The short answer
New noise from a Blomberg dryer is most often something in the drum or in the lint path rather than a bearing. Heat-pump models also add a compressor, which produces a low hum and an occasional click that owners moving from a vented dryer are not expecting and often report as a fault.
What you are seeing
- A rhythmic clatter that keeps time with the drum
- A scraping or squealing that rises with drum speed
- A low hum present throughout the cycle
- Clicking heard at intervals rather than continuously
- A rumble that is worse with a heavy load than a light one
- A near-miss symptom: a rattle from the pipework or the floor, which is the machine moving rather than failing
- Body: The character and timing of the noise identify it: A rhythmic clatter that keeps time with the drum. A scraping or squealing that rises with drum speed. A low hum present throughout the cycle. Clicking heard at intervals rather than continuously. A rumble that is worse with a heavy load than a light one. A near-miss symptom: a rattle from the pipework or the floor, which is the machine moving rather than failing.
Causes, most likely first
- An object in the drum or the lint chamber — Why: coins, buttons and hairclips fall past the filter into the chamber below and clatter once per drum revolution, which is the most common noise complaint of all.
- Normal compressor noise on a heat-pump model — Why: a low hum and periodic clicks are how this machine sounds, and they are new only to owners replacing a vented dryer.
- The machine not level or touching a wall — Why: a dryer that rocks on an uneven floor transmits ordinary vibration into the room and sounds far worse than it is.
- A worn drum support or felt seal — Why: a scrape or squeal that rises with drum speed, and it usually starts intermittently and becomes constant.
- A worn drum belt or idler pulley — Why: a rhythmic thumping in time with the drum that is unaffected by load, and it worsens steadily rather than suddenly.
- A failing fan or motor bearing — Why: a continuous whine unaffected by opening the door mid-cycle, and it is the least common of these but the most expensive.
- Body: Ranked for a ventless drum with a compressor behind it: First, An object in the drum or the lint chamber: coins, buttons and hairclips fall past the filter into the chamber below and clatter once per drum revolution, which is the most common noise complaint of all. Second, Normal compressor noise on a heat-pump model: a low hum and periodic clicks are how this machine sounds, and they are new only to owners replacing a vented dryer. Third, The machine not level or touching a wall: a dryer that rocks on an uneven floor transmits ordinary vibration into the room and sounds far worse than it is. Fourth, A worn drum support or felt seal: a scrape or squeal that rises with drum speed, and it usually starts intermittently and becomes constant. Fifth, A worn drum belt or idler pulley: a rhythmic thumping in time with the drum that is unaffected by load, and it worsens steadily rather than suddenly. Sixth, A failing fan or motor bearing: a continuous whine unaffected by opening the door mid-cycle, and it is the least common of these but the most expensive.
What to check, in order
- empty the drum, remove the filter and look in the chamber beneath it for coins and buttons.
- rock the machine at each corner to check it stands level and is not touching a wall or a neighbouring machine.
- run it empty: a noise that vanishes with an empty drum was the load, and one that remains is mechanical.
- note whether the noise keeps time with the drum or is continuous, since that separates a belt or support from a bearing.
- Body: Eliminate the free causes first: First, empty the drum, remove the filter and look in the chamber beneath it for coins and buttons. Second, rock the machine at each corner to check it stands level and is not touching a wall or a neighbouring machine. Third, run it empty: a noise that vanishes with an empty drum was the load, and one that remains is mechanical. Fourth, note whether the noise keeps time with the drum or is continuous, since that separates a belt or support from a bearing.
Checks you can do yourself
- Switch off at the breaker, empty the drum and run a hand round the drum seam for trapped items — Tools: torch — Time estimate: a few minutes
- Remove the lint filter and look into the chamber below it for coins, clips and buttons — Tools: torch — Time estimate: a few minutes
- Check the machine is level by rocking each corner, and adjust the feet until it sits firm — Tools: adjustable spanner — Time estimate: a few minutes
- Confirm the machine is not touching a wall, a worktop or a washing machine beside it — Tools: none — Time estimate: a few minutes
- Run a short cycle with the drum empty and note whether the noise is rhythmic or continuous — Tools: none — Time estimate: half an hour or so
- Body: A few minutes of checking saves a call-out: Switch off at the breaker, empty the drum and run a hand round the drum seam for trapped items (torch; a few minutes). Remove the lint filter and look into the chamber below it for coins, clips and buttons (torch; a few minutes). Check the machine is level by rocking each corner, and adjust the feet until it sits firm (adjustable spanner; a few minutes). Confirm the machine is not touching a wall, a worktop or a washing machine beside it (none; a few minutes). Run a short cycle with the drum empty and note whether the noise is rhythmic or continuous (none; half an hour or so).
Safety first
Safety
Unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before removing any panel. A capacitor can hold a charge after the power is off. Do not reach into the lint chamber with the machine running, and never remove the drum panel to investigate a noise: the drum, the belt and the fan can move under spring tension even with the power off. unplug-before-service
When to stop and call a technician
These need the machine opened: The noise persists with an empty drum and a clear lint chamber. A scrape or squeal that rises with drum speed. A grinding noise that has worsened over weeks. A rhythmic thump that is unaffected by load size. The noise persists with an empty drum and a clear lint chamber A scrape or squeal that rises with drum speed A grinding noise that has worsened over weeks A rhythmic thump that is unaffected by load size
Nearest pages of the same kind
What this page does not cover
This page is generalized across every dryer sold under the Blomberg name: it separates neither the heat-pump models from the condenser models and one control generation from another, and it names no individual model. Where a family- or model-specific page exists it is linked here and it outranks this one for that machine; at present no page beneath this one narrows to a single family, so treat the ranking above as the brand-level pattern rather than a reading of your serial plate. For the other faults that turn up on this machine, start from Common Blomberg Dryer Problems.
Related pages
- Common Blomberg Dryer Problems
- Blomberg Dryer: Does Not Clean or Dry
- Blomberg Dryer: Controls, Display or Error Code
- Blomberg Dryer: Cycle Will Not Run or Complete
- Blomberg Dryer: Door, Latch or Seal Fault
- Blomberg Dryer: Will Not Drain
- Blomberg Dryer: Electrical, Fire or Gas Hazard
- Blomberg Dryer: Not Heating
Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
