How to Fix a Squeaky Dryer

If your dryer is making squeaky noises, then this article is for you.

Simply check each of the components listed below, and you should be able to find the cause of the noise and fix it.

Let’s get started.

The Drive Belt

The best place to start is to check the drive belt. The drive belt wraps around the dryer drum and helps it to rotate around. Over time the drive belt will wear out or move out of place, which causes a squeaky noise.

To check the drive belt, you need to:

1. Turn your dryer off at the wall.
2. Remove the top and side panels so you can access the internal components.
3. Locate the drive belt (check your manual if necessary).
4. Check the drive belt for signs of wear and tear and if it is in the correct position (in the middle of the drum).
5. If the drive belt is damaged, replace it. If it is fine, move on to checking the next component.
6. Once replaced, check to see if this stops the noise. If not, move on to checking the next component.

The Drum Roller(s)

Dryers have one or more drum rollers that help to support the drum. When they get worn out, this can cause a squeaky noise to develop.

To check the drum rollers, you need to:

1. Make sure the power is still turned off.
2. Remove the top and side panels if you haven’t already so you can access the internal components.
3. Locate the drum roller(s) (check your manual if necessary).
4. Check the rollers for signs of wear and tear. If the rollers are ok, check the axles as well for signs of damage.
5. If one or more of the rollers and/or the axles are damaged, replace all of them. If they are fine, move on to checking the next component.
6. Once replaced, check to see if this stops the noise. If not, move on to checking the next component.

The Blower Wheel

The blower wheel helps to distribute air around the dryer and out through the vent. Sometimes the wheel can get loose debris, like lint, caught up in it, which can cause the blower wheel to make strange noises.

To check the blower wheel, you need to:

1. Make sure the power is still turned off.
2. Remove the top and side panels if you haven’t already so you can access the internal components.
3. Locate the blower wheel (check your manual if necessary).
4. Check the blower wheel for signs of wear and tear, and then try and rotate it around.
5. If the drive belt is damaged or wobbles when you turn it, replace it. If it is fine, move on to checking the next component.
6. Once replaced, check to see if this stops the noise. If not, move on to checking the next component.

The Drum Bearing

The purpose of the drum bearing is to support the rear of the dryer drum. When it becomes worn out, it will cause a squeaky noise.

To check the drum bearing, you need to:

1. Make sure the power is still turned off.
2. Remove the top and side panels if you haven’t already so you can access the internal components.
3. Locate the drum bearing (check your manual if necessary).
4. Remove the dryer belt, and then check if you can rotate the dryer drum around manually. If the drum can move around freely, this indicates the bearing is faulty and needs to be replaced. If the drum doesn’t move around easily but makes a squeaky noise, this also means the bearing needs to be replaced. If the dryer drum doesn’t move around freely, move on to checking the next component.
5. Once replaced, put the drive belt back on in the correct position, and then check to see if the noise has stopped. If not, move on to checking the next component.

The Drum Glides

The drum glides are small plastic pieces that are there to support the front of the dryer drum when the drum rotates around. If they wear out, they will cause a loud noise to come out of the dryer when it is operating.

To check the drum glides, you need to:

1. Make sure the power is still turned off.
2. Remove the top and side panels if you haven’t already so you can access the internal components.
3. Find the drum glides (check your manual if necessary).
4. Check the drum glides for signs of wear and tear.
5. If any of the glides are worn out, replace them all. If they are not worn out, move on to checking the next component.
6. Once replaced, check to see if this stops the noise. If not, move on to checking the next component.

The Idler Pulley

The idler pulley helps the drive belt to rotate around. When it wears out, the drive belt might not work correctly, which can cause a loud squeaky noise to come out of your dryer.

To check the idler pulley, you need to:

1. Make sure the power is still turned off.
2. Remove the top and side panels if you haven’t already so you can access the internal components.
3. Locate the idler pulley (check your manual if necessary).
4. Check the pulley for signs of wear and tear.
5. If the idler pulley is damaged, replace it. It is also recommended you replace the drive belt. If the drive pulley is fine, move on to checking the next component.
6. Once replaced, check to see if this stops the noise. If not, move on to checking the next component.

The Drive Motor

If you still haven’t found the cause of your dryer making squeaky noises, the final component to check is the drive motor.

To check the drive motor, you need to:

1. Make sure the power is still turned off.
2. Remove the top and side panels if you haven’t already so you can access the internal components.
3. Locate the drive motor (check your manual if necessary).
4. Check the drive belt bearings to see if they have worn out. If so, replace the drive motor.
5. Once replaced, check to see if this stops the squeaky noise.