Whirlpool Dryer Making Noise? Whirlpool's Own Checks, Sorted by Sound
Whirlpool dryer making noise? Whirlpool's own checks for squealing, thumping, knocking, buzzing, scraping and door squeaks.
Whirlpool dryer making noise? Whirlpool’s Product Help publishes a separate article for each dryer noise, titled by the sound: “Squealing or Squeaking Sound - Dryer,” “Thumping Sound - Dryer,” “Knocking or Rattling Sound - Dryer,” “Buzzing Sound - Dryer,” “Scraping Sound - Dryer” and “Dryer Door Squeaking - Dryer.”
This page summarizes those six Whirlpool Product Help articles and reports each check against the sound Whirlpool publishes it under. The page adds no model-specific specifications or part numbers of its own — follow your model’s Owner’s Manual for anything model-specific. Informational only.
1. Match the sound first, then the check
Whirlpool’s six articles are symptom pages, and several checks recur across them. The leveling check appears on both the squealing and the knocking pages. The pocket check — zippers, buckles, buttons, rivets, coins, paper clips, pens — appears on the squealing, knocking and buzzing pages. Something fallen into the lint chute appears on the same three pages. The sections below follow Whirlpool’s own sound categories, and the door squeak has its own section because Whirlpool publishes it on a separate page.
2. Squealing or squeaking
Whirlpool’s “Squealing or Squeaking Sound - Dryer” page covers these checks.
Is the dryer level? Whirlpool says to check that the dryer is level, and that if it is not level, or if one leg is missing, it can cause the dryer to make a rattling noise.
Are there loose items in the dryer? Whirlpool says zippers, buckles, buttons and rivets on garments, as well as loose coins, paper clips, pens or similar items, may be tumbling in the dryer, and that you should check and clear pockets before washing.
Does the dryer need to be cleaned? Whirlpool says lint build-up inside the dryer can cause some squealing and squeaking of the dryer belt and pulleys, and that this may require a service call to remove the back panel and thoroughly clean the inside of the dryer. The same page adds that small items such as coins or socks can fall into the lint chute housing and hit the blower wheel as it spins, causing a rattling noise. To check that, remove the lint screen and look inside the housing for foreign objects; if items are spotted, use a lint brush specific for dryers to remove them.
Is the dryer older? Whirlpool says that as the dryer ages, the belt and pulleys can wear, causing some squealing-type sounds, and that these components may require replacement to eliminate those sounds. It advises verifying with an Authorized Service provider what parts should be replaced.
3. Thumping
Whirlpool’s “Thumping Sound - Dryer” page covers these checks.
Is the dryer being used for the first time? Whirlpool says a dryer roller sound noticed in the initial cycles after install will decrease over a period of regular use, because the rubber rollers conform to the dryer drum over time and roller sound is reduced.
Is the load knotted, balled up, or are you drying tennis shoes? Whirlpool says laundry items with large amounts of fabric — sheets, curtains, tablecloths and bedspreads — can roll into a ball in the dryer, and that this ball of fabric may thump and may cause the dryer to vibrate, making a thumping sound. It adds that tumbling tennis shoes can make the dryer shake or vibrate, and that a dry rack should be used when drying tennis shoes.
Has the dryer had a period of non-use? Whirlpool says that if the dryer has not been used for a while, there may be a light thumping sound during the first few minutes of operation. When the dryer is not used, the drum support rollers can flatten where the rollers and drum touch; that flat spot causes the thumping sound. Once the dryer runs for some time, Whirlpool says the rollers regain their shape and the sound should stop.
Are the dryer legs installed and level? Whirlpool says a dryer without legs, or that is missing legs, may rock or teeter on a floor that is not level, which will cause some noise. Its instruction is to check whether any of the four dryer legs are missing, replace any missing legs, and level the dryer both front-to-back and side-to-side, ensuring all four legs are in contact with the floor.
4. Knocking or rattling
Whirlpool’s “Knocking or Rattling Sound - Dryer” page covers these checks.
Is the dryer level? The same leveling check as above; on this page Whirlpool words the result as a knocking noise rather than a rattling one.
Is there anything on top of or next to the dryer? Whirlpool says items leaning against the dryer may also cause a knocking or rattling noise, and that objects on top of the dryer that may be causing the sound should be removed. It adds that when the washer spins it can cause the dryer cabinet to vibrate, and that leaving space between the washer and dryer avoids this sound. If the dryer is mounted on a dryer pedestal, items in the pedestal drawer may be rattling or vibrating and causing the sound.
