My Dryer Is Making a Loud Noise. When Should I Panic?

Basic Dryer Noise Troubleshooting

Before we cover component failures that cause the different types of dryer noises, try these basic troubleshooting tips that can help eliminate some noises.

• Don’t overload the dryer. If you have a heavy load in the dryer, remove some of the items. If you’re drying a heavy comforter or quilt, you may need to remove that item and dry it at a local laundromat or washateria.
• Check for foreign objects in the load. Heavy foreign objects such as knives or tools can cause loud thumping noise. Coins can cause loud rattling noises as the load tumbles. Remove any foreign objects and check pockets of garments before washing and drying garments.
• Adjust the leveling legs if the dryer thumps and you can detect movement as you push down on diagonally opposing corners of the dryer cabinet. Extend a leveling leg on one of the corners that rocks so that all 4 dryer feet are firmly on the floor and you detect no rocking when pressing down on opposing corners of the dryer cabinet.

If these basic and simple troubleshooting tips don’t help eliminate the dryer noise, then read on to get help with finding and resolving more complicated problems causing loud dryer noises.

Grinding Noise: Metal-on-Metal Sounds in Your Dryer

A grinding noise in your dryer typically means parts inside are wearing out or coming loose. The sound of metal scraping against metal signals the need for immediate attention.

Common Causes of Dryer Grinding Noise

Worn Glides or Drum Bearings

Dryer drum glides or bearings help the drum spin smoothly. When these components wear out, the metal-to-metal contact often causes a grinding noise.

Inspect the edges of the drum where it contacts the front panel. If the glides or bearings appear worn or damaged, replace them as shown in this DIY repair video:

If you’re not confident that you can safely disassemble the dryer and replace these components on your own, schedule dryer repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the problem.

Bad Dryer Ball Hitch

Frigidaire, Electrolux and some GE and Kenmore dryers use a ball hitch mechanism to support the back of the dryer drum as it spins during the cycle. When the plastic bearing on this component wears out, the dryer will typically make a grinding noise.

Here’s an image that shows that ball hitch component:

To access and replace that part, you’ll need to unplug the dryer, remove the top panel, control console, front dryer panel and other dryer parts and components. Although an advanced appliance DIY repair enthusiast would likely be able to complete this repair, we recommend that you have a service technician install a new dryer ball hitch kit if you have this type of dryer and hear grinding noise from the back of the dryer drum.

Worn Drum Support Rollers

The drum rollers support the dryer drum as it spins. Over time, these rollers can wear out, and they won’t continue to support the dryer drum properly so you may begin hearing grinding or scraping noise.

Worn drum support rollers may also cause the drum glides and drum bearing to deteriorate and fail so you may need to replace multiple parts to fix a dryer grinding noise when it’s caused by worn support rollers.

Here’s a DIY repair video that shows how to safely access, check and replace drum rollers in your clothes dryer:

These expert tips should help you find and fix the cause of grinding noises in your dryer. Don’t hesitate to have a service technician fix the dryer if you’re unable to repair the problem on your own.

Squealing Noise: High-Pitched Screeches

Squealing noises often signal a problem with rotating parts that aren’t properly lubricated, are worn out or have become misaligned.

Common Causes of Dryer Squealing and Screeching Noises

Noisy Drum Support Rollers

The drum rollers support the dryer drum as it spins. Over time, these rollers can wear out, causing them to squeak.

The video in the section above shows how to access and replace drum support rollers.

Spin the drum support rollers by hand. If a roller doesn’t rotate smoothly and squeaks when you spin it, replace that support roller.

Damaged Idler Pulley

The idler pulley keeps tension on the dryer belt. When the pulley’s bearing wears out, it creates a loud squealing noise that can escalate with continued use.

Unplug the dryer and access the idler pulley by removing the dryer’s front panel. Manually spin the pulley. A noisy or wobbly pulley needs replacing.

Here’s a YouTube video that shows how to access and replace the idler pulley in a common type of dryer:

Replace the idler pulley if it’s worn out and squealing.

Dryer Belt Problems

A loose or fraying dryer belt can also make your dryer squeak. The belt wraps around the drum and motor, helping the drum rotate. Over time, the drive belt can wear out, stretch, fray or crack, leading to noise.

