We’ve all been there—you load the dryer, push the start button, and, as you’re walking away, that dreaded squeak fills the air. While a squeaky dryer might cause a momentary panic (have you seen appliance prices lately?), it is safe to assume you won’t need to replace your dryer just because it’s squeaking.
Here, are the three common causes of a squeaky dryer and how to fix each one yourself.
1. Worn Drum Bearings
If you’ve never seen the internal components of a dryer, you might not fully understand how the drum rotates during the cycle. However, it’s a straightforward design. The dryer drum rides on top of spinning bearings, which support its weight while allowing it to spin freely.
These drum bearings are notorious for wearing out over time, causing your dryer to squeak as it spins. Fortunately, replacing worn drum bearings in your dryer is a simple job that even amateur DIYers can tackle.
How to Replace Worn Dryer Bearings
To replace your dryer’s worn bearing, turn off the power and open the dryer’s shell following the manufacturer’s instructions. Once open, remove the drum by slipping it out of the belt. Spin the bearings to test them, then unbolt and replace any worn bearings with comparable replacements.
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If your bearings don’t look especially worn, a high-heat lubricant might buy you some time and stop the squeak without a complete bearing replacement.
2. Loose Belts
We’ve established that the dryer drum rides on bearings that support its weight and allow it to spin, but what actively spins the dryer drum? The spin of a dryer drum is driven by a motor that is connected to the drum via a long belt wrapped around it. Just like the bearings, this belt can wear over time, stretching out and causing it to squeak.
Replacing a dryer belt is fairly straightforward, so you can likely fix this problem yourself.
How to Replace a Dryer Belt
To replace a squeaky dryer belt, open the dryer and remove the belt by sliding it off the drum and pulley. Install a new belt that matches the current belt’s specs, then reassemble the dryer.
3. Debris Caught in the Drum
It’s not uncommon for lint and other debris to escape the drum and filter, making its way into the area outside of the drum. This debris can accumulate anywhere on the drum, in the bearings, pulleys, belt, motor, and other parts, leading to squeaking, grinding, and other strange sounds.
This debris can also become trapped between the drum and the front of the dryer. It’s relatively common for screws, coins, keys, and other items to fall out of pockets and become trapped in this crevice, causing a squeaking sound as the drum rotates.
How to Remove Debris from a Dryer Drum
When you open the shell of your dryer to inspect the drum bearings and belt, take the time to thoroughly clean any lint and debris around the dryer components. If any debris is caught between the drum and the dryer’s front, remove it using a tool if necessary.
Buildup of lint and debris on the dryer motor or near the heating element is a fire risk that should be addressed promptly, even if it’s not causing the dryer to squeak.
When to Call an Appliance Repair Technician
If you’re unsure whether you can repair your dryer or suspect the squeaking sound is coming from the motor or other complex parts, it might be best to call an appliance repair technician to handle it. A technician can also advise you on whether the repair is worth performing rather than purchasing a new dryer.
Tips to Maintain Your Dryer and Prevent Future Squeaks
Some dryer squeaks are inevitable and occur after regular use wears the various parts. However, other causes of dryer squeaks can be avoided through proper dryer maintenance. Follow these tips to prevent future dryer squeaks and extend the life of your appliance.
- Level the dryer. Dryers are designed to operate on level ground, which is why they feature leveling feet on each corner. Ensure your dryer is functioning optimally by leveling and adjusting the feet.
- Clean the lint filter after every load. Your dryer’s lint filter does an excellent job of catching the lint that comes off your clothes during the drying cycle. However, even if the lint filter is full, the dryer will still remove the lint from the drum as it operates. This lint can bypass the filter and build up in other parts of the dryer.
- Don’t overload the dryer. Consistently overloading your dryer with heavy items or loads that are too large will cause premature wear on parts. Just because it will fit in the dryer doesn’t mean it should.
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