Loud Dishwasher Noises

A dishwasher offers a lot of benefits like the time it saves and the drying it does once the dishes are clean. Like with any machine though, there are going to be times when problems arise and dishwasher repair is needed. Some of these problems can be characterized by different loud and unusual noises that the machine may make.

TYPICAL DISHWASHER NOISES

Here are eight of the most common noises that dishwashers make and if they are noises that need to be a cause for concern:

BUZZING NOISE

There are both natural and unnatural buzzing noises that a dishwasher may make. It is natural to hear a buzzing type sound when water is being pushed down through the drain. A noise like this can also be heard when the food disposal is doing its’ job.

This sound becomes a cause for concern when it is louder than usual and almost sounds like a banging noise. This noise is caused when the pressure of the water through the pipes is causing the pipes to bang up against whatever surroundings or structures may be around them.

HUMMING NOISE

A dull humming noise is normal to hear during the wash cycle. If the noise becomes higher pitched or louder, this is when a problem is happening. If the hum is getting louder, it may be indicative of a fan that needs to be serviced. It could also be a sign of a motor that is not working properly.

Make sure that you shut the machine off before you try to troubleshoot what may be causing the noise. The great thing is that a fan and motor can be bought and replaced without having to replace the entire machine.

GRINDING NOISE

There are reasons why a dishwasher will make a grinding noise that is normal for the function of the machine. Some of them have an electrical switching device that is controlled by a motor-driven electronic control. This grinding sound can be this motor working the dishwasher through the cycle of the machine. This is no big deal.

This noise can be a problem when it happens suddenly. If this happens, you will want to check it out when the machine is mid-cycle. Open the door, allow the steam to disperse, remove the bottom rack, and check to make sure that there isn’t something stuck in the bottom and impeding on the drain impeller (the spinning plastic blades).

You may need to remove the impeller to check for anything stuck around the chopper blade. Once you have checked for something stuck in the bottom and you deduce that this is not the problem, it may be a bad water inlet valve that is not allowing enough water into the machine. Test the valve with these instructions from DoItYourself.com.

RATTLING NOISE

This noise can simply be caused when the dishes are not loaded properly and are clanging around on one another. You can check if this is the problem by running the machine when there are no dishes in it. If the noise is still there (and it is a loud noise), it is likely to be caused by a malfunctioning motor. In this case, we recommend scheduling our professional appliance repair service to replace the motor.

SQUEALING NOISE

This noise commonly occurs in newly installed dishwashers or ones that have not been used in a while. A new machine may make squealing sounds the first few uses because they do not have water in them like they would if they have been used regularly. You can add a quart of water to the tub in the bottom in order to reduce these noises.

SNAPPING NOISE

There are a number of different things that can cause your dishwasher to make a snapping type sound. This sound can happen when you open the door if it is a model that has a detergent cup that has to be pushed closed. If it happens while the machine is running, it is likely because of the solenoid.

Throughout the cycling of the dishwasher, it fills and drains water multiple times. During these processes, a solenoid charges and it can emit a snapping noise. If the machine is not a “turn-to-close” model, the noise may be a result of a bad door hinge.

KNOCKING NOISE

A knocking noise is most likely simply caused by the spray arm hitting something as it rotates. Just check to make sure that there are no items impeding the movement of the arm and adjust anything that may be.

THUMPING NOISE

This is another noise that can be caused by the spray arm hitting something as it rotates, and you will just need to readjust things so that the arm isn’t hitting anything. It can also be caused by a drain hose hitting the wall or cabinets. The newly installed hoses and hardware may just need a little readjustment so that they are not hitting anything.