Unplug the dryer and lift the top panel to inspect the belt for signs of wear. Replace the belt if it looks frayed, worn or damaged.

Here’s a video that shows how to replace the dryer drive belt in a common type of clothes dryer:

Worn Drive Motor Bearings

Although less common, a squeaky motor could be the root of the problem.

Dryer motors have internal bearings that can wear out over time and begin to squeak or squeal.

Although the dryer will typically keep running for several weeks with a worn bearing, eventually motor will lock up or overheat and quit running because of the worn out bearing.

If you didn’t find the cause of the squealing noise by checking the above components and the sound is coming from the drive motor, you’ll likely need to replace the motor.

Replacing the drive motor is more complicated than the other repairs described above. The video below shows how to replace the motor but if you’re not confident that you can replace that part on your own, schedule dryer repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to replace the motor.

How to replace a dryer drive motor:

Thumping Noise

Thumping often occurs when the dryer drum wobbles or rotates unevenly. This noise can worsen over time, so don’t ignore it.

If the basic troubleshooting tips at the top of this article such as reducing load size, removing foreign objects from garment pockets and stabilizing the dryer leveling legs don’t resolve a dryer thumping noise, then one or more of the drum support rollers may have flat spot causing the thumping noise. This type of thumping noise will sound fast as the flat spot of the roller hits the drum frequently as the drum rotates.

If you hear this type of thumping noise, access the drum rollers as shown in the video provided in the above section and replace any drum rollers with flat spots to eliminate the thumping noise.

Preventing Noisy Dryer Problems

Taking preventive measures saves you time and money in the long run by helping prevent dryer failures – including those that cause noise.

• Clean and Inspect the Dryer Regularly: Wipe down the drum, check for loose parts, and clean the lint screen filter after every load.
• Balance Dryer Loads: Avoid overloading the dryer or running it with unbalanced loads to prevent uneven wear. Dry oversized items at a local washateria.
• Use Manufacturer-Approved Parts: When replacing dryer components, stick with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts designed for your dryer brand and model.
• Schedule Yearly Professional Maintenance: Have a service technician perform dryer maintenance, cleaning and inspections every year to keep your dryer in top shape and working safely. The technician will inspect all components including the belt, rollers, glides, and idler pulley. The tech will be able to see potential problems that could begin making noise and causing failures. The technician will make adjustments or recommend repairs that will resolve issues before they become major dryer failures.

A loud dryer shouldn’t interrupt your household routine. By pinpointing the source of the noise and following these steps, you’ll restore your dryer’s quiet efficiency in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my dryer sound like its grinding?

Grinding noise can be caused by overloading the dryer. If you’re attempting to dry an unusually large load, pull some garments out to reduce the load. If you’re trying to dry a large item such as a comforter or quilt, pull that item out and dry it at a laundromat instead. Grinding noise can also be caused by worn drum glides or a damaged drum bearing. Examine and replace those components if needed. Other failures that could cause grinding noise in your dryer include: worn drum support rollers or a bad dryer ball hitch (in Frigidaire, Electrolux and some Kenmore and GE brand dryers).

Can I still use my dryer if it's making a loud noise?

No. Stop the dryer, unplug the power cord then find and fix the cause of the noise before using the dryer. Some noise problems are easy to find while more complicated failures will require service by an appliance repair technician.

How much does it cost to replace a dryer drum bearing?

The replacement drum bearing will typically cost between $20 and $80 for most dryers. If you replace the part yourself, the repair will only set you back the cost of the part. If you need to have a service technician complete the repair, you can expect to pay between $150 and $250 to replace a dryer drum bearing in most dryers.

Is it worth repairing a dryer?

In many situations, it is worth repairing a dryer. If you can complete a repair on your own, you’ll only need to pay the cost of the replacement part and dryer parts often aren’t very expensive (except for control boards and control panels). Almost all minor dryer repairs are worth making unless the dryer is over 10 years old. For major repairs that will cost over $300, you’re typically better off replacing the dryer if a repair will cost more than ½ the price of a replacement dryer and the dryer is over 7 years old. Making expensive repairs on an older dryer often doesn’t make sense because additional parts could soon wear out or fail.