What Causes My Maytag Dryer to Make a Thumping Sound?

New Installation

Due to their size, weight and somewhat delicate components, when a dryer is brand new and shipped or delivered to a home, it comes with a lot of packaging material. This material is located not only on the sides of the unit but along the back, front, top and bottom, as well as inside the drum. It is important to check for any remaining shipping material if there is a loud thumping noise when the dryer is first used.

When the Maytag dryer has not been used recently, the rollers have not been moving. This means that the rollers can flatten out slightly from remaining in the same position and under the weight of the glides. The dryer then makes a thumping noise initially during operation as the rollers start to move and return to their normal shape. The sound should diminish after only a few minutes and should go away entirely by the end of the cycle.

Large items such as sheets or blankets can get tangled up together in the dryer and create a large ball, which then thumps around as it tumbles. When washing large, bulky items, you may want to add a few other smaller pieces to help mix up items. Remember to keep the overall load size to a moderate level. Likewise, overloading the dryer with too many items in general can result in the pieces tangling together and making a loud thumping sound. Medium-sized loads are the best prevention for this problem.

If the Maytag dryer is making a thumping sound and rocking or vibrating at the same time, the reason might be an overloaded drum, but it might also be the placement or installation of the dryer. Maytag dryer legs can be adjusted, which may be necessary if the legs are not level on the ground. In addition, if the floor is too weak to hold the dryer's weight, the dryer may thump or vibrate during use. If possible, the dryer should be moved to a better location.