I still remember the first time my dryer started making a terrible racket. At first, I ignored it, assuming it was just getting old. But then it got worse—squeaking, thumping, even a grinding sound at times. It was like my laundry room had turned into a rock concert.
If your dryer is making more noise than it should, don’t panic! Most of the time, it’s something you can fix yourself without calling in a repair tech. I’ve done this repair more than once, and trust me, with a few tools and a little patience, you can silence that noisy dryer like a pro. Let’s go step by step, and I’ll walk you through exactly what to do.
Step 1: Identify the Type of Noise
Before you start taking your dryer apart, let’s figure out what kind of noise it’s making. The type of sound tells you a lot about what’s wrong. Here are some common dryer noises and what they usually mean:
🔹 Squeaking or squealing – Likely worn-out drum rollers, a bad belt, or a dry idler pulley.
🔹 Thumping or banging – Probably damaged drum rollers or an unevenly loaded dryer.
🔹 Grinding or scraping – Could be a problem with the drum glides or something stuck inside the drum.
🔹 Rattling – Check for loose screws, coins, or other small objects stuck inside the dryer.
💡 Pro Tip: Run the dryer empty and listen carefully. If the noise is still there, it’s probably a mechanical issue. If it goes away, it might just be something inside the drum (like a loose button or zipper).
Step 2: Unplug the Dryer and Get Your Tools Ready
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST: Before doing anything, unplug the dryer. Dryers run on 220V power, which is no joke. You do NOT want to work on a live appliance.
🛠 Tools You’ll Need:
✅ Screwdriver (Phillips and flathead)
✅ Nut driver or socket set
✅ Putty knife (for popping off the front panel)
✅ Vacuum or shop vac (for cleaning)
✅ Replacement parts (if needed)
Once you have everything ready, let’s move on to the fun part—fixing it!
Step 3: Check and Replace the Dryer Belt (If Needed)
One of the most common reasons for a squealing or thumping noise is a worn-out dryer belt. I had this issue once, and let me tell you—replacing the belt was easier than I expected!
How to Check the Belt:
1️⃣ Remove the front panel – Use a putty knife to pop it off or unscrew it, depending on your model.
2️⃣ Look inside and locate the belt – It should be wrapped around the drum.
3️⃣ Check for wear and tear – If it looks cracked, stretched, or frayed, it’s time for a replacement.
4️⃣ Give it a gentle tug – If it feels loose or comes off easily, it’s definitely the problem.
How to Replace the Belt:
1️⃣ Remove the old belt – Take a picture of how it’s looped around the motor and idler pulley (this will help you install the new one).
2️⃣ Install the new belt – Wrap it around the drum, loop it over the idler pulley, and secure it onto the motor shaft.
3️⃣ Spin the drum by hand – Make sure the belt is sitting correctly before putting everything back together.
💡 Pro Tip: If you hear a loud “slapping” noise when your dryer runs, your belt is probably loose and slipping. A new belt should fix this immediately.
Step 4: Lubricate or Replace the Idler Pulley
The idler pulley keeps tension on the dryer belt. When it starts wearing out, it can cause a loud squealing noise.
How to Fix It:
1️⃣ Locate the idler pulley – It’s a small wheel near the motor that the belt loops around.
2️⃣ Try spinning it – If it squeaks or doesn’t turn smoothly, it needs lubrication or replacement.
3️⃣ Apply some silicone-based lubricant – This can quiet it down temporarily, but replacing it is the best fix.
4️⃣ If needed, replace the pulley – It usually just pops off with a little pressure. Install the new one and make sure it spins freely.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re replacing the belt, it’s a good idea to replace the idler pulley at the same time. They tend to wear out together.
Step 5: Check the Drum Rollers (If You Hear Thumping or Banging)
If your dryer thumps like a drum every time it runs, your drum rollers might be worn out. This happened to me once, and I thought my dryer was about to explode!
How to Fix It:
1️⃣ Remove the dryer drum – This gives you access to the rollers.
2️⃣ Check the rollers – If they don’t spin freely or are covered in lint and gunk, they need replacing.
3️⃣ Pop off the old rollers – They usually slide off the shaft.
4️⃣ Install new rollers – Slide them into place and make sure they spin smoothly.
💡 Pro Tip: If only one roller is bad, replace both—otherwise, the other one will go bad soon, and you’ll be back at it again.
Step 6: Check for Foreign Objects Inside the Drum
Sometimes, the noise isn’t mechanical at all. One time, I found a bobby pin stuck in the drum seal, causing an awful scraping noise.
What to Check:
🔹 Look inside the drum for loose buttons, zippers, or coins.
🔹 Check the drum edges and seals for foreign objects.
🔹 Spin the drum by hand—if you hear scraping, something might be lodged in there.
If you find something, remove it and test the dryer again.
Step 7: Test the Dryer
Now that you’ve checked everything, it’s time to test the dryer!
1️⃣ Reassemble everything – Put the drum, belt, and panels back in place.
2️⃣ Plug the dryer back in – Never test it while it’s disassembled.
3️⃣ Run a short cycle – Listen for any remaining noises.
4️⃣ Enjoy the silence! If the noise is gone, congratulations—you fixed it!
I know how annoying a noisy dryer can be—I’ve been there. But the good news is, most dryer noises are easy to fix with just a little troubleshooting. And the best part? You just saved yourself a costly repair bill!
So next time your dryer starts acting up, don’t ignore it—grab your tools, follow these steps, and fix it yourself. You’ve got this! 💪
