For a noisy LG DLEX6500 the manual points at installation first: the dryer must stand level on a solid floor with a slope of at most 1 inch, with a little space around it so vibration does not pass to a washer or wall. A sudden squeal, thump or scrape is a different matter. LG says to unplug the dryer if you hear a strange sound, and to call LG if it comes with a chemical or burning smell or smoke.
Differential
Likely causes of “LG electric or gas dryer makes squealing, thumping, scraping or rattling noises”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The dryer is not level or the floor is soft
What separates it The dryer rocks or vibrates and the sound carries through the floor
How to confirm Press the corners for rocking, adjust the feet and check the floor slope is under 1 inch
- 2
The cabinet touches the wall or a neighboring washer
What separates it A buzz or rattle that stops when you press the cabinet
How to confirm Leave a little space so vibration cannot pass between appliances
- 3
Something inside the drum
What separates it A regular thump or click that repeats once on every turn of the drum
How to confirm Empty the drum and look for coins, zips or buttons in the door opening
- 4
A worn drive part
What separates it A rumble, squeal or scrape while the cycle runs
How to confirm Unplug the dryer and turn the drum by hand; a rough or squealing turn means a technician visit
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- What the noise sounds like: thump, squeal, rattle, grind or buzz
- Whether it happens with an empty drum or only with a load
- Whether the noise changes when you press on the cabinet
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedEmpty the drum and run it
ReversibleUnplug the dryer, take out the clothes and run an empty tumble for a minute. If the noise goes away, it came from items in the load, such as zips or buttons.
Check the level
ReversiblePress each corner. LG says the dryer must sit on a solid floor with a slope of at most 1 inch, and the leveling feet adjust for uneven floors.
Check the clearances
ReversibleMake sure the cabinet is not touching the wall, a cabinet or a washer, and leave a little space so vibration does not transfer.
Look at the door opening and drum front
ReversibleUse a flashlight to look for coins, keys and small items caught between the drum and the front, with the dryer unplugged.
Try the drum by hand
ReversibleWith the dryer unplugged, turn the drum. A rough, gritty or squealing turn is a drive fault, and LG says qualified service personnel must do that repair.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Installation numbers from the manual
- Solid floor, at most 1 inch (2.5 cm) of slope, leveling feet, a little space around the dryer, and 18 inches (45.7 cm) above the floor in a garage.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models DLEX5500, DLEX4000, DLGX6501, DLHC5502, DLHC1455, WKEX200H, DLEX4500, DLGX4001.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the noise is grinding or squealing and continues with an empty, level dryer, call LG service
- !If any smoke or burning smell comes with the sound, unplug the dryer at once and call LG
- !If the dryer stands level and clear but shakes hard, call LG service before it damages the floor
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Is some noise normal?+
Yes. LG's warranty excludes any noises associated with normal operation, so a steady tumble sound is not a fault.
Why does the dryer vibrate?+
Usually an unlevel dryer or a weak floor. The manual says to level the appliance and keep floor slope to 1 inch or less.
Does stacking make it louder?+
It can. The manual says a little space around the dryer keeps vibration from passing between appliances.
What if I hear a strange sound and smell burning?+
Unplug the dryer immediately and contact LG, per the manual's safety instructions.
Can I lubricate the drum myself?+
No. The manual says not to repair or replace parts yourself.
Is a garage install different?+
The manual says a garage installation needs the dryer at least 18 inches (45.7 cm) above the floor.
How do I level the feet?+
Adjust the leveling feet at the front and check with a level, then press each corner to confirm it does not rock.
Is a squeal at start-up normal?+
A brief squeal in the first few turns can be a belt or drum seating; it is not on LG's list of normal sounds. If it continues past the first few turns, have it checked.