Why Is My Frigidaire Dryer Squeaking [SOLVED] – Let’s Fix It

A dryer that’s making a squeaking sound is a problem that needs to be taken care of before it becomes a serious one. There are several parts that may be causing the noise, but there are a few steps you can take to determine where the noise is coming from.

Frigidaire dryers tend to make squeaking sounds due to a number of reasons — including parts that need replacing or greasing and mildew. While you can learn how to fix the faults yourself with some troubleshooting, it’s much easier to call for professional assistance.

Frigidaire Dryer Squeaking – Troubleshoot and Diagnosis

Frigidaire dryers may be making odd noises, which can be annoying at best or a sign of serious problems at worst. You can look up the noise in your owners manual, but it’s not always obvious what’s causing a specific noise. Here’s how to narrow down what the problem is and address it.

Worn Out Idler Pulley

The idler pulley is a crucial part of a dryer. Without it, the belt would lose its ability to keep tension on the drum and turn the clothes inside. It doesn’t really do any work — it sits there and rotates, keeping that belt under tension for the drum to turn freely. That’s all it does, but without it, your clothes might never get spun dry. We need it.

If the dryer squeaks or makes a strange noise, it may be because there’s too little grease on the idler pulley. Without enough grease, the idler pulley doesn’t spin freely and rubs against the housing. That can result in a squeaking sound and cause wear and tear on other parts of the dryer.

You may have a squeaking noise or even see a wobbling pulley if your dryer’s idler pulley is not properly greased. It could be that the manufacturer put too little grease on it or applied it incorrectly, but it could also be that the grease dried out after many uses. In any case, this issue can be resolved quickly and easily by purchasing and applying new grease from your local hardware store.

If your dryer is running loudly, it could be due to worn idler pulley assembly. When the belt becomes loose on the pulley, the machine makes noise and this can be resolved by applying a lubricant spray to the idler pulley. If the noise continues, you might want to buy and install a new idler pulley assembly to prevent any damage to other parts or moving parts in your dryer.

To remove the access panel on the rear of the dryer, you’ll need to tilt the panel toward you and lift it off. After that, you can disconnect the wires from the rear access panel and then reach inside to pull out the idler pulley. This part slides upward from inside of the dryer and then should be lifted out.

Make sure the pulley is properly greased before you reattach it to the drum. To do this, remove the drum belt and set it aside. Then, place a generous amount of lubrication on the indentations located on the pulley and rotate it manually several times to ensure that it’s thoroughly coated.

Worn-Out Drum Bearings/Rollers

The dryer drum is the heart of the machine — after all, it’s what you’ll drop your wet laundry into and have it tumble around for a bit. That tumbling action is powered by a series of belts, pulleys, and rollers that make sure the drum spins smoothly. But sometimes those parts wear down and lose their smoothness, and that can cause annoying loud noises with every spin.

The wear and tear on dryer drum bearings depends on several factors. According to experts, one of the main reasons for a worn part is that it was installed incorrectly. Since cheap dryers are more likely to come from unknown brands and are produced by less-reputable manufacturers, this is very likely to be the case.

When the dryer is in use and the drum turns, all of the friction created between moving metal parts within the drum and internal hinged plastic or metal parts cause wear on these components. Wear can be accelerated and potential damage accelerated when the dryer isn’t used very often and thus not frequently turning the drum.

By now, we all know that DIY projects can be dangerous. While you might enjoy the satisfaction of doing them yourself, taking on repairs for complicated mechanical components like dryer drum bearings is a job best left to a qualified technician. Ignoring this advice could lead to your dryer damaging other parts. If they need replacing, call an experienced professional.

Failed Rear Bearing

The bearings in front-load dryers are located on the back of the dryer. The bearings are made of steel balls that roll between metal rollers and allow the drum to spin freely. If a bearing breaks or becomes damaged, your clothes won’t dry well and you may notice a squeaking noise when the drum turns.

Any dryer can make a squeaking noise. In the case of the Frigidaire, worn or defective bearings are responsible for much of the sound.

When you hear the sound of something failing, it’s best to stop using the appliance immediately. The most common cause of failure for a dryer is the rear bearing or drum. This can be either replaced or repaired with a part from your local hardware store — in some cases, it might be best to simply replace the rear bearing.

Whether you’re capable of repairing your washing machine yourself or not, it’s not worth the risk to try it. Washing machines are heavy and very delicate, making them difficult to move around and disassemble on your own. A loose bearing could force you to throw out your appliance if you’re not careful.

Stuck Blower Wheel

The dryer’s blower wheel is one of the key components — it pulls the hot air from the front of the drum through the clothes and then pushes it out through the back. It’s necessary for the dryer to function, but if it breaks or stops working, it can cause a lot of problems.

Frigidaire dryers utilize a blower wheel for increased air velocity and consistent operation. Unfortunately, its design means that it may get stuck on occasion. If your Frigidaire dryer’s blower wheel gets stuck, you’ll notice decreased airflow and hotter than usual air.

A dryer can develop dryer squeak due to a variety of issues, such as dust in the tub or blower wheel. A stuck blower wheel can cause a terrible noise coming from your dryer and prevent the machine from turning properly.

Turn off the dryer and disconnect the power source. Then, remove the venting from the dryer’s back panel. Generally, you should be able to spot an air inlet filter at the rear of a dryer door that you can pull out. Once the filter is removed, you’ll find a blower wheel; it’s usually held in place by two retaining screws.

It’s easy to fix a stuck dryer blower wheel — all you need to do is remove the rear panel. It’s the easiest part of your dryer to access, and it should be marked with screws on the exterior. The blower wheel will be behind this panel, and it should be easy to see once you remove it. If your dryer’s blower wheel is only turning with help, then it might be the issue.

Open your dryer and shine a flashlight on the blower wheel, also called the venturi. Look for anything blocking it from spinning freely. If you can’t find anything, remove the wheel entirely and check for obstructions.

Cleaning the dryer blower wheel is one of the most common repair tasks you’ll do at home on your dryer. Since it’s mounted right in front of the fan, it’s easily clogged with lint. When this happens, the dryer stops working properly — causing laundry to take longer to dry and increasing drying time, energy use, and utility bills.