Why Is My Dryer Squeaking? Troubleshooting and Solutions

Even the quietest clothes dryers might make a clunking sound or two as they tumble your laundry. But if your otherwise well-behaved dryer starts to squeak, you could have a malfunctioning appliance on your hands.

Unless you have an extra-long clothesline and sunshine for days in the forecast, you’ll want to get to the bottom of why your dryer is squeaking quickly. There’s always the option of calling a pro who fixes dryers, but DIYers up for a challenge can do some troubleshooting of their own. Here are six common issues causing your dryer to make a ruckus.

The Drum Support Rollers Are Worn Out

When drum support rollers are functioning as expected, they keep the dryer drum spinning smoothly to dry your clothes efficiently. However, usage and constant friction over time can cause them to wear out, resulting in a squeaky dryer.

• What does it sound like? You’ll hear a squeak every time the drum rotates.

• How bad is it? Moderate. Your machine and clothes aren’t in imminent danger, but ignoring that squeak will continue to wear down the rollers, which could result in bigger problems and more extensive appliance repairs down the road.

• What should I do? Inspect the drum support rollers for any wear and tear. If it’s time to replace them, purchase rollers designed specifically for your dryer.

The Idler Pulley Isn’t Working

The idler pulley keeps the dryer belt taut so the drum will rotate smoothly. You’ll know when it’s not doing its job by the squeaking noises coming from your laundry area.

• What does it sound like? A high-pitched squeak

• How bad is it? It’s pretty serious. Leave this problem unsolved for too long and you could have a broken dryer belt, which means no working dryer until it’s fixed or replaced.

• What should I do? Unless you’re an experienced DIYer and know what the idler pulley is supposed to look like during proper operation, contact a dryer repair professional near you before your dryer conks out completely.

There’s a Problem With the Drum Bearing 

By now, you’ve gotten the picture that the drum is an important part of a clothes dryer, with multiple parts supporting its operation. One is the drum bearing, which supports and stabilizes the drum. There’s a lot of tumbling going on during any given cycle, and the drum bearing keeps it all tumbling smoothly. However, the bearing can wear out or get damaged over time, and it does need a shot of lubrication now and again.

• What does it sound like? A squeak each time the drum rotates

• How bad is it? Moderate but potentially serious, given that the increased friction can eventually lead to overheating, causing more damage at best or creating a fire hazard at worst.

• What should I do? Experienced DIYers can cut the power to a dryer and attempt to repair or replace the drum bearing, but most will find it easier to call a pro to troubleshoot and/or replace it.

The Blower Wheel Needs to Be Replaced

If your clothes aren’t at all dry even after a full cycle, it could be the blower wheel that’s to blame. As its name suggests, the blower wheel blows the hot (or warm) air through your appliance to dry your clothes. If it’s not working right, it will squeak as it turns.

• What does it sound like? A squeak for every rotation of the wheel

• How bad is it? Moderate as far as a fix, but serious in terms of getting your household tasks done. You might have to resort to line-drying your laundry until it gets fixed.

• What should I do? Shut off your dryer’s power source, then examine the blower wheel to see if it needs to be repaired or replaced. Contact a pro if you’re unsure how to do this yourself.

Something Is Wrong With the Dryer Belt

The dryer belt connects the motor pulley to the drum, which starts and stops the tumble dry process. If there’s a faulty connection with the dryer belt—anything from misalignment or damage to regular wear and tear—then you will begin to hear a rubbing or squeaking noise during a drying cycle.

• What does it sound like? A rubbing noise or squeak

• How bad is it? Mild for now, but don’t ignore it completely

• What should I do? You can continue to use your dryer in the meantime, but call a repair pro or order a new belt if you would like a quiet machine once more.

There’s a Part That Needs (More) Lubrication

There are a lot of different moving parts in a dryer, and if one or more of them are not lubricated enough, something will eventually start squeaking. Adding lubrication will limit friction and likely silence the squeaking—assuming you’ve located the part that requires lubrication, that is.

• What does it sound like? Intermittent squeaking that may range in pitch from high to low

• How bad is it? Moderate. Lubricated parts will ensure a smoother, quieter operation, but all is not lost if you do a couple of squeaky loads of laundry while troubleshooting.

• What should I do? Don’t just grab any household lubricant; make sure you use a product that your manufacturer recommends. Otherwise, you risk creating a fire hazard by using a lubricant that combusts at high temperatures.

How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Dryer?

The cost to repair a dryer is $180 on average but can range between $100 and $430. The actual price will depend on the extent of the problem as well as the appliance’s age, brand, and size.