Why Is My Dryer Making Hissing Noise? (6 Causes+Fix)

Drying is the last yet significant stage in doing laundry. Dryers are saviors during the winter to dry clothes efficiently. If you have heard loud hissing in your dryer recently, remember it conveys that something went wrong.

A blocked vent house, worn out drum bearing, malfunctioning blower wheel, or malfunctioning heating element cause the hissing noise in the dryer. To fix the issue, check each part individually and replace/repair the faulty parts if needed. Call a professional if you are not equipped enough.

In this article, you will understand common causes and troubleshooting tips to fix the issue. So, keep reading. 

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1. Causes of Hissing Noises in Dryers

The hissing noise indicates the faults in the dryer, and also, loud noise disturbs the peace in the house. 

Long-term exposure to loud noise in the dryer will cause severe health issues. 

I know how annoying it would feel when the dryer makes such a loud noise. 

So, it is best to find out the cause of the hissing noise, which will make fixing the issue easily. 

Here are the common causes of the hissing noise in the dryer: 

Blocked vent hose

Vent house in the essential part of the dryer. 

There are two types of vents, indoor and outdoor vents. 

The dryer vent is connected to the dryer through a duct in the shape of a tube made of aluminum and metal. 

The role of the vent house is to remove the excess lint, heat, and moisture that results at the end of the drying cycle. 

If there is no vent house or the vent house is blocked in the dryer, the heat, dirt, and moisture will accumulate, resulting in fire hazards.

The outdoor vent is located on the outer wall of your house. 

The outer wall vent is connected to the dyer through a tube, carrying moisture, heat, and lint to expel them. 

In the case of living in apartments, it will be difficult to access the outer wall. 

In such situations, the vent is built on the interior wall. 

The interior wall contains a filter to remove dirt, debris, and moisture from the dryer. 

If not cleaning the vent houses regularly, they are more likely to get clogged. 

If the vent is clogged or damaged, a dryer will make a hissing noise and cause fire hazards. 

To avoid damage to the dryer, you must unclog the blocked vent houses. 

Other signs of vent issues in your dryer

  • Clothes take more than 30 minutes to dry. 
  • The vent hoop flap in the dryer is stuck or too tight to open. 
  • If the area around the vent is filled with dirt and debris.
  • If you feel hot air around the dryer when it is running.  
  • The dryer was making a loud noise. 
  • Unpleasant odor in the laundry room and around the vent housing. 

Worn drum bearing

The drum bearing is attached to the dryer’s back panel to facilitate the drum’s rotation. 

As the dryer’s drum is rotating, the drum bearing supports the back side of the drum to help it withstand the clothes load during the rotation. 

They are small metal balls that are round in shape. 

It is located exactly at the center of the drum. 

There is more than one drum bearing attached to the drum. 

The idler pulley, belt, and motor are the important parts people suspect of fault if there is a loud noise in the dryer. 

But the drum bearing also plays an important role in the drum’s rotation. 

The drum bearing helps the drum’s rotation by turning the idler pulley ignited by the motor and belt. 

The drum bearing will wear out in the long run, causing a loud noise while the dryer runs. 

In addition to the loud noise, the worn-out drum bearing will reduce the dryer’s efficiency. 

Overloading the drum is the main cause of worn-out drum bearing other than regular wear and tear in the long run. 

What are the signs of a faulty drum bearing?

Unusual noise

As mentioned already, the loud hissing and squealing noise indicated the faults in the drum bearing.

Drum bearings won’t wear out quickly.

If your dryer is more than 10 years old, there are chances of drum-bearing faults.

When the bearing is worn out, the motor will work excessively to rotate the drum. 

It causes noise, and also, in the long run, the motor will get faulty. 

Unbalanced rotation of the drum

The unbalanced rotation of the drum indicates that the drum’s rotation is not smooth. 

You can observe the drum running and stopping in the middle if you notice carefully. 

It causes damage to the internal parts of the dryer. 

Due to the lack of lubrication in the drum bearing, clothes will not be dried completely at the end of the cycle. 

Malfunctioning blower wheel

The blower wheel is a round part made of strong plastic found attached to the drive shaft in the dryer. 

