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Fix That Racket! How to Repair a Noisy Dryer
Is your clothes dryer making a loud noise that's turning your peaceful home into a noisy laundromat? We've got your back. This guide will walk you through the steps on how to fix a noisy dryer and bring serenity back to your laundry room.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Loud noises in your dryer are often caused by worn components such as the drive belt, idler pulley or support roller.
- Follow our expert tips to find and fix the cause of dryer noise.
- When you’re not able to fix a noise problem yourself, schedule a Sears Home Services technician to repair your dryer.
Deciphering Dryer Noises: The First Step on How to Fix a Noisy Dryer
Our trusty dryers are household essentials, but they do sometimes make strange and concerning noises. Learning to identify these sounds and their causes will put you on the fast track to fix your noisy dryer.
The ABC's of Dryer Noises and What They Mean:
- Squeaking or squealing: These sounds often indicate an issue with the dryer's belt or rollers, either from worn-out parts or lack of lubrication.
- Thumping or banging: If your clothes dryer is making a loud noise like this, it could be due to an unbalanced load or loose components such as drum support rollers or the blower wheel.
- __Rattling or grinding: This might be caused by loose items in the dryer drum or by loose screws or deteriorated parts creating a dryer making grinding noise.
Fixing Common Dryer Noises
Follow this expert advice to fix a noisy dryer. When you’re unable to repair the problem yourself, schedule repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix your dryer.
Squeaking or Squealing
Inspect the dryer belt and rollers for damage or wear. A worn idler pulley will also make a squealing noise so check that component for wear. Swap out any worn parts and lubricate the rollers if necessary.
Follow the steps in this DIY repair video to replace the drive belt in a common type of clothes dryer:
Using the steps to disassemble the dryer in the above video will also give you access to the drum rollers and idler pulley.
Thumping or Banging
Redistribute an unbalanced load evenly and tighten or replace any loose components. A thumping noise in your dryer can also be caused by a drum roller that is flat on one side because the dryer sat idle for a long period of time.
Follow the steps in this video to replace a bad drum support roller:
Rattling or Grinding Noise
Always check pockets for loose items before drying clothes to prevent these from causing noise. Tighten any loose screws and replace worn-out parts.
Grinding noise in a dryer can be caused by worn drum glide bearings. Follow the steps in one of the videos provided above to remove the drum and check the glide bearings for wear and replace them if necessary.
Keep Your Dryer in Top Shape to Prevent it from Making Loud Noise
Regular upkeep can significantly reduce noise and improve your dryer's performance. Here's how to keep your dryer running smoothly and quietly:
- Always clean the lint screen after each use to prevent airflow restriction that can lead to noise. Regularly vacuum the lint trap housing and exhaust vent to prevent lint build-up.
- Examine components like belts, rollers, and bearings for signs of wear and tear, replacing them as needed. Follow the DIY procedures in our Sears PartsDirect Dryer Repair Help section to replace worn parts or schedule repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician replace worn dryer parts.
- Lubricate moving parts like the motor bearings and pulleys with the manufacturer-recommended lubricant. Ensure the dryer is level and stable on the floor to prevent excessive vibrations and noise.
Regular professional maintenance will help you avoid dryer noise and other failures. Schedule Sears Home Services Clean & Maintain Service for your laundry appliances yearly to keep them in top shape and running quietly. Annual professional maintenance will also help your appliances last longer.
Schedule your dryer repair now!
Count on our knowledgeable technicians to provide thorough dryer repairs, ensuring your appliance operates at peak performance for years to come.
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Glossary Terms
A gas dryer is a laundry appliance that uses natural gas or propane to generate heat to dry clothes.
A furnace vent is a critical component of a home's heating system that safely expels exhaust gases produced by the furnace to the outside of the home, ensuring efficient operation and maintaining indoor air quality.
A garage door extension spring is a type of spring mechanism that assists in opening and closing a garage door by extending and contracting, providing the necessary force to balance and move the door safely.
A garage door spring is a critical component that counterbalances the weight of a garage door, enabling it to open and close with reduced force, thus ensuring smooth and safe operation.
Common Repair Dryer Symptoms
The most common reasons your Admiral dryer has no heat are an open heating element, failed thermal cut-off fuse or a faulty thermal fuse.
The most common reasons your Admiral dryer has no power are a defective electronic control board, defective power supply board or an open heating element.
The most common reasons your Admiral dryer is not drying are a clogged vent tube, open heating element or a bad wire connector.
The most common reasons your Admiral dryer is not spinning are a broken drum belt, open heating element or a worn drum bearing.
The most common reasons your Admiral dryer is not starting are a faulty thermal fuse, failed door switch or a broken drum belt.
The most common reasons your Admiral dryer is not turning on are a defective electronic control board, defective power supply board or an open heating element.