How to Troubleshoot a Noisy Samsung Front Load Dryer

Stop using the dryer until you find and fix the source of the noise.

Use a screwdriver to remove the screws from the top rear of the dryer.

Slide the top panel toward the back of the dryer, and lift it off to expose the drum area.

Remove any screws securing the plastic panel near the control console, if present on the model.

Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry up the retention tabs on the plastic housing.

Roll the console forward to expose the wiring harnesses behind it.

Disconnect the wire harnesses from the console.

Rotate the console forward to about a 90° angle, and pull it out to release the retention tabs holding it to the dryer frame.

Open the dryer door.

Remove the two screws just below the drum opening.

Remove the four screws securing the door frame to the bulkhead, with two screws on each side.

Press in the two tabs that retain the door, then pull the door forward, lift it up, and remove it from the dryer.

Disconnect the wire harness from the door switch to fully free the door.

Disconnect the wire harness for the door light switch.

Use a screwdriver to remove the four screws securing the top metal bracket.

Lift the bracket out, and guide the small metal fingers on each side out of the dryer frame slots.

Release the bulkhead wiring harness from its retention tabs, and disconnect it as needed to clear the bulkhead.

Disconnect the moisture sensor wire harness before attempting to remove the bulkhead.

Remove the four screws holding the bulkhead to the dryer frame.

Remove the two screws securing the blower housing piece to the bulkhead.

Remove the three screws securing the blower housing.

Lift the bulkhead up to clear the side tabs it rests on, and pull the bulkhead assembly off the dryer.

Reach in and locate the idler pulley by feel.

Push the idler pulley counterclockwise from your perspective to release belt tension.

Slip the belt off the idler pulley or the motor housing while holding the idler pulley in the released position.

Use the belt on the drum as a handle to lift the drum up, and remove it from the dryer cabinet.

Clean lint and buildup from inside the dryer while it is open.

Inspect the blower wheel at the very front of the dryer for dirt buildup.

Check the blower wheel for obstructions that could get past the filter, such as a pencil, tweezers, or another small object.

Spin the blower fan by hand to check for grinding or screaming noises.

Listen for noise coming from the motor, which can indicate a bad motor bearing.

Replace the motor if it makes a terrible noise during this inspection.

Inspect the idler pulley for wear, cracking, missing plastic, or heavy discoloration.

Remove and replace the idler pulley if needed, because it is secured with a single screw on the model shown.

Inspect all drum rollers, including the rear rollers and the rollers on the front bulkhead.

Replace any roller that is flat-spotted, damaged, or not spinning properly.

Remove the heat canister retention screw at the front of the canister.

Disconnect the two wires that attach to the heat canister from the wire harness, and remove the canister from the rear bulkhead.

Remove the blue clip from the steam port water line using needle-nose pliers.

Press in on the collar at the steam port, and pull the water line out of the port.

Remove the screws from the back of the dryer that secure the rear bulkhead to the chassis.

Lift the rear bulkhead up to release it from the two tabs, and remove the bulkhead assembly from the dryer.

Flip the rear bulkhead onto its back to make the rollers easier to work on.

Use an 8 mm tool and a 17 mm or 18 mm socket to loosen the roller shaft hardware, depending on the model.

Hold the roller side with the 8 mm tool while using the socket wrench to remove the large nut.

Remove the roller, and note the orientation of the two large washers.

Install the new roller and shaft, and reinstall the washers in the same orientation as they came off.

Hand-tighten the hardware, then use the socket wrench and the 8 mm tool to fully tighten it.

Set the rear bulkhead into the dryer so it slides into and rests on the two tabs at the top of the chassis.

Reinsert the steam port water line, and reinstall the blue clip.

Reinstall the rear bulkhead screws to secure the bulkhead to the dryer chassis.

Slot the heat canister into the rear bulkhead tabs, and set it onto the canister stool.

Align the canister finger into the stool slot, and reinstall the Phillips screw to secure the canister.

Reconnect the red and blue wires to the element canister.

Inspect the drum for sheared metal or damage caused by a failed roller or obstruction.

Set the drum back into the dryer cabinet.

Route the belt back onto the motor drive and idler pulley, and rotate the idler pulley counterclockwise to create enough slack to position the belt.

Reinstall the front bulkhead by resting it on its side tabs and lowering it into place.

Reinstall the screws for the bulkhead and the blower housing, including the two blower-to-bulkhead screws and the three blower housing screws.

Reconnect the moisture sensor harness and any other harnesses you disconnected from the bulkhead.

Reinstall the top metal bracket, and route its wiring back into the bulkhead retention tabs.

Reinstall the door, reconnect the door switch harness and door light switch harness, and reinstall the door frame screws and the two screws below the drum opening.

Reinstall the console, reconnect its wire harnesses, reinstall the plastic panel screws if present, and reinstall the top panel and its rear screws.