The main role of the blower wheel is to rotate fiercely to circulate the hot air throughout the drum, expelling the moisture, dirt, and debris to the vent duct. 

If the blower wheel is stuck or broken, you can hear a loud noise in the dryer, and internal damages occur. 

So, it is important to replace the blower wheel if you find it faulty.

Clogged lint filter

The modern dryer comes with a lint filter. 

It is located at the front side of the dryer to catch the lint and debris particles during the drying cycle.

As it traps lint and debris particles, it is important to clean it regularly. 

It will become clogged if you leave it uncleaned for a long time. 

It will pose a reason for the loud noise and the other issues in the dryer. 

Professionals suggest cleaning the lint filter after every load. 

How can you trap the lint in your dryer?

The location of the lint trap differs based on the brand and model of the dryer. Here are the common lint filter locations in the dryer: 

Inside the door

Open the dryer’s door. If you find the handle inside the door, a lint filter is located, and you can pull the handle to remove the lint filter. 

After pulling the lint filter out, you can see a screen in the filter where all the dirt and debris particles will get trapped. 

Users can clean the dirt and debris accumulation using a brush and a cotton cloth. 

The back side of the dryer

Look at the dryer’s back wall; you can see a lint filter attached to the hole. You can pull the lint filter out by inserting your hand inside the hole in the wall. 

The top right corner

It is the common location of the lint filter in the dryer. 

At the right corner of the dryer, under the control board, you can locate the handle, which you must pull out to remove the lint filter. 

Such filters are easy to access and clean regularly. 

Damaged heating element

The dryer’s heating elements are designed to convert electrical energy into heat energy. 

It is located on the back side of the right corner of the dryer. 

If the coils in the heating elements are damaged or broken, it will affect the drying efficiency of the dryer. 

It also causes unusual hissing noises in the dryer. 

In such a case, you must replace the heating element. 

Malfunctioning motor

The drive motor is located at the backside of the drum. 

It helps rotate the drum with wet clothes and rotates the blower wheel to circulate hot air throughout the drum. 

It converts electromagnetic energy into mechanical energy to rotate the dryer’s drum. 

If the motor malfunctions, the dryer will take a long time to dry the clothes. 

It will also produce sharp squealing and hissing noises in the dryer. 

To fix the noise, you must replace the dryer. 

Loose parts

If your dryer is making a hissing noise, check the inner parts of the dryer. 

It includes a drum, belt, idler pulley, motor, and blower wheel. 

These parts might sometimes become loose due to regular wear and tear, resulting in a loud banging noise in the dryer

To fix this issue, you must check the inner parts to tighten them. 

You can consider consulting a professional to inspect the inner parts. 

2. Identifying the source of the hissing noise

As we have discussed the common causes, it doesn’t mean all the parts would be faulty in your dryer. 

One or two of the mentioned parts might become faulty. 

To find the precise solution, you must figure out the fault in your dryer. 

Understanding the sounds your dryer makes

The dryer makes a different sound indicating the different issues. 

Here is the common sound that occurs in the dryer due to the faults in its inner parts: 

  • Grinding. 
  • Rumbling. 
  • Rattling
  • Squeaking. 
  • Thumping. 
  • Banging. 
  • Buzzing.

Understanding these sounds and their causes is the first step to fixing the loud hissing noise in your dryer. 

Troubleshooting tips for finding the source of the hissing noise

To troubleshoot the issue in your dryer, start by checking the vent house. Check if the vent hose is clogged. 

Remove the back panel, access the drum bearing, and check it for any faults. 

Access the blower wheel in your dryer and check if it is struck. 

Check the lint filter for accumulated dust and debris. 

At last, check the heating element and motor. 

Motor faults won’t frequently occur. 

If there are faults in the motor, it will be expensive to repair it. 

After checking all these parts, you will be able to troubleshoot the faults which are causing loud hissing noise in the dryer. 

3. Repairing the Hissing Noise in Your Dryer

Now you have figured out the cause, it is time to repair your dryer. 

