Why Is My Dryer So Loud? Troubleshooting Guide

Why is my dryer so noisy? The problem may arise as a result of existing wear on certain components. In the case of a fan or obstructed part that becomes loose, strange noises can result. Removing the cabinet from the machine will take care of the issue. Remove both the drum and the cymbals. Make sure you take the proper measures and utilize the appropriate equipment. It’s not easy to live with a noisy dryer. However, before you remove the dryer cabinet, make sure the unit is unplugged.

But don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. As an illustration, the dryer can make squeaking, scraping, and pounding noises, as well as rapid and rattling noises. There is an issue with each of these noises, and you need to fix it immediately.

Reasons Why The Dryer Is So Loud

Why does my dryer make so much noise? For the following reasons:

1. Drum Rollers and Axles: Squeaky or Thumping Noise

Dryer noise can be caused by worn-out rollers, one of the most typical sources. In addition to rollers, the axles on which they rotate might be damaged. There are rollers on the dryer drum that help support it as it turns in the machine. Squeaky noises are more likely when the rollers are somewhat damaged. The dryer drum makes a loud pounding noise as the bearings wear out completely.

At the back, there are a variety of dryer models, some with two rollers while others have two at each end. Because of the bearings in the rollers, the axles are susceptible to wearing out. Make sure the rollers are spinning freely as you inspect them. The axles may have been harmed as well if the rollers were entirely worn out.

Remove the dryer’s drive belt and you should be able to manually revolve the drum. Determine if the noise is coming from the rollers or the axles. The rollers should also be checked to determine whether they are damaged and whether or not they are tight. It is best to replace any roller or axle that is defective.

2. Drive Belt: Thumping Noise

A worn-out or broken drive belt is another common source of dryer noise. The dryer drum’s pulley system includes a drive belt. As a result of this, the drum will likely generate a thumping sound when the mechanism fails.

Changing the drive belt is a simple matter of unscrewing the old one and installing the new one. When you open up the dryer, look at the dryer drive belt. An idler pulley and a loop on the drive shaft are all where the drive belt is located after it’s been wrapped around the dryer drum. The drive belt should be replaced if you find belt fragments within the dryer while inspecting it.

3. Idler Pulley: Squeaky Noise

To protect the drum belt from slipping, the dryer pulley, or idler pulley, maintains stress on it to keep the drive belt running smoothly. Friction and the high rotational speeds of the idler pulley can cause wear and tear over time. A faulty idler pulley will initially generate a loud squeaking noise, but over time, it will develop a thumping or scraping noise as well.

The dryer cabinet must be removed in order to perform an idler pulley inspection. The drive belt circles the idler pulley and the motor pulley, which is where the idler pulley is positioned. As soon as you remove the drive belt from the idler pulley, you can turn the pulley manually to see whether it makes any squeaking sounds.

4. Blower Wheel: Rumbling Noise

The rear exhaust vent is where the dryer’s blower wheel eliminates moisture from the air it circulates. Lint or other debris can get caught in the blower wheel, causing it to become imbalanced, loose, or inoperable. There is a risk of a loud sound being generated if this occurs.

The blower wheel on most dryers will continue to spin even after the appliance has been shut off. As a result, shutting off the dryer and listening to see if the noise persists may help you find the source of the problem.

The blower wheel may be hidden behind the front or rear panel, depending on the model, or it may be found inside the blower wheel housing. Clamping or threading the plastic blower wheel onto the motor shaft is possible. Manually turning the blower wheel should cause the motor and drum to rotate. Replace the blower wheel if you detect a problem with it.

5. Drum Glides: Grinding Noise

The front of the dryer drum is supported by the drum slides. In most cases, these are tiny plastic bits on which the drum revolves. A grinding noise will be heard if the drum slides become worn. The drum slides can only be accessed by removing the dryer cabinet. It’s a good idea to replace them if they’re showing signs of wear. In certain models, the glides are held in place by rivets that must be drilled out, whereas in others, the screws can be removed.

6. Drum Bearing: Squealing/Grinding Noise

The rear of the dryer drum is supported by a drum bearing on some models of dryers. If the dryer has a ball and socket or sleeve bushing, the bearing might be either. Dryer’s rear drum bearing can be found behind this bearing. Squealing or grinding noises can be heard if the drum bearing is worn, as the drum will scrape against the case.

Drum bearings can be checked by dismantling the dryer’s cabinet and removing the drum’s drive belt. Squealing or grinding noises coming from the dryer drum suggest that the bearing needs to be replaced if turning the dryer drum is difficult.

