GE Dryer Squeaking or Thumping: What the Sound Points To

A noisy dryer is easier to sort when you describe the sound before you guess at a part. The pitch, the rhythm and whether it changes with a load all carry information, although none of it is proof.

Squealing or Chirping

A steady squeal while the drum turns often comes from a worn belt, an idler pulley or a drum support roller. A chirp that repeats once per drum turn can point at a roller or a glide that has lost its smooth surface. A squeal that disappears when the drum is empty can be load related.

Thumping

• Rhythmic thump, once per turn: a flat spot on a roller, or a part of the belt that has worn unevenly.
• Thump only with certain loads: a bulky item such as shoes or a rug. Shoes are the first thing to remove.
• Thump from a cold dryer that fades: sometimes a drum that sat unused develops a temporary flat spot.

Scraping or Rubbing

A scrape often signals something touching the drum, such as a worn seal, a foreign object in the gap behind the drum or a lint-packed corner. Check the lint screen housing and the drum front with a flashlight while the dryer is unplugged.

When to Stop Using It

Stop if the noise comes with a burning smell, a drum that no longer turns freely or a belt you can smell as rubber. Running a belt that is slipping can generate heat and lint residue that nobody wants near a heater.

Limits of Listening

Two different worn parts can make nearly the same sound. We find out by turning the drum by hand and checking each support point.

To have the noise traced, read about the visit on our dryer repair page and confirm your address in the service area. Pricing is agreed in writing beforehand, and the repair is under a 30-day workmanship warranty.