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.
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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.