7. Drive Motor: Multiple Noises

The dryer’s drum and blower wheel are rotated by the drive motor. Squealing sounds, humming sounds, and rattles can all be heard from the drive motor if the bearings need to be replaced, the switch is defective, or the motor pulley is loose.

It’s necessary to remove the dryer cabinet and drum in order to inspect the motor. You should be able to spin the drive motor to see if it is making weird noises once you have access to it. A multimeter can also be used to inspect the motor.

How To Fix A Noisy Dryer

Drum Glides or Slides

Drum glides support the drum’s front half on both sides in gas and electric dryers. Depending on the dryer manufacturer, the glides are either cork- or felt-backed and constructed of teflon, nylon, or plastic. Metal-on-metal contact causes the slides to wear out over time, resulting in a scraping sound when the drum rotates over the smooth surface.

How to inspect the drum slides of your dryer:

1. Remove the power cord from the dryer and turn it off.
2. You can locate your dryer’s drum slides by removing the cabinet. For the majority of cars, Drum glides are mounted on the front bulkhead.
3. Keep an eye out for symptoms of damage or wear on your gliding shoes.
4. You’ll need new drum slides if any of your old ones are worn out.

Drum Bearings

Here’s Where You Begin!

A bearing is used to hold the drum in various gas and electric dryers. The bearing may be a ball and socket or a shaft and sleeve bushing, depending on the dryer model. Rear wheel bearings that squeal or squeak should be changed if found to be defective.

Checking your dryer’s drum bearings is simple:

1. Check the drum for any remaining water or clothing before unplugging the dryer.
2. Turn the dryer drum by hand and pay attention to any weird noises it makes while doing so.
3. With your hands on the drum’s front edge, try to lift and transfer the drum to the dryer’s back.
4. Any time your drum moves freely in any direction, you may need to replace the bearings in your drum.

Drum Support Rollers & Shaft

The drum is supported by rollers on a number of dryer models, both gas and electric. Typically, the rollers are positioned on the rear bulkhead, however certain versions can have them on the front bulkhead. It is possible for these rollers to wear out, causing the dryer’s drum to not revolve freely, and making screaming noises or thumping noises in some circumstances. It is best to replace the entire set of drum rollers because they wear evenly.

As a first step, check the drum supports of your dryer:

1. To remove the drum from a dryer, open its cabinet and remove the drum.
2. Check the condition of your drum support rollers for evidence of damage or wear and tear.
3. You’ll need new drum support rollers if either one or both of your old ones is worn out or damaged.

Drive Belt

Here’s Where You Begin!

In both gas and electric dryers, the drum is rotated by a belt. As the belt ages, it might harden and crack, resulting in a thumping noise as the drum is turned.

How to examine the drive belt on your dryer:

1. The drum of your dryer should be empty before you turn it off.
2. Your dryer’s drive belt can be found by removing its front panel. It will be located around the drum, under the idler pulley and around the driving pulley.
3. Look for evidence of wear, such as cracks, fraying, or burning, on the drive belt.
4. A new drive belt is required if the belt is damaged.

Idler Pulley

Here’s Where You Begin!

To keep the drum belt from slipping on the drive motor pulley or drum when the dryer is full, the idler pulley is employed. It is possible that the idler pulley will fail over time because of increased friction. At first it may seem like something is creaking or creaking, but over time it may become a loud scraping or thumping sounds.

How to check the idler pulley on your dryer:

1. Disconnect and empty your dryer’s drum before removing its front panel or lower access door, whichever is applicable.
2. It is necessary to remove the drive belt before performing an idler pulley inspection in order to allow the belt to be released from tension and then moved off the pulley.
3. You should be able to easily crank the idler pulley after removing the belt. In the event you are unable to do so, you will need a new one.
4. Inspect the shaft and the idler pulley for evidence of wear or damage.
5. It is necessary to repair the idler pulley if you can’t turn it or if it is clearly broken.

Felt Drum Seal

Here’s Where You Begin!

In order to keep the dryer drum from filling up with air, the drum seals are employed to keep the drum in place between the front and back bulkheads. A felt-like material is used to make the drum seals. When the drum is turning, clothing can get caught in the gap if the seal is ripped or worn. This might result in a scraping or thumping sound, as well as shredded or black marks on the clothing being produced.

How to inspect the felt drum seal on your dryer:

1. Remove the power cord from the dryer and turn it off.
2. Remove the drum from your dryer by opening the cabinet.
3. Remove the drum and look for evidence of wear or damage to your seals.
4. Replacement felt drum seals are required if the originals are damaged or worn out. All of your seals should be replaced at the same time if your model has more than one. This is because all seals wear at about the same pace.

