What to Do if the Dryer is Squeaking?
Technically Reviewed by Oleg Chudnovski, CEO on Mar 19, 2024 | Written by Olga Larina
Dryers are one of the most essential home appliances. Since they have appeared, we stopped worrying about the weather. We can wash and dry our clothes and many other things in any season. Thus, we feel lost when this appliance doesn’t work correctly. A broken dryer can be the most annoying thing in your home, and you probably want to know how to stop it as soon as possible.
If you’re tired of that irritating squeaking noise from your dryer, you’ve come to the right place. First and foremost, we will provide you with brief basic instructions. You should start by checking the drum support rollers, idler pulley, and drive belt for wear or damage. Lubricate or replace these parts as necessary. Moreover, look for wear indicators on the drum glides or seals and repair them as necessary. Finally, ensure the dryer is level and properly balanced to minimize vibrations that may cause squeaking.
We will also share our professional experience of many repairs of the last 18+ years with you. Read our article to learn more about the reasons why the dryer is squeaking and what you can do about it.
Fix Appliances CA has approximately two decades of experience in dryer repair of all types and models and brands. And no matter where you live, our professional technicians are prepared to provide dryer repair services in Toronto, Barrie, Oshawa, Mississauga, Hamilton and other GTA areas that we are service.
Upon our experience, our dryer technicians prepared the main troubleshooting tips for our customers. But don’t forget that electric dryers and gas dryers require special and specific knowledge and skills to solve any issues. Our repairmen have all the necessary certificates for fixing electric appliances and updated TSSA certificates to work with gas appliances.
Thus, if a dryer making a loud noise such as squeaking is enough to drive anyone insane! So what is the cause of a squeaky dryer, and how to fix it? Let’s look at the reasons and ways of solving these issues more precisely.
Causes Of A Dryer Squeaking While Running
A squeaky dryer can result from various issues, including a loose idler, a worn-out or damaged dryer belt, an aged motor, and glide bearings showing signs of wear or being absent. The dryer experts at Fix Appliances CA pay close attention to the following factors that might contribute to this annoying noise.
Dryer Belt
The dryer belt, a rubber belt encircling the dryer tub and connected to the motor, is secured tightly with wires and mounting screws. If the belt becomes loose, it is likely the cause of the squeaky dryer noise, necessitating a replacement.
Idler Pulley
The idler pulley, linking the motor to the dryer belt, is a moving wheel that may loosen or break over time. Prolonged use of the idler pulley can lead to instability, resulting in a squealing sound – a possible source of the bothersome dryer noise you’re experiencing.
Glide Bearing
As the dryer tub is in constant motion during operation, glide bearings, located on the tub’s edges, play a crucial role. These bearings act as buffers, preventing metal-on-plastic friction and potential squeaky dryer sounds. If these simple plastic or fabric tabs show wear, they can be easily replaced.
How To Fix A Squeaky Dryer
Even if you find the cause of your dryer squeaking while running, you still need to find the parts for replacement and then install them, which can be difficult and time-consuming. Of course, only dryer professionals can define the problem at ease and fix your electric or gas dryer appliance. We want to give a piece of advice: trust your home appliance to professionals at Fix Appliances CA, who visit your place and fix the problem on a same-day basis after calling 888-242-0777 or submitting a request online.
Dryer Belt
After lifting the lid of the dryer, you should easily spot the rubber dryer belt that encircles the dryer tub. This belt is linked to the motor and should be securely fastened against the tub. If the belt is found to be loose, a replacement is necessary. Loosen the mounting screws and detach the wires holding the belt to facilitate its removal. Introduce a new belt into the same position on the wires and secure it with the mounting screws, ensuring a snug fit around the dryer tub.
Idler Pulley
The idler pulley is in direct contact with the dryer belt and motor, so it takes a lot of strain. The strain of the movement of the dryer can make the idler pulley broken or loose. If loose, use your screwdriver to tighten it back to its bracket. If you spin the wheel and the squeak sounds from inside the wheel, you want to consider replacing the part.
Glide Bearings
Glide bearings are the tabs of fabric or plastic that are on the edge of the dryer drum. If these are missing or worn down so much that the drum can bang up against the side of the dryer, it is time to think about replacement. The tabs can be detached from the edge of the drum. However, you need to pull the entire tub of the dryer out. Once out of the machine body, the tub should be placed on the ground. Using a plier, you can detach the bearings from their holes.
What Are The Steps For Finding The Causes Of A Squeaky Dryer?
The steps for diagnosing a squeaky dryer can be difficult to tackle, so we are here to give you some of the best professional knowledge and steps on how to find and fix a squeaky dryer.
Step #1: Get Your Tools Together
The tools for this job are simple. You will need a screwdriver to access the inside of the dryer. Also, you may want a clamp or pliers to test certain components on or around the motor. Finally, you may need a crescent wrench to remove parts. To fix the most common problems with your dryer, you will need:
- A Phillips head screwdriver
- A pair of pliers
- A few clamps
- A crescent wrench
- A spackle knife
Step #2: Unplug The Dryer From The Power Source
To open up and look at why a dryer is making squeaking noises, you will need to unplug it from the outlet in the wall safely. We recommend using rubber work gloves for this operation.
Step #3: Carefully Move The Dryer To An Open Space
You will want to move the dryer away from the wall to allow full access to remove the lid. Fixing a squeaky dryer and replacing any broken parts will also require more space to work.
Step #4: Open The Top of The Dryer, Remove The Lint Trap And Lid
Using the spackle knife, a wedge opens the lid of the dryer. Two clips hold the lid in place that need to be pushed to one side by the spackle knife. Once open, the lid and lint rap may be able to be removed with a screwdriver for easier access to the components in the dryer.
Step #5: Diagnose The Squealing by Looking for Certain Damages or Missing Parts
Once inside the dryer’s body, you want to check several possible causes of making your dryer squeak while running.
Why You Should Choose FIX Appliances CA For Your Service Needs
We know it can be a hassle not to be able to use your appliances when you need them. And fixing a dryer requires moving a large machine, testing electrical components, and risking further damage to the inside of the dryer.
The last thing you want is to inadvertently harm the components of your dryer or incorrectly identify its issues. To ensure top-notch service for your dryer repair and troubleshooting needs, enlist the expertise of professionals who can efficiently handle the job.
At FIX Appliances CA, we boast a team of technicians certified by the factory, equipped to provide effective solutions for fixing a squeaky dryer. With two decades of experience in appliance repairs, we cater to both residential and commercial concerns, having successfully tackled a diverse range of issues.
Here are just a few reasons why our satisfied customers recommend us to their friends:
- Flexible scheduling. We always work with our customers to ensure our work time works for their schedules.
- Highly qualified technicians. Our technicians go through the rigorous TSSA repair certification and have years of experience under their belts.
- Free service calls. Our service calls, estimates, and advice are all free of charge.
- High-quality dryer parts. Our company uses only the most high-quality dryer parts to ensure that you get the best fix for your money and have a dryer that can function perfectly for years.
For all your residential and commercial appliance repairs, visit our contact page or call us to schedule a free diagnostic and service estimate!
Date of page creation: May 20, 2020
Page update date: March 19, 2024
What Our Customers Say About Us
"Our dryer stopped working. The tech not only was able to fix it, he explained to me exactly what to do if it happens again and how to run the self diagnostics. A ton of information, a fixed dryer, and friendly help at a reasonable price."
Dina was wonderful. He finished the work two days before he said he would. He cleaned after himself. And he liked my dog!
