8 Reasons Your Dryer Makes Loud Banging Noise (+Fix)

A dryer making a banging noise is annoying and indicates certain faults that will affect the efficiency of the drying cycle. If unnoticed, it can cause severe harm to the device. And in the long run, you will have to replace the dryer.

A dryer making the banging noise can be due to a damaged baffle. If the baffle is cracked or damaged, you must replace it. A defective motor can also cause a loud banging noise. Test it with the multimeter and if it is defective, replace it. Also, check the drum roller axles for possible damages.

In this article, I will help you determine the cause of the banging noise in your dryer. You will also know the step-by-step process to fix the issue. So, keep reading.

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Why is my dryer making a loud banging noise? (+Fix)

The dryer making a loud banging noise will be the most annoying experience.

It will be a more peace-ruining experience if your laundry room is next to your bedroom.

I encountered a similar experience with my dryer once.

It was hard to find out why it was making such noise initially, but after researching and talking to experts, I figured it out.

If your dryer makes such noises, I don’t want you to waste time.

So, I have shared everything I learned from my experience in this article.

Also read: 6 Reasons Your Dryer Is Making Rattling Noise (+Fix)

8 reasons why your dryer makes a banging noise

Here are the common reasons that lead to a dryer making a banging noise.

1. A faulty drum slide

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A drum slide is located on the front side at the top or the bottom of the dryer.

It acts as the support system to the dryer’s drum on either side.

The drum glides are in the same position in all the dryers.

Generally, they are made of plastic, nylon, and Teflon materials to give the drum a smooth surface to rotate. 

In the long run, drum glides wear out to produce a loud noise. 

In such a case, you must replace the drum glides. 

Follow these steps to replace them:

  • Unplug the dryer from the electric outlet to prevent any hazards.
  • In case you have a gas dryer, turn off the gas valve.
  • Disconnect the lint screen from the dryer’s top panel. Remove the screws securing the lint housing to the top panel using a screwdriver.
  • Using a putty knife, lift the top panel to unlock the tabs securing the top panel with the dryer. Pull off the top panel, and keep it aside.
  • Now, it is time to remove the front panel. Remove the screws securing the front panel with the dryer using a slot screwdriver.
  • Disconnect the wire harness. Lift the front panel from the dryer, and disconnect the bottom hangers. Disconnect the front panel completely and keep it in a safe place. 
  • Access the drum of the dryer. Before removing the drum, you must note the configuration of the belt on the idler pulley on the motor. Capture a photo of it for future reference. 
  • Remove the drum bearing by releasing the tabs. Pull off the drum bearings. 
  • Prepare the new drum bearing to replace.
  • Place the new drum bearing in place and secure it with the tabs.
  • Reinstall the drum and refer to the picture you took. Connect the idler pulley and the drive with the motor.
  • Reinstall the front panel by securing it with the screws and connecting the wire harness.
  • Place the top panel into the position. Fix it in the position.
  • Reattach the lint housing by securing it with the screws.
  • Reattach the lint screen.
  • Plug in the dryer with the electric outlet. Turn on the gas valve. 

Run the dryer and check if the noise has vanished. 

2. A defective drum bearing

The drum bearing is the important part that supports the rotation of the pulley when the motor is turned on.

A drum bearing connected with the sleeve bushing looks like a ball in some dryers.

In others, it is more like a socket. 

As it continuously works to make the rotation happen, it wears out in time, and you must replace it to eliminate the loud banging noise.

Here is how you can replace the drum bearing:

  • Unplug the dryer from the electric outlet. Turn off the gas valve if you have a gas dryer.
  • Access the dryer’s drum by removing the back and top panels.
  • Remove the drum of your dryer by removing the idler pulley and the drive belt.
  • Check if the bearing is at fault. Remove the bearing by removing the screws attached to it.
  • Replace the new bearing and secure it with the screws.
  • Reinstall the drum by attaching the idler pulley and the drive belt.
  • Reinstall the front and the panel by securing it with the screw you removed.
  • Plug in the dryer to the electric outlet. Turn on the gas valve in the case of the gas dryer. 

Run the dryer and check if the issue is solved. 

3. Faulty drum rollers and shaft

Drum support rollers are located in the drum supporting its rotation.

You can locate the drum rollers at the rear side of the dryer.

Some dryers have drum rollers on the front side. 

If the drum rollers are defective, they won’t let the drum rotate freely, and it will create a loud noise. 

In such a case, you must replace the drum rollers and shaft.

