Quick answer
Regular thumping is usually an object in the drum or buttons and zips on clothes. Squeaking normally points to rollers or the idler pulley, and rubbing to the drum felt or a trapped object. A quiet, steady hum on heat-pump dryers is normal compressor operation.
Overview
The drum rides on rollers and is turned by a belt from the motor, while the blower pushes warm air through it. Wear on any of these shows up as noise before it becomes a breakdown.
Don’t ignore new noises, especially with vibration or a smell. Some sounds are normal, though: water flowing into the tank, or the compressor hum on heat-pump dryers.
Likely causes
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1
Objects in the drum or clothes
Coins, keys, metal buttons or zips knock against the drum as it turns.
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2
Worn rollers or idler pulley
A regular squeak or squeal that worsens over time — one of the commonest dryer noise faults.
Related parts: Rollers & idler pulley
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3
Drum belt
A worn or slack belt can slap or slip before it breaks.
Related parts: Drum belt
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4
Drum felt or edges
Worn seal around the drum opening causes rubbing or scraping.
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5
Blower fan
Built-up lint or a small object in the fan causes rattling or vibration.
Related parts: Blower fan
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6
Motor or compressor
A loud motor roar or irregular sound from a heat-pump compressor needs inspection.
Related parts: MotorHeat-pump system
Safe checks before calling a technician
Unplug the dryer and let it cool before any check. Don’t run it if you notice a burning smell or smoke, and don’t open the back or side panels — they hide heating elements and high-voltage wiring.
- Empty the drum and feel around it for coins or small items.
- Turn clothes with zips and metal buttons inside out and close zips before drying.
- Clean the lint filter and its housing thoroughly.
- Make sure the dryer is level and stable; if stacked on a washer, check the stacking kit is secure.
- With the dryer unplugged, turn the drum by hand: same noise, or resistance?
- Run the drum empty for a minute to see whether the noise depends on the load.
Parts involved
Rollers & idler pulley
Support the drum and tension the belt; wear causes squeaking or rubbing.
Drum belt
Wraps around the drum and transfers motion from the motor; if it breaks the motor runs but the drum stays still.
Motor
Turns the drum and often the air blower too.
Blower fan
Pushes warm air through the laundry and condenser; weakness lengthens drying and raises temperature.
Heat-pump system
A compressor and heat exchangers that heat air and condense moisture efficiently in heat-pump dryers.
When should you call a technician?
- Continuous squeaking even with an empty drum.
- Repeated slapping or scraping.
- A roar together with a burning smell or heat.
- The drum sometimes stops or turns slowly with the noise.
Need a Samsung repair technician?
Send us the model, the error code and a description of the fault — or book a technician visit in Amman, Zarqa, Salt, Madaba or Sahab.
Frequently asked questions
Is a squeaking dryer dangerous?
Not immediately, but it usually means worn rollers, and ignoring it adds load to the belt and motor. Better to have it checked early.
Why does my heat-pump dryer hum?
It has a compressor like a fridge. A quiet steady hum is normal; knocking or loud intermittent noise needs a check.
Can I oil the dryer rollers myself?
We don’t recommend it — reaching them means dismantling, and the wrong oil can attract lint and raise fire risk.