Why Is My Dryer Squeaking: How To Fix A Dryer Making Loud Noise

Dryers make life easy for house moms but at the same time they cause problems. Often you have questions in your mind why is my dryer squeaking?

The most common cause of a noisy dryer is worn-out rear drum mounting bearings or a worn-out tub support roller. These can be fixed with nothing more than some grease, but other problems require replacement parts such as the blower squirrel cage bearings which would need an entirely new motor assembly kit. 

Another issue might be unseated belt tensioners in your dryer drum housing which make a loud noise when they rub against your clothe’s edges as they tumble dry.

In this guide, we will talk about different ways to fix a squeaky dryer.

Why Is My Dryer Squeaking- Easy DIY Fixes?

Below are some of the most common causes for a dryer to be making an unusual noise. So let get started:

1. Worn-Out or Unlubricated Rollers

The noise in a dryer happens when the crease on the rollers is worn. 

The more heavily you use your dryer, the quicker this problem will happen. 

The machine can either make squeaking noises from the back or front of it.

 Noise coming from the back is due to wear and tear caused by rolling drums across the poorly fitted rear drum.

Sometimes the ball bearings stop working. When this happens, it is hard to glide over the floor. If this is happening, replace the rollers.

Rollers are cheap, but they can still break. 

If the rollers have not broken and are just making a sound, then you need to lubricate them with WD-40 or any other high-quality lubricant.

Proper safety precautions should be taken before attempting any repair. 

Before unplugging the machine, move it away from the wall to protect against electrical dangers. 

Recommended repairs can only take place when the dryer is no longer in contact with a power source.

Next, remove the lint screen. Open the top panel and disconnect the wire harness plug. Remove the screws at the top of the top panel to remove it. 

Then, remove a belt and a drum to access rollers.

You do not need to remove the dryer from the wall for these repairs.

2. Damaged Dryer Belt

For squeaks coming from the top, it is typically a belt issue. 

The Dryer belt is a thin rubber string that attaches the drum to the motor. 

When the motor rotates on its axis, this movement causes impulse rotation of the pulley and subsequently makes movement with respect to both sides of the same cord.

One of the reasons why a dryer squeaks is because the belt wears out. 

The belt can also loosen, which will reduce efficiency and cause it to make an annoying noise. 

Replacing this part is easy as all you need to do is take out your old one and replace it with a new one.

It is very important that you match your belt to the correct model. 

To access the dryer belt, remove the lint trap and unscrew the base lid from the frame. 

Run a putty knife along the top and flip it open by pushing down on one of four tabs. 

Unscrew screws in the front panel and pull the harness plug for easy access to the dryer belt make sure you have the replacement part handy before installing it.

3. Worn out Teflon Strips

One of the most common reasons dryers squeak is because their Teflon strips are worn out. 

These strips sit on top of the dryer drum and provide a smooth surface for clothes to glide over during their rotation.

To test if this could be your problem, you can go ahead and shake your dryer by holding it from one side.

If there is any noise or unsteady movement coming from inside then that’s an indication that these components need replacement.

It’s important to check the rollers of the dryer regularly too since Teflon wears out faster than the rollers do. 

If you neglect to replace your strip periodically, this will lead to further damage and more costly repairs down the line.

To replace the Teflon strips, you can go to a dryer repair store and buy new ones.

Alternatively, if you have any old dishtowels or washcloths handy then they could be used as replacements for these strips too.

As always safety comes first so before starting work on your dryer make sure that it is unplugged from the power source and cool down entirely before proceeding.

4. Wiggling Idler Pulley

The dryer idler pulley is responsible for holding the dryer drum in place. 

If this gets loose, clothes will not be able to go round smoothly, and squeak sounds may emanate from the dryers

To fix this problem you can replace your dryer belt or tighten up its tension by turning a screw-on top of it with an Allen key. 

The Idler Pulley is easy to replace and just requires you to get the right fit for your machine.

This should do the trick. Be sure to clean off any dirt first before making any adjustments so that everything works fine again!

Also, Disconnect the wire harness plug before removing the drive belt to reveal the pulley.

If these problems persist even after performing these tasks then there’s always professional help available too if need be. 

Drying out wet laundry indoors also helps prevent mold growth which could lead to further complications down the line – just make sure you dry them out thoroughly before storing them in a dry place.

5. Uneven Legs

If it is uneven on the floor, the legs could be causing noise when running. 

You can use a leveling beam to see if it’s level and install carpet padding or puttied below legs.

Place the bean on top of the machine and see whether it rocks in one direction. 

Adjusting these legs can be done easily, but you will need professional help if your dryer does not have this feature.

Most modern dryer units have adjustable legs. You can raise and lower them easily. 

Even If they’re not adjustable then just put something under them so there is no weight-bearing pressure in one spot which should stop squeaking sounds from happening, 

but please note that this solution may result in other problems.

Do not forget that the floor may be uneven. It is best to move it to where the floor is flat. 

You can use anything from an old towel to a thin carton on the ground to make it flat.