Follow these steps to replace the drum support rollers and shaft:

  • Start by unplugging your dryer from the electric outlet. Turn off the gas valve in case you own a gas dryer.
  • Disconnect the lint screen. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the lint housing with the dryer.
  • Lift the top panel of the dryer using the putty knife. Insert the putty knife at the edge of the dryer’s top panel, and pull off the panel to disconnect it from the dryer. Keep it aside.
  • Disconnect the wire harness attached to the front panel of the dryer.
  • Remove the screws securing the front panel with the dryer. Pull off the front panel by disconnecting it from the bottom bangs and keep it aside.
  • Access the drum. Note the configuration of the idler pulley and the drive belt.
  • Take a picture of the configuration for future reference.
  • Lift the drum by removing the drive belt and the idler pulley. Keep the drum and keep it aside.
  • Use a slot screwdriver to pull the triangular washer off the roller.
  • Disconnect the drum roller from the shaft.
  • Purchase the new drum roller based on the model of your dryer.
  • Install the new drum roller to the shaft. Reattach the triangular washer.
  • Reattach the drum. Refer to the picture you took to connect the idler pulley and the drive belt. Fix the drive belt on the motor pulley.
  • Reconnect the wire harness and attach the front panel to the dryer. Secure it with the screws you removed.
  • Reattach the top panel of your dryer. Place the lint housing in place and secure it with the screws. Reinstall the lint screen to the lint housing.
  • Plug in the dryer with the electricity. Turn on the gas valve. 

Run the dryer and check if the banging noise has vanished.

4. A faulty drive belt

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A drive belt can be wrapped around the drum and extended around the drive pulley. 

A drive pulley is attached to the motor shaft.

A motor shaft helps the drive belt to spin around the drum. 

If the drive belt is damaged, you must replace it. 

Follow the steps mentioned below to replace the drive belt:

  • Start by disconnecting the dryer from the electricity. Turn off the gas valve if you have the gas dryer.
  • Remove the back and the front panel. Access the drum located inside the dryer.
  • You can find the belt around the drum. Pull out the damaged drive belt.
  • Purchase the new belt depending on the model of your dryer.
  • Replace the new drive belt by wrapping it around the idler pulley. And wrap[ it through the motor pulley.
  • Reinstall the front and back panels.
  • Plug in the dryer. Turn on the gas dryer valve if you have the gas dryer. 

Run the dryer and check whether the noise persists. 

5. A faulty idler pulley

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The main purpose of the idler pulley is to prevent the drive belt from getting off balance.

It provides the grip to the belt to keep the drum in rotation during the drying cycle. 

It spins at high speed.

In the long run, an idler pulley will be worn out, producing a loud banging noise in the dryer. 

In such a case, you must replace the idler pulley.

  • Start by disconnecting the electricity from the dryer. In the case of the gas dryer, turn off the gas valve.
  • Remove the top and back panels to access the dryer’s drum. Disconnect the wire harness while removing the top panel.
  • Access the drum, and note how the idler pulley is connected with the drive belt passing through the motor pulley. Please take a picture of it on your mobile. 
  • Pull out the front part of the drum to locate the idler pulley and the motor. 
  • Lift the idler pulley from the base of the dryer. 
  • Purchase a new idler pulley based on the model of your dryer.
  • Install the new idler pulley and place it in the position. Wrap the drive around the motor pulley.
  • Reattach the front and back panels. Reconnect the wire harness.
  • Plug in the dryer with the electricity. Turn on the gas valve if you have the gas dryer. 

Run the dryer and check if the issue is solved.

If the dryer still makes the banging noise, try the following fixes. 

6. A loosened blower wheel

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A blower wheel collects the air from the heating chamber, which travels through the drum to exhaust through the dryer’s vent. 

It is connected to the motor with a clamp securing it in place. 

A blower wheel has a plastic body that will wear out over time. 

If the blower wheel is damaged, you must replace it. 

Follow the steps mentioned below to replace the bowel wheel:

  • Start by unplugging the dryer from the electricity. Turn off the gas valve in case you have a gas dryer.
  • Remove the back and front panels. Disconnect the wire harness from the front panel.
  • Access the drum of your dryer. Lift the dryer belt to lift the drum out of the washer.
  • Disconnect the door switch and the wire harness.
  • Access the blower wheel housing. Remove the screws securing it with the dryer. Remove the blower wheel housing and place it in a comfortable place to replace the blower wheel.
  • Remove the blower wheel from the housing. You can spin it manually to remove the blower wheel.
  • Purchase the new blower wheel based on the model of your dryer.
  • Replace the blower wheel by holding the bolt back at the housing.
  • Reattach the blower wheel housing in the bracket. Secure it with the screws.
  • Reconnect all the wire harnesses you disconnected. 
  • Reattach the drum to the dryer. Connect the idler pulley and the drive belt.
  • Reattach the front and back panels.
  • Plug in the dryer to the electric outlet. If you have a gas dryer, turn on the gas valve. 

