Why is My Treadmill Squeaking and How Do I Stop It?

Noises can be caused by bearings, a misaligned part, a fraying belt, a loose roller pulley, or a worn motor belt. If you believe it to be a bearing, read our help topic on how to locate bearing noise in our Troubleshooting section. 

What to check

Check the drive system to see if any part is scraping on another part. The belt should be aligned, pulleys should be aligned, and the motor fan and the "fins" that move inside the speed sensor are all areas to check. Check the belt guides under the treadmill. If they are too aggressively pushing into the belt, it can cause a whining noise. You can just bend the guides if needed.

Drive Belt Noise

A screeching noise is normally caused by a worn motor belt or a loose pulley on the front roller. Read our Belt Slipping help topic in our troubleshooting section in order to learn how to spot a loose pulley. If the pulley checks out and the bearings are fine, replace the motor belt. 

Motor and Bearing Noise

Disconnect the motor belt and turn on the treadmill and listen to the motor. You can get bad brush noise if the motor gets too hot and deforms either the com, brushes, or has a short. If you have bearing noise in one of the rollers or the motors we can either typically repair the part for you or the part will have to be replaced. 

If it is making a squeaking noise like a mouse, many times this is a motor belt as well. Try a bit of automotive fan belt dressing that we sell or you can get at any auto parts store. If the problem persists, replace the motor belt.

Why is my treadmill so loud?

Treadmill noises can result from various issues, including bearings, misaligned parts, fraying belt, loose roller pulley, or a worn motor belt. Identifying the specific cause can help address the loud noise.

How can I make my desk treadmill quieter?

To make your desk treadmill quieter, follow these steps: check for bearing noise and read the troubleshooting guide for locating it; inspect the drive system for parts scraping against each other; ensure proper alignment of the belt, pulleys, motor fan, and speed sensor, check and adjust the belt guides to avoid aggressive pressure on the belt; address screeching noise by examining the motor belt and front roller pulley; try automotive fan belt dressing if squeaking persists, or replace the motor belt if needed.

Why is my treadmill squeaking when I run on it?

Squeaking noises while running on the treadmill can often be attributed to the motor belt. The belt may need replacement if the issue persists after troubleshooting other possible causes.

How do I know if my treadmill needs lubricant?

IIf you hear squeaking or friction-like noises, it might indicate the treadmill needs lubrication. Refer to the manufacturer's guidelines to know the proper lubrication procedure for your treadmill model.

Are all treadmills noisy?

While most treadmills aim to operate quietly, noise levels can vary depending on factors such as model quality, maintenance, and age. Regular maintenance and troubleshooting noisy parts can help minimize treadmill noise

Nordictrack is one of, if not the most popular residential brands on the market. Naturally, we get more questions about noises on a Nordictrack than any other brand typically because of popularity. Model quality, maintenance and age is also a big factor, the cheaper the unit the noisier it is likely to be. Be sure to properly maintain the machine and keep the belt lubricated to minimize noise.

Is your Nordictrack treadmill making noise when running? If you have a Nordictrack treadmill making clicking noise or you can hear the walking pad making noise it is more than likely coming from the walking belt. If the clicking noise seems to be in sync with the rotation of the belt, it could be as simple as the belt seam passing over the rollers.