Why is My Dishwasher Making Loud Sounds?

Your Dishwasher is there to be seen and not heard. Not to mention the fact that they get better results than washing up by hand and when you open the machine when they are finished all the dishes is dried up and ready to put away.

If you own a dishwasher the probability is it’s unpleasant to imagine life without it. Furthermore you would prefer not to the piles of dishes you would need to do if it breaks down. If that happens, you’ll need to call a dishwasher repair company to fix the kitchen appliance.

Do You Use a Rowdy Dishwasher?

It is absolutely regular for your dishwasher to produce a number of different sounds during a cycle. The water entering the drum, the motor working, the detergent drawer clicking open as well as the noise of the grinder blades are all regular sounds.

If you replace your machine these sounds are likely to be different from your old machine, and if you have recently installed a dishwasher they might not be the sounds you were expecting.

Dishwasher Sounds Include:

The Sound of Water Sloshing or Swishing

Water sloshing sounds are absolutely regular, they might seem pretty loud if you are not used to having a dishwasher but you will soon get used to them.

Water can often make a hissing noise as it pushes through the inlet and a sloshing or swishing sound as the spray arms rotate. The dishwasher will also repeat this process each time it runs.

A Pounding Noise

A pounding noise could be the result of the spray arm bashing against an object that is dangling or a large dish. Alternatively, it may be the drain pipe banging against the wall or cabinets.

Despite the fact that this isn’t a noise a dishwasher is designed to make it is simple to fix with a little rearrangement.

Normal Humming and Buzzing Noises

Humming noises are regular for plenty of models. It is the sound of water draining out of the dishwasher. The humming is due to the drain pump vibrating as it operates and thus is perfectly normal, it may also stop and start as the pump helps push food debris as well as water out of the machine.

Humming can additionally be heard as a result of the fan that cools the motor while it is turning.

Plenty of dishwashers also make use of a soft food grinder that may make a buzzing noise during the cycle.

Beeping at the End of the Cycle

Beeping noises at the end of the cycle are completely normal despite the fact they may be irritating, especially if your dishwasher completes its cycle in the middle of the night. In most cases you can turn this sound off on the dishwasher controls. Check your instructions for details as models will all be slightly different.

Squealing Noise from a New Dishwasher

A new dishwasher can make a squealing noise the first few times it is run because there is no water in the machine. This could also cause a rattling noise and may also occur if your dishwasher has been out of action for a while.

You could avoid this by putting water in the machine before turning it on for the first time or after you’ve been away.

Irregular Dishwasher Noises

If you pickup unusual noises coming from your machine, being a little uneasy is a very natural reaction although usually, it’s there’s no cause for concern.

That being said, if your dishwasher starts making louder than normal or unusual sounds this may require further investigation, in particular when you’ve had your machine for a while and therefore know what is normally sounds like.

Remember, always cut the power to your machine before taking it apart.

Loud or Unusual Grinding Sounds

Although some dishwashers can make a soft grinding noise as part of their routine operation if your machine all of a sudden starts making a louder than normal or strange grinding noise this is often a sign of an issue and needs checking out.

The most likely reason will be that something is caught in either the the waste disposal or the drain impeller, and is knocking into the blades. If you suspect this could be the problem you should pause the cycle and check. If you find something, carefully take it out before re-starting the dishwasher.

The other potential reason is a lack of water in the machine, if this is the case you can have a look at the water inlet valve to try to find out why the machine doesn’t have enough water.

Irregular Humming, Rattling or Buzzing Noises

While humming and buzzing noises may be perfectly normal they may also be a sign of an issue. A damaged motor could make a irregular humming or even squealing sound, in this case you may need a replacement part.

A damaged pump may also produce a rattling sound.

Rattling sounds coming from a dishwasher are most likely a result of dishes and cutlery hitting against each other. However, unusually noisy banging may also be a water problem.

If you run an empty cycle and the rattling sound is still there this can indicate a broken motor.

Beeping Before the Cycle is Over

Although it is perfectly regular for a machine to beep when it is finished, beeping half way through the cycle is usually your dishwasher letting you know there is an error. Many dishwashers will alert you if they are opened before they are finished so that the cycle is paused. Or you could have to have a look at the manual.

Knocking, Clunking and Banging Noises

A regular knocking is most likely due to the sprayer hitting something inside the dishwasher and thus could be quickly rectified by adjusting your dishes. Things hanging down from the shelves is the most likely cause of this.

It may be worthwhile checking the arm is able to spin without obstruction regularly before starting your machine to prevent this from happening as it also means your dishes don’t get cleaned so well.

Banging, on the other hand, is often a sign of a household plumbing problem often referred to as water hammer. The banging sound is due to the water pressure in the pipes and therefore often occurs when the valves are opening and closing.

Water hammer may also cause rattling in the pipes.

Unluckily there isn’t much you can do to fix this on your own and so it’s recommended to call a plumber if you think this is the problem.

Mending your Dishwasher

Faulty pumps as well as motors are the most likely cause of strange loud sounds emanating from your dishwasher. Luckily these parts can be replaced so you shouldn’t need a whole replacement machine. You might even manage to the repair on your own or you may wish to contact a local engineer.