Dryer Makes Noise – Causes & Possible Solutions

Technically Reviewed by Oleg Chudnovski, CEO on Mar 04, 2025 | Written by Fix Appliances CA Editorial Contributors

In this article…

• Noise Cause #1 — Drive Belt
• Noise Cause #2 — Drum Roller
• Noise Cause #3 — Drum Roller Axle
• Noise Cause #4 — Blower Wheel
• Noise Cause #5 — Drum Bearing
• Noise Cause #6 — Baffle or Lifter
• Noise Cause #7 — Drum Slide, Glide, or Pad
• Noise Cause #8 — Idler Pulley
• Noise Cause #9 — Idler Assembly (Shaft)
• Noise Cause #10 — Drive Motor

Where is that terrible noise coming from?

A clamorous dryer isn’t merely an irritation; it could signify a substantial issue. Although numerous potential causes might necessitate the skills of a repair technician, delving into troubleshooting can mitigate downtime and potentially avert more severe complications.

If you run into a problem with the dryer making loud noises, take a look at the ten most common noisemakers:

1. Drive Belt: Inspect for any signs of wear and tear and proceed with replacement if necessary.
2. Drum Roller: Conduct a thorough examination of any damage and address it by lubricating or replacing it.
3. Drum Roller Axle: Ensure precise alignment, opting for replacement if any bending or damage is detected.
4. Blower Wheel: Take the necessary steps to clean or replace it if it’s congested or damaged.
5. Drum Bearing: Apply lubrication or replace if it shows any indication of wear.
6. Baffle or Lifter: Secure or replace if found to be loose or damaged.
7. Drum Slide, Glide, or Pad: Replace if they exhibit any wear or damage.
8. Idler Pulley: Scrutinize for signs of wear and apply lubrication or replacement as needed.
9. Idler Assembly (Shaft): Validate correct alignment, opting for replacement if misaligned or damaged.
10. Drive Motor: Thoroughly inspect for any irregularities and undertake the appropriate measures for repair or replacement as warranted.

Then contact FIX Appliances CA to answer your questions or schedule an appointment. Below, you can find more detailed information on this matter. So, why is my dryer making loud noises?

Noise Cause #1 — Drive Belt

A belt rotates the drum on both gas and electric dryers. The elongated, slender belt envelops the drum and tension pulley, propelling a motor. Unfortunately, the drive belt can desiccate with age and use, fray, and even separate, resulting in a thumping noise each time the drum revolves.

Possible Solution

• Inspect the drive belt by detaching the dryer’s front panel.
• If wear signs, such as cracking or fraying, are observed, contact FIX Appliances CA for replacement.

Noise Cause #2 — Drum Roller

Most dryers feature several rollers at the front and rear that support the drum. After prolonged use, these rollers may wear out, impeding the drum’s smooth movement. A squealing or thumping noise may suggest that one or more drum rollers have become flat, broken, or are binding.

Possible Solution

Contact a certified technician to inspect the rollers for wear. If one or more are severely worn, the entire drum rollers will be replaced to ensure they wear evenly.

Noise Cause #3 — Drum Roller Axle

The shafts holding the drum rollers at the dryer’s front and rear are known as axles. Both rollers and axles can wear out, generating a loud rumbling noise over time.

Possible Solution

Remove the belt and manually rotate the drum to check for axle wear.

A repair technician will inspect rollers and axles for wobbling, ensuring the drum spins freely. If any axle is worn, all will be replaced for smooth drum rotation.

Noise Cause #4 — Blower Wheel

Gas and electric dryers employ a blower wheel to draw air through the heating chamber, drum, and exhaust vent. Three main issues can cause a thumping or roaring noise from the blower wheel:

• Lint, small articles of clothing, and other objects can get past the lint filter and lodge in the blower wheel.
• The blower wheel came loose from the threaded shaft, or the clamp holding it in place came off.
• The plastic blower wheel wears out.

Possible Solution

• Remove the dryer vent to assess airflow; weak airflow may indicate an obstruction or wear.
• If a dryer makes weird noises, contact a repair technician. He will check for objects hitting the wheel, inspect the blower wheel for wobble, and replace it as necessary.

Noise Cause #5 — Drum Bearing

Some dryers employ a bearing to support the drum’s back. The bearing can be structured like a ball, socket, or shaft with a sleeve bushing. A squeaking or squealing noise may signify bearing wear.

Possible Solution

A technician must remove the dryer belt and manually rotate the drum to check for this issue. If the drum turns hard and produces a grinding noise, the drum bearing will be replaced.

Noise Cause #6 — Baffle or Lifter

The baffles or lifters inside the drum prevent clothes from sticking and aid in tumbling and fluffing during drying. Loose change or worn baffles can cause rattling or clumping noises, potentially damaging clothing.

Possible Solution

• Check for loose change or other objects stuck under the baffles, and remove them.
• The dryer is making a loud noise. Contact a repairman to replace loose or worn baffles or lifters.

Noise Cause #7 — Drum Slide, Glide, or Pad

Drum slides (glides) are constructed from teflon, nylon, or plastic and support the dryer’s front and sides. They feature a felt or cork backing for smooth drum rotation. As they wear out, a scraping sound may occur.

Possible Solution

Remove the dryer’s cabinet to assess worn slides (glides), then contact our dryer service technician to inspect and replace the entire set.

Noise Cause #8 — Idler Pulley

The idler pulley maintains tension on the drum belt to prevent slippage when loading the dryer. As the idler pulley wears, increased friction may cause squeaking or squealing.

Possible Solution

A technician must remove the belt to inspect the idler pulley. Any binding, wear, or wobble necessitates replacement.

Noise Cause #9 — Idler Assembly (Shaft)

Damage or wear to the idler assembly (shaft) due to issues with the idler pulley can lead to loud scraping or thumping noises.

Possible Solution

The idler assembly is accessible through the lower access panel or front of the dryer. If wear is evident, a technician can inspect the part and replace the unit along with the drive belt.

Noise Cause #10 — Drive Motor

The drive motor in gas and electric dryers powers the blower and drum. Various noises may indicate drive motor issues, such as rattling from a loose pulley, high-pitched noise from a defective bearing, or humming from a faulty motor switch.

Possible Solution

A technician should remove the drum belt or blower wheel to confirm if the motor is the culprit. Once the other components are verified as working correctly, the drive motor should be replaced.

A noisy dryer can be a symptom of a bigger problem. If you have trouble determining where the noise comes from, you can purchase a maintenance kit to fix it. It will contain all the common replacement parts needed to eliminate many noisy issues.

Pinpointing a noise problem with your dryer can be challenging. To improve our service, we offer emergency appliance repair services, such as Kenmore, Maytag, LG, Whirlpool, or authorized Samsung dryer repair, on the same day. If you have questions about dryer maintenance or appliance installation costs or require a service visit, contact our Spark Service PRO repair department at toll-free 888-242-0777 today.

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