer is gas-powered or hardwired to your home's electrical system. Call a professional technician to resolve the issue
- Find the pulley if you can move the dryer away from the wall. It looks like a wheel on a moveable bracket above the dryer belt looping around the drum. Try to turn the pulley manually. If it is difficult or doesn't turn, call a qualified technician who can replace the piece.
Also, do not use the dryer until you get it repaired. Using a dryer with a broken pulley can emit a burning smell and cause your dryer to fail entirely.
Another cause of the squeaking sound in your dryer can be defective drum rollers. As the drum rotates, the rollers hold it in place. To check if the rollers are not working, you can:
- Unplug the dryer. Then remove the front panel and the drum
- Check the rollers. They can be in the rear bulkhead or on both front and rear bulkheads
- Remove the rollers from the shat and inspect, clean, and lube them
- Examine the shaft where the rollers rotate on. Check if they are in good condition.
- Replace the shaft or drum rollers if they are worn out.
Dryer Is Making a Thumping Noise
Check your laundry if you hear a thumping noise coming out of your dryer while it is in use. The noise can come from heavy objects or a ball of towels. However, if you don't see anything in your laundry causing the noise, it may be the internal components of the machine, such as:
- A damaged belt. The thumping noise in your dryer can result from a frayed or broken belt. The drive belt is part of the pulley system that rotates the dryer drum. If the belt is damaged, the drum can not correctly turn, making a loud thumping noise. The drive belt can be removed and replaced with relative ease. Open the dryer and locate the belt. It is found draped around the dryer drum. If you find fragments of the belt inside the dryer is a good indicator that it needs to be replaced.
- A worn-out roller. It can be the cause of a thumping or creaking noise. When the roller is not solid connected to the drum it will make a sound when the drum rotates. This part will need to be replaced in its totality
- Baffle or Lifter. In your dryer drum, a thump or bang may be caused by the baffles that lift your clothes as they tumble. Under a baffle, debris or pocket change could be stuck, creating noise. Or one of the baffles themselves could have gotten loose. If this happens, the baffles or lifters can be fixed or switched to new ones.
- Felt Drum Seal. A tear in the dryer felt drum seal can be the cause of a thumping or scraping sound. The seals act as a cushion to keep the drum of your dryer from rubbing against the bulkheads. They also prevent that too much air comes into the drum. If the felt material gets worn out because of use and age, clothes can get stuck in the gaps while the drum turns, causing thump or scraping noises. It can also happen that your clothes have black marks or come out ripped after being in the dryer.
Dryer Is Making a Rumbling Noise
If your dryer is making a rumbling noise, it can be because of a loose, blocked, or unbalanced blower wheel. This plastic part guides air on its journey through your dryer: from the heating chamber through the drum and then to its exit through the exhaust vent. The plastic can eventually wear out, causing damage to the piece. Attached to the motor end, it can either be threaded on or clamped onto the shaft.
You are able to diagnose a problem with the blower wheel by turning off the dryer and paying attention to see if the noise continues. The blower wheel can be found at the front or rear panel inside the blower wheel housing. Check if any debris is obstructing the wheel movement. Also, look for signs of wear at the wheel's hub and the junction to the shaft to evaluate if it needs to be replaced.
Dryer Is Making Multiple
Your dryer drive motor can cause multiple noises:
- A rattling noise can be that the pulley came loose.
- A high-pitched whine can signify that a bushing or bearing in the motor is damaged
- A humming sound can originate from one of the broken switches or windings on the motor.
To examine the source of the noise, first, unplug your dryer. Then remove the dryer cabinet; if necessary, you may need to remove the blower wheel or drum belt to get to the motor. When you gain access to the motor, check the noise source by turning it. You can also check the dryer motor by using a multimeter.
Other possible causes of noise coming from your dryer that doesn't involve the internal components can be easily fixed by:
- Checking for rattling objects. Before opening up your dryer to see what the noise source is, try removing everything from the drum before starting a new dryer cycle. It can be an object in your clothes hitting the sides, making an unusual sound.
- Move or pad the dryer. Check if your dryer is rattling against the wall or other appliances nearby. You can move the dryer and check if the noise stops. If moving the dryer is not possible, try to fill the gaps with acoustic pads or blankets to lower the noise.
- Check that the dryer is level.If your dryer is not properly level, it can cause the drum to rotate unevenly and create noise. Use a spirit level and adjust the dryer feet to check if the sound will stop.
- Call an expert technician.Call an appliance repair expert to properly assess the issue and perform an adequate repair if your dryer problem is not easy enough for you to fix. You can check the drum yourself by switching the dryer off and then turning it by hand to see if it makes a noise. Push against the drum gently and see if it bounces back instantly. If it doesn't, that's a sign of a damaged mechanism. You may even notice shredded pieces of drum belt inside the drum. This is your cue to call an expert. Remember, your dryer is one of the essential appliances in your home and requires prompt attention not to disrupt your household harmony.