Run the dryer and check if the noise has disappeared. 

7. Damaged baffles

A drum baffle is used to fluff the clothes during the drying cycle.

If the drum baffles are damaged, clothes will stick to the side wall of the drum. 

It will also cause a banging noise in the dryer. 

Follow these steps to replace the drum baffles:

  • Start by disconnecting the dryer from the electricity.
  • Pull off the top panel from the dryer using a pulley knife.
  • Access the drum of the dryer. Spin the drum manually to check if the baffles are loosened. Locate the screws holding the baffles in place.
  • Using a nut driver, remove the screws from the baffles. Pull the baffles from the drum.
  • Purchase new baffles based on the model of your dryer.
  • Reinstall the new baffles to the drum. Secure it with the screws.
  • Reattach the top panel to the dryer. Reconnect all the wire harnesses you removed.
  • Plug in the dryer. Turn on the gas valve if you have the gas dryer. 

8. A defective motor

A drive motor rotates the blower wheel and the dryer drum to perform the drying cycle.

A drive belt and the motor pulley are attached to the motor. 

If the motor is damaged, it produces varieties of mixed noises in the dryer. 

In such a case, you must replace the motor. 

Follow the steps mentioned below to replace the defective motor.

  • Start by disconnecting the power source from the dryer. Turn off the gas valve if you have the gas dryer.
  • Remove the top and front panels to access the interiors of the dryer.
  • Lift the drum using the belt, disconnect it and keep it aside.
  • Remove the blower wheel housing to access the drive motor.
  • Locate the motor. Disconnect all the wires connected to the motor.
  • Disconnect the motor from the dryer and keep it in a safe place. 
  • Test the motor with the multimeter in an Rx1 setting. The reading must be zero or close to zero. If not, you must replace the motor. 
  • Purchase the motor based on the model of your dryer.
  • Replace with the new motor. Connect all the wires with the motor.
  • Place the motor in place and secure it with the screws.
  • Reattach the blower wheel housing in the bracket. Secure it with the screws.
  • Place the drum and connect the drive belt and the idler pulley.
  • Reconnect all the wires you disconnected.
  • Reattach the front and back panels. Secure them with the screws you removed.
  • Plug in the dryer with the electric outlet. Turn off the gas valve.

What does a worn dryer belt sound like?

A dryer belt plays a significant role in the rotation of the drum by being part of the pulley system. 

If the dryer belt is broken, it won’t let the dryer rotate the drum.\

It will affect the efficiency of the dryer. 

If the dryer belt is damaged, it will make a thumping and banging noise.

How much does it cost to replace dryer drum rollers?

The average cost to replace the dryer drum ranges between $50 and $100.

A drum roller will hold the drum in place. 

You can locate the drum rollers at the rear side of the dryer. 

In the long run, the drum roller will wear out and be damaged. 

Follow the steps mentioned above to replace the drum rollers.

How many years do dryers last?

The life span of the dryer depends on how well you maintain the dryer.

It is advised to do the deep cleaning twice a year.

It is good to deep clean the dryer lint filter and the vent monthly. 

If maintained well, a dryer will last for 10 to 13 years.

Final thoughts

As I mentioned in the article, a dryer making the banging noise can be due to the various defective parts.

Before trying to fix the issue, you must figure out the cause. As a next step, you can follow the step-by-step process mentioned in the article to fix the bangling noise in the dryer.

To eliminate such annoying noises, you must deep clean the dryer often. You should also avoid overloading the dryer to increase the efficiency of the drying cycle.

Also read:


Reference: APPLIANCE STANDARDS AWARENESS PROJECTLG Official GuideKenmore User manual.

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Jeniffer Smith

Hi, I am Jeniffer Smith, a housemaker and blogger, and I grew up in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. I have been researching and fixing appliances and other things around the home and kitchen from a young age to help my single mother. Every time something went wrong, I couldn't rest until I fixed it. And ever since, I have enjoyed fixing things around my home, and I am always ready to help my friends and family with advice and hands-on help. Since we were always looking for affordable ways of fixing things, we rarely hired experts and tried to fix most things ourselves. That interest brought me to write for this blog, as I realized my knowledge could help many people trying to fix things around their homes on their own without spending hundreds of dollars.

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