Why is My Dishwasher Making Loud Sounds?

Home Appliances like a dishwasher are there to be seen and not heard. On top of that they are more hygienic than hand washing and when they are finished everything is already dry and ready to put away.

If you are lucky enough to use a dishwasher the probability is it’s hard to contemplate life without it. Furthermore most people would prefer not to the piles of washing up you would need to do if it develops a fault. If that happens, you will want to hire a dishwasher repair company to fix the appliance.

Is Your Dishwasher Too Loud?

It is completely regular for a dishwasher to produce a variety of different sounds while running. The water entering the machine, the motor running, the detergent drawer opening and closing as well as the hum of the grinder are all regular noises.

If you replace your machine these noises may be inconsistent from your old dishwasher, moreover if you have installed a dishwasher for the first time they might not be the sounds you expected.

Dishwasher Sounds Include:

Water Sound

Hearing water gurgling and sloshing around is perfectly normal, these noises can seem pretty loud if you are not used to having a dishwasher but they are nothing to worry about.

Water will regularly produce a hissing sound as it enters the machine and a sloshing or swishing sound as the spray arms rotate. The dishwasher will also repeat this process during the cycle.

A Thumping Noise

A pounding sound can happen because of the spray arm hitting against something that is dangling from the racks or a large dish. It could also be the drain pipe thumping against the wall or cabinets.This is more likely if your dishwasher has recently been installed.

Although these aren’t noises your machine is designed to make it is simple to fix with a little rearrangement.

Normal Humming and Buzzing Sounds

Humming noises are normal for lots of models. It is the noise the water makes draining out of the machine. The humming is due to the drain pump vibrating as it operates and thus is perfectly normal, it could also stop and start as the pump helps push food debris and water out of the machine.

Humming may also be a result of the fan keeps the motor cool while it works.

Many machines also have a soft food grinder that can produce a humming noise intermittently during the cycle.

Beeping When the Cycle Has Finished

Beeping sounds when the cycles finishes are completely normal despite the fact they may be irritating, particularly if your dishwasher finishes running in the middle of the night. You should be able to switch the beeping off on the control panel. Check your instructions for details as models will vary.

Squealing from a New Dishwasher

A new machine may produce a squealing noise the first few times it is run due to there not being any water in the drum. This can also result in a rattling sound and may also occur if your dishwasher hasn’t been used for a period of time.

You can stop this from happening by putting water in the dishwasher before turning it on for the first time or when you’ve been away.

Worrying Dishwasher Noises

If you hear unusual sounds coming from your dishwasher, getting a little uneasy is a very normal reaction but usually, it’s there’s no cause for concern.

However, if your dishwasher starts making louder than normal or unusual noises this could call for further investigation, especially when you’ve had the dishwasher for some time and thus know how it usually sounds.

Don’t forget, always turn the power off to your machine before taking it apart.

A Loud or Unusual Grinding Noise

Despite the fact that some machines can produce a grinding noise as part of their regular cycle if your machine suddenly starts making a louder than normal or unusual grinding sound this is often a sign of an issue and therefore needs checking out.

The most likely issue will be that something is caught in either the the waste disposal or the drain impeller, and therefore is knocking against the blades. If you suspect this might be the issue you need to stop the machine and check. If you find something, remove it carefully before re-starting the machine.

Another potential issue is that there is insufficient water in the machine, in which case, you can check the water inlet valve to try to find out why the dishwasher doesn’t have enough water.

Abnormal Humming, Rattling or Buzzing Sounds

While humming as well as buzzing noises may be absolutely regular they may also indicate a fault. A faulty motor could produce a irregular humming or even squealing noise, in this case you may need a replacement part.

A damaged motor could also produce a rattling sound.

Rattling noises deriving from a dishwasher are most likely caused by plates or cutlery bashing against each other. Nonetheless, unusually noisy banging can also be a water problem.

If you run an empty cycle and the rattling sound persists this may indicate a damaged pump.

Beeping Mid-Cycle

Although it is perfectly regular for a machine to beep when it is finished, beeping half way through the cycle is usually your machine letting you know there is an error. Many machines will alert you if they are opened mid-cycle and the cycle is paused. Or you can need to have a look at the owners manual.

Knocking, Clunking and Banging Noises

A rhythmic clunking is most likely due to the spray arm bashing an obstruction inside the dishwasher and thus may be quickly sorted by rearranging your dishes. Things dangling from the racks is the most likely cause of this.

It could be a good idea to check that the arm can rotate freely routinely to prevent this from being an issue as it has a side effect of meaning your dishes aren’t being cleaned effectively.

Banging, however, is more often an indication of a household plumbing problem often referred to as water hammer. The banging noise is related to the water pressure in the pipes and thus usually happens when the valves are opening and closing.

Water hammer may also cause banging in the pipes.

Regrettably there isn’t much you can do to fix this without professional help therefore it’s best to contact a plumber if you think this is an issue.

Fixing your Dishwasher

Faulty pumps or motors are the most likely cause of sudden loud sounds coming from your machine. The good news is these parts are replaceable so you shouldn’t need to replace your dishwasher. You might even be able to replace the part yourself or you might wish to phone a local engineer.