Are there loose items in the dryer? The same pocket check Whirlpool gives on the squealing page.
Has anything fallen into the lint chute? Whirlpool says small items such as coins or socks can fall into the lint chute housing and hit the blower wheel as it spins, causing a knocking noise. Remove the lint screen and look inside the housing for foreign objects; if items are spotted, use a lint brush specific for dryers to remove them.
5. Buzzing
Whirlpool’s “Buzzing Sound - Dryer” page covers items on or next to the dryer, loose items in the drum, the lint chute, and the space behind the dryer.
Is there anything on top of or next to the dryer? Whirlpool says items leaning against the dryer may also cause a buzzing noise, that objects on top of the dryer should be removed, that a spinning washer can cause the dryer cabinet to vibrate (leave space between the washer and dryer), and that items in a pedestal drawer may be rattling or vibrating.
Is there room behind the dryer? Whirlpool says that if the dryer is pushed too far back, the vent could be touching the dryer, causing a vibrating or buzzing sound.
Are there loose items in the dryer? The same pocket check as the other pages.
Has anything fallen into the lint chute? Small items such as coins or socks can fall into the lint chute housing and hit the blower wheel as it spins; on this page Whirlpool describes the result as a knocking noise.
6. Scraping
Whirlpool’s “Scraping Sound - Dryer” page is a single check. It says objects such as coins, paper clips, safety pins, screws, nails or other small hardware can get caught in the seam where the drum meets the front or rear. Its instruction: turn off the dryer, look inside the dryer along the front and rear edges of the drum, and remove any objects caught in the seam.
7. A squeak from the door itself
Whirlpool’s “Dryer Door Squeaking - Dryer” page covers the door itself.
Is the door making a squeaking sound when opening or closing? Whirlpool says that under certain circumstances you may notice a door squeak when opening or closing the dryer door, and that the door may have come out of alignment, causing the chrome trim surrounding the door frame to rub on the front panel.
Are the door screws loose? Whirlpool says that after a time the door screws may loosen, causing the door to squeak, and that if the hinge screws are loose they should be tightened.
8. Where Whirlpool’s checks end
The squealing, thumping and scraping pages carry the same service text: “Please contact us or click below to make an appointment from our preferred list of service providers for service on your appliances.” On the squealing page, two items point beyond a user check: cleaning lint from inside the dryer by removing the back panel, which Whirlpool says may require a service call, and worn belt and pulleys, which Whirlpool says may require replacement and should be verified with an Authorized Service provider.
Questions and answers
Q: My Whirlpool dryer squeals while it tumbles. Where does Whirlpool start? A: Its “Squealing or Squeaking Sound” page asks about leveling, loose items in the drum, lint build-up inside the dryer affecting the belt and pulleys, and belt and pulley wear as the dryer ages.
Q: Why does my dryer thump for the first few minutes and then stop? A: Whirlpool’s “Thumping Sound” page says that after a period of non-use, the drum support rollers can flatten where the rollers and drum touch, and that the flat spot causes the thumping sound. It says the rollers regain their shape once the dryer runs for some time and the sound should stop.
Q: Something is scraping inside the drum. What does Whirlpool say to check? A: Its “Scraping Sound” page says small objects such as coins, paper clips, safety pins, screws or nails can get caught in the seam where the drum meets the front or rear. Whirlpool’s instruction is to turn off the dryer, look along the front and rear edges of the drum, and remove anything caught in the seam.
Q: Why does the dryer buzz when the washer spins? A: Whirlpool’s buzzing and knocking pages both say a spinning washer can cause the dryer cabinet to vibrate, and that leaving space between the washer and dryer avoids the sound.
Q: The squeak only happens when I open or close the door. Is that a drum problem? A: Whirlpool covers it on a separate page, “Dryer Door Squeaking.” It points to the door coming out of alignment so the chrome trim rubs on the front panel, and to loose hinge screws.
Q: When should I stop checking and call service? A: The squealing, thumping and scraping pages carry the same service text: “Please contact us or click below to make an appointment from our preferred list of service providers for service on your appliances.” On the squealing page, cleaning lint from inside the dryer is described as possibly requiring a service call, and worn belt and pulleys as possibly requiring replacement verified with an Authorized Service provider.