LG Dryer Making Scraping Noise? How to Diagnose and Fix It Fast
Introduction that hooks the reader and sets expectations
Hearing a metallic scrape from your laundry room is more than annoying, it often means a part inside your machine is rubbing or failing, which can lead to bigger damage or a laundry day ruined. Searches like "lg dryer making scraping noise" are common, because this specific sound points to a small set of likely causes, not a mystery.
In the next few minutes you will learn how to quickly pinpoint the source, from a trapped coin to worn drum bearings, plus exact, step by step fixes you can try at home. I will show five quick checks you can do in about 10 minutes, repair options with realistic time estimates, and clear signs it is time to call a pro. Follow these checks, and you can stop the scraping fast.
Quick triage checklist you can try in five minutes
If your LG dryer making scraping noise, try these five fast checks before calling someone.
- Empty the drum, then rotate it by hand, listening and feeling for a rough spot or a trapped object like a coin or safety pin.
- Pull out the lint trap, clear lint, then run a finger around the trap housing to feel for debris or fabric caught in the throat.
- Inspect the door seal and drum gap visually, look for clothing edges or small items stuck between drum and cabinet.
- Run a short spin or timed dry cycle with the dryer empty, stand close and note when the scraping happens, start, middle, or stop.
- Try a small load, see if noise changes with weight, that helps narrow drum versus motor issues.
Safety first and tools you will need
Before you touch anything, kill the power. Unplug the dryer from the wall outlet; if it is hardwired flip the circuit breaker and verify with a non contact voltage tester. Remove jewelry, wear safety glasses and gloves, and keep kids and pets out of the area. Electrical shock is a hazard when an LG dryer is making scraping noise.
Essential tools
Phillips screwdriver and 1/4 inch nut driver or small socket set
Putty knife to release clips
Needle nose pliers
Flashlight or work light
Shop vac to clear lint
Replacement drum rollers or glides, rag
How to diagnose where the scraping noise is coming from
Start by powering the dryer off and unplugging it. With the drum empty, open the door and slowly rotate the drum by hand, listening and feeling for any scrape or rough spot. If you can reproduce the noise with the power off, note the drum position when it happens, that tells you whether the issue is in the drum seam, a seal, or a front bearing.
To hear the problem while the dryer runs, plug it back in and use an empty cycle or an air fluff setting; heat is not needed. Stand at the front, then the rear, and listen closely to each area for several rotations. Use a wooden spoon handle or a cardboard tube as a stethoscope, press one end to the cabinet, and put your ear to the other end to localize tiny sounds safely.
Use your palm on the top or side of the cabinet to feel vibration; stronger vibration near the back points to the motor, idler, or blower wheel, while vibration at the front suggests drum seals or rollers. If you hear sparks or smell burning, stop immediately and cut power.
Cause 1. Foreign object or clogged lint trap, how to check and remove it
If your LG dryer making scraping noise, start with the easiest checks first. Unplug the machine, pull out the lint trap, and clear any lint, coins, or threads. Shine a flashlight into the trap cavity and run your fingers along the edges, or use a vacuum crevice tool to lift hidden debris.
Next inspect the drum seam. Rotate the drum by hand and look for stuck buttons, coins, or stubborn lint caught where the drum meets the front or rear bulkhead. Use needle nose pliers or a long screwdriver wrapped in cloth to fish objects out, taking care not to scratch the drum.
Finally check the blower housing, where lodged coins often cause a scraping sound. Tip the dryer forward slightly and remove the lower access panel if yours has one, then use a shop vac and a magnet on a stick to retrieve metal items. If debris is tightly compacted, a small stiff brush plus the vacuum usually frees it. If unsure, stop and call a technician.
Cause 2. Worn drum rollers, glides, or bearing symptoms and fixes
Listen for a rhythmic scraping that changes with drum rotation, a metallic scraping that gets louder when the drum is empty, or a grinding sound that disappears when you lift the drum slightly. Those are classic signs your drum rollers, glides, or rear bearing are worn. Another quick test is to spin the drum by hand, then stop it with your palm. If it stops very quickly or feels rough and gritty, bearings or rollers are failing.
To diagnose further, unplug the dryer, remove the front panel, and support the drum. Check each roller for wobble, more than about 1/8 inch side play, and inspect glide pads for deep grooves or shiny metal where plastic should be. Replace any scored glides, cracked or flat rollers, and a damaged rear bearing.
Repair approach for hobbyist DIYers: order a dryer roller and glide kit that matches your model, plus high temperature bearing grease. Remove the drum, swap rollers and glides, clean lint and debris, lubricate bearings lightly, reassemble, and spin the drum by hand. Smooth, quiet rotation means you fixed the lg dryer making scraping noise problem.
Cause 3. Motor, idler pulley, and belt issues to inspect
Start by unplugging the dryer, then remove the front or rear access panel so you can spin the drum by hand. If the scraping happens when you turn the drum, the idler pulley or motor bearings are prime suspects. Motor bearings that wear will feel rough when you try to rotate the motor shaft, and you may hear a metallic scrape or grinding from the motor housing. An idler pulley with a failing bearing will wobble or make a steady scrape as the belt rides over it.
To test belt tension, press the belt at its longest run with moderate finger pressure; you should see roughly 1/2 inch to 1 inch of deflection. If it flops too easily, the belt is loose or stretched. Check pulley play by wiggling the idler wheel side to side; any lateral movement or rough rotation means replace it.
Replace the belt and idler pulley together; both are inexpensive and often solve scraping. Replace the motor only if its bearings are rough, or call a technician when you detect smoke, burning smells, or if electrical work is needed.
When to call a professional and what repairs typically cost
If the scraping noise continues after you replace easy parts like the lint trap or clean the blower, call a pro. Hire a technician right away if you see sparks, a burning smell, the drum will not turn, or the unit is under warranty. Typical service call fees run $60 to $120, with basic repairs costing $100 to $300 total. Expect common part costs like drum rollers or idler pulleys to be $15 to $60, blower wheels $20 to $80, belts $10 to $40, while motor or bearing jobs can push parts and labor to $400 to $700. On a service visit the tech will run diagnostics, quote a fix, and show failed parts; have your LG model number ready to speed things up.
Quick maintenance tips to prevent future scraping noises
If your LG dryer is making a scraping noise, use this short maintenance checklist to prevent repeat problems. Simple, regular care fixes most causes.
After every load, clean the lint trap and wipe the seal to stop metal on metal scraping.
Every 3 months, vacuum the vent and dryer cabinet, and check the exhaust hose for crushed sections.
Every 6 months, inspect drum rollers, glides, and the idler pulley for wear; replace if you see flat spots or wobble.
Once a year, examine the blower wheel and motor area for debris, loose screws, or rubbing.
Keep spare parts on hand, OEM drum rollers, a replacement belt, and an idler pulley, unplug dryer before any work.
Conclusion and final actionable insights
Quick recap: most LG dryer making scraping noise comes from worn drum rollers, idler pulley, or lodged debris. Safety first, unplug unit and shut off gas if applicable. Inspect drum rollers and idler for wear, clear lint from around the drum, replace faulty rollers. If unsure, call a certified appliance technician.
