Out of 743 recent service calls for a noisy dryer, a worn pulley explains nearly half of the cases. Here’s how to identify the source of the noise, what you can safely check yourself, and when it’s better to call a technician.

Identifying the type of noise

  • Rhythmic banging: often an object caught between the drum and the cabinet, such as coins, buttons, or a stray zipper pull. Empty your pockets before every load and check around the drum.
  • High-pitched squealing or whistling while turning: usually points to a worn bearing or pulley.
  • Dull thumping or excessive vibration: check that the dryer is properly leveled and avoid overloading; see our maintenance guide for best practices.

The most common causes

These five causes cover more than 92% of the 743 cases analyzed, along with their one-visit resolution rate.

  • Pulley: 49.5% of cases resolved in one visit 85.3% of the time. Repair: replacing the rollers and pulley.
  • Bearing: 18.6% of cases resolved in one visit 70.3% of the time. Repair: replacing the bearing kit and cleaning the machine.
  • Belt: 15.3% of cases resolved in one visit 68.4% of the time. Repair: belt replacement.
  • Drum: 4.7% of cases resolved in one visit 74.3% of the time. Repair: drum replacement.
  • Blower fan: 4.6% of cases resolved in one visit 73.5% of the time. Repair: blower fan replacement.

Noise is one of the easier symptoms to diagnose precisely: a single part, the pulley, accounts for nearly half of all service calls.

When to call a technician

Replacing a pulley, bearing, belt, or drum requires opening up the dryer cabinet, a delicate operation that risks damaging the wiring or internal ducting. If the noise persists after your basic checks, or if it’s a continuous metallic grinding sound, stop using the appliance: a worn bearing left too long can damage the drum surface itself, turning a simple repair into a costly one. Consult a technician.

Our technicians serve all of Quebec; the Laval region alone accounts for over 14% of residential dryer service calls. Request an estimate to book a visit.

Is your dryer showing a different symptom? Check out our guides What to Do When My Dryer Is Not Heating and What to Do When My Dryer Won’t Start.

FAQ

Why is my dryer making a banging noise?

The most common cause is an item left in a pocket or an unbalanced load. Empty your pockets and avoid overly large loads before assuming a mechanical failure.

My dryer is squealing, is that serious?

Not urgent enough to stop using it immediately, but a persistent squeal usually signals a worn bearing or pulley that’s best fixed soon to avoid damaging the drum.

Can I keep using my dryer if it’s noisy?

In the short term, yes, as long as there’s no burning smell or overheating. But delaying repair of a worn pulley or bearing can worsen the wear and increase the repair cost.

How much does it cost to replace a dryer pulley?

This is generally one of the more affordable repairs (under $150, parts and labour included), which partly explains its high one-visit resolution rate.