Blower Wheel & Housing

Here’s Where You Begin!

In gas and electric dryers, the blower wheel is used to suck air from the heating chamber, through the drum, and out the exhaust vent.. The blower wheel is often composed of plastic, and it will eventually wear out. In most cases, it’s attached to the end of the motor by a clamp or a threaded attachment. In most cases, a loud banging or roaring noise is heard when the blower wheel gets unfastened.

How to identify whether the blower wheel in your dryer is damaged:

1. The blower wheel is often located in the bottom left corner of the dryer after unplugging it.
2. It’s important to visually inspect not only the blower wheel itself but also the surrounding area for any foreign objects that may be creating the noise.
3. Remove the front panel and drum from your dryer in order to inspect the hub of the wheel.
4. Look for evidence of wear or damage on the hub. A new blower wheel is required if the hub or the wheel shows symptoms of wear or damage.

Baffle or Lifter

Here’s Where You Begin!

Your dryer uses baffles or lifters on the inside of the drum to agitate the clothing. A pounding or banging noise might be heard if a baffle is loose, and it will eventually fall apart.

Identifying problems with the dryer’s baffle:

1. Keep an eye out for any symptoms of cracking, wear, or other damage to the dryer baffle.
2. It is important to inspect the baffles to make sure there are no stray coins or metal objects caught beneath them that could create noise or damage to your clothing.
3. Replacement baffles are needed if the baffles are damaged or loose.

Motor

Here’s Where You Begin!

The motor in both gas and electric dryers drives the blower and the drum. Rattling noises, high-pitched noises, and even humming sounds can be heard when the motor is broken, and these sounds might be caused by loose pulleys, damaged bearings, or a faulty winding or switch.

With a multimeter, how do you test a dryer motor?

1. Open your dryer’s cabinet and locate the motor by disconnecting the dryer from the power supply. Your model’s drum belt or blower wheel may necessitate removing in order to access the motor.
2. Afterwards, remove the motor from the dryer by disconnecting the wires from the harness.
3. Promptly touch each of your meter’s two probes to one terminal on Rx1 mode. A reading of zero or near to zero should be displayed by your motor.
4. Place one probe on the motor’s bare metal casing and the other on each terminal one at a time to check the ground connection. This test should yield no information for you.
5. It’s time for a new motor if your current one fails one of the tests listed above.

FAQs

Is it safe to use a noisy tumble dryer?

It’s imperative that you have a professional technician inspect your dryer as soon as possible. When metal grinding against metal is ignored, it can produce abrasion in both portions of the equipment.

Why is my tumble dryer making a screaming noise?

Pulley for tension. It’s not uncommon for a faulty tension pulley to be the root of a dryer’s loud, high-pitched shrieking. A defective pulley may cause the drive belt to come loose in some cases.

Why is my tumble dryer making a weird noise?

A jammed motor, which produces a humming noise, might also be the cause of a noisy tumble dryer. A damaged fan housing or a loose fan might generate rattling noises. An uneven surface, worn drum bearings, or even the drum itself might cause a dryer to make a lot of noise when it spins.

How do I lubricate my dryer bearings?

The drying casing’s rubber-rimmed rollers and roller bearings can be found in the back. Oil each roller bearing by squeezing two to three drops onto the front and back.

Why is my dryer so loud all of a sudden?

Several of the drum rollers could be defective. There are two drum rollers on the back of most dryers, and there are two more on the front of certain dryers that support the drum. It is possible for the dryer to generate a rumbling sound when the drum rollers are worn out.

Why does dryer make loud noise?

To keep the drum stable, most dryers use a series of rollers at the front and back of the machine. These rollers can wear down over time and prevent the drum from rotating freely. It is possible that a screaming or pounding noise is caused by worn-out, fractured, or binding drum rollers.

How do I know if my dryer drum rollers are bad?

The sound of your dryer’s bearings breaking down is one of the most obvious indicators that something is wrong. Parts like this don’t go out gently. As the dryer spins, you’ll notice a steady increase in screeching. As the problem worsens and the bearings stop working, you’ll start to hear buzzing as well.

It’s A Wrap!

This is how you find out why your dryer is making such a racket: worn-out drum glides, worn-out idler pulley, worn drum bearing, faulty drive motor, imbalanced and obstructed blower wheel, worn-out wheel, and broken axle Of course, you should also follow the solutions provided for each of these issues. So you can get back to drying clothes fast and easily. For more information on how to sell your washer and dryer and where to buy a small washer and dryer, click here.