6. Damaged Motor

One of the most common reasons why dryers squeak is due to a damaged motor.

To see if the motor is broken, you can listen from the bottom of the dryer. 

If it is where the noise is coming from, then it might be your problem.

A dryer’s motor is responsible for running the dryer smoothly and quietly, so if it has been exposed to excessive heat or friction, 

this might cause damage that may lead to squeaks as well. 

Make sure you are careful when using your dryer, avoid exposing it to too much heat or overloading it with clothes during each drying cycle.

The motor is not easy to replace, so it’s more economical to get a new unit than to fix the old one. 

If you have had your unit for some time, start looking at replacement models if the noise can’t be tolerated.

A good dryer should work flawlessly for years. 

If you notice that a new machine is constantly squeaking, it could be due to the manufacturer’s defect or natural wear and tear. 

Regardless of the reason, if your unit is still covered by warranty, you should get it replaced.

Common noises from a dryer

A dryer could make a variety of noises. Initially, you may notice that it is actually using energy and turning an element (clockwise) to keep heat in the drum. 

You’ll also hear clothes rolling around and your hoses when they are empty, 

but other than those fairly normal sounds some things might seem different if you use your machine all the time and pay attention.

Below is a list of unusual noises with explanations about what causes them.

If the noise happens gradually then there’s probably nothing wrong with your dryer or anything to worry about:

Squeaking dryer noise

When the dryer makes a noise, it is not good. When you hear a squeaking sound, then there is something wrong with the machine. 

Usually, this means that something is rubbing against another part of the machine. 

For example, if your belt slips out of place when the drums are spinning, then this could cause a squeak. 

A part called an idler pulley can stop this from happening and make sure that nothing rubs against anything else.

Over time, this pulley can become worn. It is under tension all the time. 

The first sign that it is wearing out is when the drum moves but makes squeaking noise while it does so. 

If more damage has occurred, then the drum won’t move at all or will just make small movements. 

But this doesn’t always mean that there’s something wrong with the pulley because sometimes there might be another problem causing this movement too.

Diagnosing a problem with an idler pulley is consistent because it can be easily accessed from the front panel. 

If you’ve diagnosed this as a problem, then your next step should be to replace it.

Squealing dryer noise

A squeaking dryer can be mistaken for a squealing dryer, but they usually occur at different times. 

A squeaky dryer is an intermittent noise and will sound like it comes on and off sporadically. 

On the other hand, a squeal is a consistent noise that does not go away.

In either case, both are signs of wear and tear that need to be addressed before it worsens. 

For example: if you hear a weekly or monthly squeak (instead of momentary) while drying clothes; 

this might mean your drive belt needs replacement or some lubrication for better performance.

The dryers have two belts. One belt is the drive belt, and the other is called an idler pulley. 

The drive belt will wear out first, and it can also crack because it is made of rubber. 

If this happens, you may need to replace it but sometimes you may just need to tighten it up a little bit with tools. 

But if Squealing happens too then this means that something else might be wrong with your dryer like a damaged motor or bad bearings. 

To find out what’s wrong, open up the panel and spin the drum because if the noise continues then there’s a problem with either your motor or your bearing.

 otherwise, there’s probably just something loose on the inside of the machine that needs to be tightened.

If you think it’s the motor, then you should call a professional. They may have access to the right part and will be able to install it for you.

Thumping dryer

A dryer that thumps can be due to a few different reasons. 

As with most appliances, dryers need some level of maintenance and cleaning in order for them to work at their best. 

A dryer might sometimes “thump” because the lint filter is clogged up or needs replacement; 

this will cause it to run longer than normal so as to dry out all the clothes inside.

If you think your dryer’s drum may not be sitting flush against the rest of the machine,

 then you should check if anything has fallen down into its support bearing or if something got lodged under it when installing new flooring (which could have caused damage). 

If nothing seems to obstruct and yet still there are loud thumping noises coming from your dryer,  then it might just be dryer drums slowly wearing out and need to be replaced.

To fix this problem you can replace the drum or have someone come in for a repair. 

They will either clean out your dryer’s lint filter or remove any obstructions from under the machine.

 so that the dryer is able to function correctly again and stop making noises.

Final Thoughts on Why Is My Dryer Squeaking  

Dryers are very useful and handy home appliances, but they might make a lot of noise when running.

There are many reasons why dryers may be making noises; some can easily be fixed by you while others will require professional assistance to fix the issue. 

If dryers continue to make squeaking noises, then this means that something inside the dryer is broken and needs repair. 

It might be due to worn-out rear drum mounting bearings, or a damaged blower squirrel cage bearings; 

these are just some of the reasons why dryers may be making noise.

There are many ways in which you can fix your own dryer if it starts squeaking:

 You could use WD40 on the hinges for doors or clean them with soap and water, replace oil seals around door gaskets, lubricate moving parts like rollers, etc.

Adjust tension springs by turning screws located near the belt guard assembly as long as they move smoothly without any resistance when turned clockwise (not counterclockwise) by hand,

Remove the dryer from the wall and lubricate rear drum mounting bearings and replace if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions