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Fix a dryer that makes noise

We'll rule out load issues, identify the noise type (squeaking, thumping, rattling), then isolate the cause—belt, idler pulley, drum rollers, or drum support—or tell you when to call a pro.

Troubleshooting · Home appliances
15–45 min
What you'll need
  • Screwdriver set (Phillips and flathead)
  • Replacement belt, idler pulley, drum rollers, or drum support rollers (if inspection shows a fault)
Step 1 of 9

Quick triage — pick your path

Quick triage — pick your path

Choose the option that matches what you see. You can jump straight to that section.

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Steps

Goal: Rule out load issues, identify the noise type, then isolate the cause—belt, idler pulley, drum rollers, or drum support—or call a pro.

  • Open the drum and remove loose items. Redistribute the load evenly. Run a cycle.
  • Noise stopped: Load was the cause. Done.
  • Noise persists: Proceed to Identify noise type.

Identify noise type

Goal: Narrow the cause by the sound you hear.

Check power and unplug

Goal: Confirm the dryer is safe to work on.

  • Verify the dryer is plugged in and the circuit breaker has not tripped. Before opening any panel, unplug the dryer. Gas dryers: shut off the gas supply at the valve behind the dryer before disassembly.
  • Good: Dryer is off and safe to work on.
  • Bad: You smell gas—evacuate immediately. Call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Do not call a technician for an active gas leak.

Squeaking path

Goal: Fix squeaking or squealing—belt, idler pulley, or drum rollers.

  • Unplug the dryer. Open the top or front panel per your model. Check your owner’s manual or search “[brand] [model] dryer belt replacement” for disassembly steps.
  • Inspect the drive belt around the drum and motor pulley. Look for cracks, glazing, or looseness. Replace if worn.
  • Check the idler pulley. It should spin freely. If it squeaks, is seized, or wobbles, replace it. Remove the belt, then the idler (usually one or two bolts). Install a matching replacement and reroute the belt.
  • Check the drum rollers. With the belt removed, spin the drum by hand. If stiff or grinding, inspect rollers for flat spots, cracks, or seized bearings. Replace any that are worn or seized.
  • Good: You found and replaced the faulty belt, idler, or roller. Reassemble and test—the dryer should run quietly.
  • Bad: All parts good but still squeaks—call a technician.

Thumping path

Goal: Fix thumping—unbalanced load or flat drum roller.

  • Confirm the load is balanced. Redistribute clothes so they are spread evenly. Run a cycle.
  • Load balanced, thumping persists: Unplug the dryer. Open the panel and remove the belt. Spin the drum by hand. If it thumps, a drum roller may have a flat spot. Inspect and replace worn rollers.
  • Good: Load was the cause, or you replaced a flat roller. The dryer runs quietly.
  • Bad: Rollers are good but still thumps—call a technician.

Rattling path

Goal: Fix rattling—drum support rollers, glides, or loose items.

  • Unplug the dryer. Inspect the drum interior for loose items—coins, buttons, small objects. Remove any debris.
  • Inspect the drum support rollers and glides. They keep the drum centered. Replace any that are cracked, worn, or missing.
  • Good: Cleared debris or replaced support parts. Reassemble and test—the dryer should run quietly.
  • Bad: All good but still rattles—call a technician.

When to get help

If you smell gas, evacuate immediately. Do not turn on lights or appliances. Call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Do not call a technician for an active gas leak—that is an emergency.

Call an appliance technician if:

  • The noise is loud grinding from the motor.
  • You have replaced the belt and rollers and the noise continues.
  • Drum removal exceeds your comfort level.
  • You are not comfortable working with electricity or gas.

Verification

  • The dryer runs quietly with no squeaking, thumping, or rattling.
  • The drum turns smoothly when you run a cycle.
  • The belt, idler pulley, or rollers (if replaced) are installed correctly and the dryer runs without unusual noise.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Rule out load Redistribute clothes; remove loose items. Test with a balanced load.
  2. Identify noise type Listen to distinguish squeaking, thumping, or rattling.
  3. Belt and idler Inspect and replace belt or idler pulley if worn or seized.
  4. Drum rollers and support Inspect and replace drum rollers or drum support rollers and glides.
  5. Call a pro Gas smell—evacuate, call 911 or gas utility from outside. Motor grinding or repeated noise—call an appliance technician.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Noise type (squeaking, thumping, rattling)
  • Whether load was balanced
  • Belt, idler pulley, and roller inspection results
  • Steps already tried

Is the noise unusual?

Normal: soft hum from motor, occasional click from the cycle. Unusual: squeaking, squealing, thumping, or rattling.

Listen to the dryer. Symptom confirmed: squeaking, squealing, thumping, or rattling—proceed to rule out load. No problem: soft hum and occasional click—normal operation.

Symptom confirmed No problem

You can change your answer later.

No action needed

The dryer makes normal sounds. No further action required.

Done

Did you rule out unbalanced load and loose items?

Redistribute clothes evenly. Remove coins, keys, zippers. Run a cycle. If the noise stops, the cause was load-related.

Open the drum. Remove loose items. Redistribute the load evenly. Run a cycle. Noise stopped: load was the cause—done. Noise persists: proceed to identify noise type.

Yes (noise persists) No (try load fix first)

You can change your answer later.

Fix load and test

Redistribute clothes so the load is balanced. Remove coins, keys, zippers, buttons. Run a cycle. If the noise stops, you are done. If it continues, return to identify the noise type.

Done

Is the noise squeaking or squealing?

Squeaking: belt, idler, or drum rollers. Thumping or rattling: different path.

Run a cycle and listen. Squeaking or squealing: belt, idler pulley, or drum rollers—see squeaking path. Thumping or rattling: proceed to next question.

Squeaking or squealing Thumping or rattling

You can change your answer later.

Is the noise thumping or rattling?

Thumping: unbalanced load or flat roller. Rattling: drum support, glides, or loose items.

Thumping: unbalanced load first; if balanced and still thumping, worn roller with flat spot—see thumping path. Rattling: drum support rollers, glides, or loose items—see rattling path.

Thumping Rattling

You can change your answer later.

Squeaking — belt, idler, or drum rollers

Unplug the dryer. Open the top or front panel per your model. Inspect the drive belt for cracks or glazing—replace if worn. Check the idler pulley—replace if seized or squeaks. Check the drum rollers—replace if worn or seized. Good: replaced faulty part, reassemble, test. Bad: all good but still squeaks—call a pro.

Done

Thumping — unbalanced load or flat roller

Confirm the load is balanced. If thumping persists, unplug the dryer and open the panel. Remove the belt. Spin the drum by hand—does it thump? If yes, a drum roller may have a flat spot. Inspect and replace worn rollers. Good: replaced flat roller, reassemble, test. Bad: rollers good but still thumps—call a pro.

Done

Rattling — drum support, glides, or loose items

Unplug the dryer. Inspect the drum interior for loose items (coins, buttons). Check drum support rollers and glides for cracks or wear. Replace any that are broken. Remove debris. Good: cleared debris or replaced support parts, reassemble, test. Bad: all good but still rattles—call a pro.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would a dryer squeak or squeal?
Common causes: a worn or dry drive belt slipping, a seized or worn idler pulley, or worn drum rollers. The belt and idler keep the drum turning; when they wear, they squeak. Drum rollers can squeak when bearings dry out or wear.
Why would a dryer thump?
Often an unbalanced load—too few items or one heavy item (e.g. a towel) on one side. Redistribute the load and run again. If thumping persists with a balanced load, a drum roller may have a flat spot and need replacement.
When should I call a technician for dryer noise?
Call a pro if you smell gas (evacuate and call 911 or gas utility from outside), if the noise is loud grinding from the motor, if you have replaced the belt and rollers and the noise continues, or if drum removal exceeds your comfort level. Never work on gas lines yourself.

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