Dryer Makes Noise

Confirm the dryer is level. A dryer that is not level can cause excessive wear on certain parts such as bearings and glides, resulting in noisy operation. If the dryer is not level, adjust the leveling legs as necessary.

The blower wheel draws air through the dryer and pushes the air out the vent. Clumps of lint, socks, and small articles of clothing can escape the lint filter and get caught in the blower wheel. If an object is caught in the blower wheel, the dryer may make noise. In addition, the blower wheel sleeve can wear out, allowing the blower wheel to wobble on the motor shaft. To determine if the blower wheel is working properly, remove the dryer vent and assess the strength of the air flow. If the air flow is weak, check the blower wheel for obstructions. If no obstructions are present, try rotating the blower wheel by hand. If the blower wheel wobbles as it turns, replace it.

The drum bearing supports the rear of the dryer drum. Over time, the drum bearing wears out. If the drum bearing is worn out, the dryer may make noise. To determine if the drum bearing is at fault, remove the dryer belt and try turning the drum by hand. If the drum rotates freely, it is unlikely that the drum bearing is worn out. If the drum makes squealing or grinding sounds when turned and/or is hard to turn, check the drum bearing and replace it if necessary.

Most dryers have two drum support rollers on the rear of the drum, and some dryers have two more rollers supporting the front of the drum. The rollers must spin freely to work properly. Over time, the drum roller axles can wear out, causing the rollers to bind. If the rollers are worn out or start binding, the dryer may make a loud rumbling noise. To determine if the support rollers are worn out, remove the belt from the dryer and try turning the drum by hand. If the drum does not rotate freely, check the support rollers for wear. If the rollers spin freely without wobbling, they do not need to be replaced. If a roller wobbles and/or does not spin freely, we recommend replacing all of the axles and rollers as a preventative measure.

If your dryer is making noise and you aren’t sure which part to replace, you can purchase a dryer maintenance kit. The dryer maintenance kit contains all of the parts that are commonly defective when the dryer is noisy. Search for your model number to find the maintenance kit applicable to your dryer.

The dryer blower wheel is the component that circulates the air through the dryer drum. If the blower wheel is damaged or loose on the motor shaft, or there is an obstruction in the blower housing, you may hear a scraping, rattling, or vibrating noise.

The drum bearing supports the rear of the dryer drum. Over time, the drum bearing wears out. If the drum bearing is worn out, the dryer may make noise. To determine if the drum bearing is at fault, remove the dryer belt and try turning the drum by hand. If the drum rotates freely, it is unlikely that the drum bearing is worn out. If the drum makes squealing or grinding sounds when turned and/or is hard to turn, replace the drum bearing.

The drum glides (also called slides) might be worn out. The drum glides are small plastic pieces that support the front of the dryer drum. As the drum rotates, it slides on these plastic pieces. Over time, the drum glides wear out. If the drum glides are worn out, the dryer will make noise. To determine if the drum glides are worn out, inspect them for wear. If one or more glides are worn out, replace all of the glides as a set.

Check the drum for items that may have fallen out of pockets. Screws, nails, and coins are common items that will make noise if they are loose in the dryer. For scraping noises also look for items caught between the front and rear drum seal and bulkhead.

A felt seal is used to allow the dryer drum to rotate smoothly and to dampen noise while the dryer is operating. The seal may be installed around the front or back drum rim or along the front or back bulkhead the drum rests on. If the felt seal becomes worn, the dryer may begin making a loud scraping or grinding noise. You can replace a damaged or worn felt seal with a new one to resolve the issue. This will require fully removing the old seal, scraping off the old adhesive, applying new adhesive followed by the seal, and allowing about twenty minutes for the adhesive to dry before reassembling the dryer. It may be easier to install a new drum or bulkhead that already has the felt seal attached.

Inspect the idler pulley for signs of wear. If the idler pulley is worn or damaged, we recommend replacing the drive belt in addition to replacing the idler pulley.

Inspect the idler assembly for signs of wear. If the idler assembly is worn or damaged, we recommend replacing the drive belt in addition to replacing the idler assembly.