Electrolux Dryer: rattling; shaking

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Electrolux dryer making a rattling or shaking noise? This issue is often caused by loose parts clanking inside the drum or excessive vibration due to uneven loads. Identifying the root cause is essential for proper repairs and to ensure your dryer operates smoothly.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Electrolux Models

Electrolux official support specifically identifies foreign objects and clothing hardware as a cause of rattling/clanking, suggests empty load testing.

Possible Causes

Foreign objects or clothing hardware in drum

How to Identify: Rattling sounds coinciding with specific loads; removing items stops noise

Part: Drum interior / foreign object

Uneven load or overloaded drum causing vibration

How to Identify: Noise more pronounced with heavy/bulky items (sheets/towels; redistributing load reduces noise

Part: Drum / load distribution

Worn or damaged drum support rollers

How to Identify: Drum does not spin smoothly by hand; visible wear on rollers; vibration increases over time

Part: Drum support rollers and axles

Worn idler pulley or idler assembly

How to Identify: Noise increases with drum rotation; pulley wonâ€™t spin freely by hand; squeaking/rattling present

Part: Idler pulley/assembly

Blower wheel loose or obstructed

How to Identify: Rattling/wobbling from airflow components; weak airflow from vent

Part: Blower wheel and housing

Worn or damaged drum bearing

How to Identify: Grinding/rattling as drum turns; resistance when rotating drum by hand

Part: Drum bearing

DIY Solutions

Check for foreign objects and clothing hardware

Easy 5-15 minutes

Stop dryer and open drum
Inspect inside drum and lint trap for coins, metal, or other objects
Remove any found items; run empty cycle to confirm noise gone

⚠️ Safety First: Always stop and disconnect power before inspecting interior

Redistribute or reduce load

Easy 5 minutes

Open dryer mid-cycle (if safe) or stop cycle
Redistribute heavy/bulky items evenly
Run dryer to see if noise persists

Level dryer externally

Easy 10 minutes

Tools Needed: Level tool, Wrench for leveling feet

Place level on dryer top
Adjust leveling feet until unit is balanced
Test run and observe vibration

Professional Repairs

Replace drum support rollers and axles

Estimated Cost: $50 - $150

Replace idler pulley/assembly

Estimated Cost: $30 - $100

Replace blower wheel

Estimated Cost: $40 - $120

Replace drum bearing

Estimated Cost: $50 - $150

When to Call a Professional

Noise persists after removing foreign objects and load redistribution

Drum does not spin freely by hand

Visible wear on internal components (rollers, bearings, pulleys)

Obstruction deep within blower or motor assemblies

Preventive Maintenance

Clean lint filter and vent regularly: Foreign objects and airflow blockages that contribute to noise
Frequency: After every few loads
Inspect drum rollers and idler components annually: Wear-related vibration and noise
Frequency: Annually

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Electrolux Dryer rattling; shaking?

Common causes include foreign objects in the drum, uneven loads, or worn drum support rollers.

How do I fix Electrolux Dryer rattling; shaking myself?

Check for foreign objects, redistribute the load, or level the dryer to resolve the issue.

How much does it cost to fix rattling; shaking?

Professional repairs range from $30 to $150, depending on the specific issue.

When should I call a technician for rattling; shaking?

If DIY solutions don't work or if the issue involves worn parts, it's best to consult a technician.

References & Sources

Laundry Dryer Noises - Electrolux Official
Is it normal for my dryer to make sounds or noises? Official
5 Reasons for an Electrolux Dryer Making Noise Repair-Blog

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

75%

DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

Loose or damaged drum support rollers
Worn or broken belt
Unbalanced load or improper leveling of the dryer

User Suggested Solutions

Check and tighten or replace the drum support rollers. To do this, unplug the dryer, remove the front panel, and inspect the rollers for wear. Replace if necessary.
Inspect and replace the drive belt. Unplug the dryer, remove the front panel, and check the condition of the belt. If it's worn or broken, replace it with a new one.
Ensure the dryer is properly leveled. Adjust the leveling feet if the dryer is shaking during operation. Also, redistribute the load inside the drum to avoid imbalance.