Dryer Squeaking or Making a Loud Noise: What It Means

Most dryer noise comes from the load, not the dryer: coins, zippers, shoes or a bunched-up sheet. A dryer that isn't level is the next most common cause. If the noise is a steady squeal, scrape or grind that happens even with a normal load, a worn part such as the idler pulley, drum rollers, drum glides, belt or motor is the usual culprit, and that's a job for a technician.

Match the sound to the likely cause

Manufacturers sort dryer noises by type, and the type tells you a lot. Here's how Whirlpool, Samsung, LG and Frigidaire describe the common ones.

What you can check safely yourself

Stop the dryer and unplug it before you reach into the drum, check the seams or pull it away from the wall. If you have a gas dryer and you smell gas at any point, stop. Leave the house without flipping switches, and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.

1. Empty the drum and check the seams

Whirlpool says scraping usually comes from coins, pins, screws or nails stuck in the seam where the drum meets the front or rear of the cabinet. Run your hand carefully along that edge and pull out anything you find. Frigidaire suggests running the dryer empty: if the noise goes away, the clothes were causing it.

2. Fix the load

Samsung says squealing, squeaking or grinding usually means the load is too heavy. Stop the cycle and take items out, or run heavy items through an extra washer spin first. LG and Frigidaire both suggest fastening zippers and buckles and turning clothes inside out. Whirlpool says sheets and bedspreads balled up together cause thumping, and that tennis shoes belong on a drying rack, not tumbling in the drum.

3. Level the dryer

Whirlpool says pounding usually comes from an uneven floor or a missing leg. Replace any missing legs and level the dryer side to side and front to back so all four feet touch the floor. Samsung recommends checking with a carpenter's level and adjusting the feet. Leveling matters for drying too, since the moisture sensors on many models need clothes to tumble evenly.

4. Check the vent and the space around the dryer

Samsung says rattling can come from a loose exhaust vent or from the vent rubbing against the power cord. Whirlpool adds items resting on top of the dryer, a cluttered pedestal drawer, and a washer that vibrates against the dryer during its spin. Leave a little space between the two machines. While you're behind the dryer, make sure the duct is metal and not crushed. Our guide to a clogged dryer vent explains why that matters.

Sounds that are normal

Not every noise is a problem. Whirlpool says new rubber drum rollers can make noise for the first few cycles until they wear to the drum's shape. Whirlpool and Frigidaire both say a dryer that sat unused can thump for the first few minutes while the rollers lose their flat spots. Samsung says a hum or buzz is the blower pulling air out of the dryer. LG says a brief high-pitched sound when the drum starts or changes direction is the belt tightening, and that some roller thumping with an uneven load is normal. On a gas dryer, Whirlpool says the valve clicking on several times a cycle is expected.

Parts that usually cause squeaks and grinding

If the noise keeps going with an empty or normal-sized load, a part is likely worn. Samsung's rule of thumb: if it squeals with a normal load of about four wet towels, request service. LG says a sharp metallic scraping, squealing or screeching through the whole cycle can mean a loose drum shaft, hardened lubricant, or worn rollers or belt.

Idler pulley

The idler pulley keeps tension on the drive belt. Whirlpool says a failing one can squeal or rattle.

Drum rollers

Rollers support the drum as it turns. Whirlpool and Maytag both say a loud rumbling can mean worn rollers, and that they're usually replaced as a set.

Drum glides, slides or pads

Whirlpool explains that slides, glides or pads inside the cabinet help support the drum as it turns. A loud sound can mean they're worn, and they tend to wear out together, so a technician will usually replace them as a group.

Drive belt

A worn or glazed belt can squeal or slip. If the belt breaks, the drum stops turning. Our guide to a dryer not spinning or tumbling covers that next stage.

Drive motor and blower

Maytag says a failing drive motor can make a loud noise or a squeal, or stop mid-cycle. Whirlpool says high-pitched noise or heavy vibration from the blower, along with longer drying times, can mean the blower needs replacing. A technician can isolate the motor and blower from the drum to tell which part is making the noise.

When to stop DIY and call a pro

• The squeal, scrape or grind happens with an empty or normal load.
• The noise is new and getting louder.
• The drum turns slowly, stops, or feels stiff by hand.
• You smell something hot or burning. Stop the dryer and read our guide on a dryer that smells like burning.
• It's a gas dryer and the fix means moving it or opening the cabinet.

Replacing rollers, glides, a belt or a pulley means taking the cabinet apart, and it's easy to misroute a belt or pinch a wire. A local dryer repair technician can usually find the source in one visit. Brand-specific repair companies are listed on pages like Whirlpool dryer repair and Samsung dryer repair.

What noise repairs usually cost

Published cost guides put the common noise repairs in roughly these ranges:

Angi and Fixr both put a technician visit at about $50 to $80. Our dryer repair cost guide covers other parts. If the dryer is older and needs a motor, compare the quote against a new dryer. Angi suggests replacing when a repair costs more than about half the price of a new one. See how long dryers last for help with that call.

Finding help near you

Search repair companies by state on our states page, or start with a city such as Los Angeles.