DIY repairs for common causes of hissing noises

If the lint filter and the vent hose are clogged in your dryer, you can try a DIY to fix the issue. 

How can you clean the lint filter?

Clogged vents are dangerous and may cause fire hazards if not properly cared for. 

It also delays the drying of clothes. 

Steps to unclog the vent hose in the dryer

  • Unplug the dryer from the electric outlet. 
  • Wear a face mask to protect yourself from dust and debris. 
  • Access the vent duct at the back of the dryer and the vent’s opening at the outer wall. 
  • Use a wrench to loosen the vent duct from the dryer and outer wall. 
  • Use a brush and a vacuum cleaner to flush out all the dirt and debris from the duct. 
  • Use detergent water to run it through the vent duct. And after cleaning it, let the duct dry before you attach it to the dryer. 
  • Clean the vent racks at the outer wall using a brush. You can also use a vent cleaning kit to remove the dust from the vent duct and vent outlet. 

If you are not comfortable doing a vent cleaning, you can consider hiring professionals to do the cleaning. 

When to call a professional for repairs?

Suppose there are faults in your dryer’s motor, heating element, or blower wheel. 

In that case, you must consider hiring a professional to repair it. 

Doing these repairs requires opening the inner parts of the dryer. 

It is important to have a technical repair to do this replacement. 

Hiring professionals will make the repair efficient and easy. 

Maintenance tips for preventing future hissing noises in your dryer 

Taking proper dryer care will prevent the issues and increase its lifespan. 

Follow the tips below to maintain your dryer: 

  • Lint screens are usually trapped by dirt and debris. So, it is important to clean the lint screen after every cycle. 
  • Remove the lint screen from the slot and clean the stop using a brush and a vacuum cleaner. 
  • Unplug the dryer from the electric outlet and clean the dryer’s interior using a cotton cloth and a brush to remove the residue and salt deposition. 
  • Access the bottom of the dryer and remove the dust and debris using a vacuum cleaner. 
  • Check if the dryer is placed on a leveled surface. Adjust the dryer’s leg to lever it on the floor. 
  • Remove the vent duct and exterior vent to clean them regularly to avoid dust accumulation. 
  • Overloading the dum during the drying cycle will damage the inner parts of the dryer. Make sure you follow the guidelines given in the user manual while loading the dryer. 

4. Impact of Hissing Noises on Dryer Performance

Hissing and other loud noises in the dryer occur when the inner parts like the blower wheel, drum bearing, belt, and idler pulley are faulty. 

If these parts are faults, the rotation of the drum will be affected, reducing the overall efficiency of the dryer. 

A noisy dryer will delay the drying cycle, resulting in high utility bills. 

As hissing indicates the faults in the dryer, it is important to treat it immediately. 

Not taking care of the hissing noise may lead to fire hazards. 

If the heating element is faulty, not fixing the issue will cause a fire. 

The same goes for the faults in the drive motor. 

If the drive motor is faulty, replace it immediately. 

Not fixing the drive motor will also cause fire hazards in the dryer.

Fixing the issues immediately will increase the efficiency of the dryer. And also, you can avoid costly repairs to the dryer. 

Final thoughts

The hissing noise in the dryer is caused by the faulty blower wheel, drive motor, clogged lint filter, and worn-out drum bearing. As it indicates the dryer’s severe faults, you must figure out the cause and repair it immediately. 

If the blower wheel, drive motor, and drum bearing are faulty, you must replace them with a professional’s assistance. If the lint filter and the vent housing is clogged, you can clean them by following the steps mentioned in the article. 

It is crucial to take proper care of dryers to prevent these issues. Deep clean the lint filter, vent, and interior of the dryer once a month. If you can’t figure out the cause of the hissing noise in your dryer, you can consult a professional to troubleshoot the issue. 

How much does it cost to fix a noisy dryer?

The average cost of fixing the noisy dryer will range from $100 to $400. It may vary based on the charges of local technicians in your area. 

What is the lifespan of a dryer?

The average lifespan of the dryer is 10 to 15 years. Even though you take proper care of it, a dryer will fail after 15 years of usage.

Reference link: Dryer Wikipedia, LG 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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