Fix That Racket! How to Repair a Noisy 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.