Why is My Dishwasher Making Loud Sounds?

Your Dishwasher is designed to make life easier. Plus they are more hygienic than hand washing and when you open the machine when they are finished everything is dry and ready to put away.

If you are fortunate enough to have a dishwasher the chances are it’s difficult to contemplate the idea of not having one. Moreover you would ideally avoid the mountain of washing up that you would need to do if it develops a fault. If that happens, you’ll need to call a dishwasher repair company to repair the kitchen appliance.

Do You Have a Rowdy Dishwasher?

It is perfectly normal to hear an assortment of distinct sounds while your dishwasher is running. The water running into the drum, the motor spinning, the detergent compartment clicking open and the buzz of the soft food grinder are all regular noises.

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

Dishwasher Sounds Include:

A Water Sloshing or Swishing Noise

Water sloshing sounds are completely routine, they may seem quite noisy to begin with though you will soon get used to them.

Water can in many cases make a hissing noise as it comes through the water inlet valve and a sloshing or swishing sound as the spray arms rotate. The dishwasher will also drain and refill during the cycle.

A Pounding Sound

A thumping sound can be the result of the sprayer bumping against something that is dangling or a large dish. It could also be the drain pipe banging into the wall or cabinets.

Despite the fact that these aren’t noises your machine should be making it is not difficult to rectify with a little rearrangement.

Normal Humming and Buzzing Sounds

Humming noises are normal for plenty of machines. It is the sound of water pumping out of the machine. The humming is due to the vibration caused by the drain pump and thus is completely normal, it could also stop and start as the pump helps push food debris and water out of the machine.

Buzzing may additionally be a result of the fan keeps the dishwasher motor cool while it runs.

Many dishwashers also make use of a food disposal grinder that may make a humming noise during the cycle.

Beeping When the Cycle Finishes

Beeping noises when the cycles has finished are perfectly normal although they may be irritating, especially if your machine ends 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 all be slightly different.

Squealing from a New Dishwasher

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

You may stop this from happening by putting water in the drum before running it for the first time or after you’ve been away.

Abnormal Dishwasher Noises

It’s not unusual to be a little on edge if your dishwasher starts making funny noises, however there is usually nothing to worry about.

However, if there are loud or unusual noises coming from your dishwasher this could call for further investigation, in particular if you’ve had the machine for a while and know how it usually sounds.

Don’t forget, if you are going to start taking your machine apart you should always turn off the power first.

Loud or Unusual Grinding Sounds

Despite the fact that some machines may make a grinding noise as part of their routine cycle if your machine suddenly starts making a louder than normal or unusual grinding sound this is often a sign of an issue and needs further investigation.

The most common issue will be an item such as an olive stone or corn kernel is caught in either the the waste disposal or the drain impeller, and therefore is grinding into the blades. If you suspect this might be the problem you should stop the machine and check. If you find something, carefully take it out before re-starting the machine.

The other potential reason is a lack of water in the dishwasher, if this is the case you should check the water inlet to try to find out why the dishwasher isn’t filling with water.

Abnormal Humming, Rattling or Buzzing Sounds

While humming and buzzing noises could be perfectly regular they can also indicate a fault. A damaged pump could make a high pitched humming or even shrieking noise, in this case you may need a replacement part.

A broken pump can also produce a rattling sound.

Rattling sounds deriving from a dishwasher are most likely a result of dishes or cutlery hitting into one another. Nonetheless, particularly loud thumping may also be a plumbing issue.

To check, run an empty cycle and if the rattling sound is still there this could be evidence of a damaged pump.

Beeping During the Cycle

Despite the fact that it is absolutely regular for a dishwasher to beep when it is finished, beeping mid cycle is usually your machine letting you know there is a fault. Many machines will alert you if they are interrupted half way through the cycle so that the cycle is paused. Or you may have to consult the owners manual.

Knocking, Clunking and Banging Sounds

A rhythmical thumping is most likely due to the spray arm bashing something inside the machine and may be quickly rectified by moving your dishes. Things hanging down from the shelves is often the problem.

It could be a good idea to check that the arm can rotate freely routinely to prevent this from happening as it has a side effect of meaning your dishes don’t get cleaned so well.

Banging, however, is often an indication of a household plumbing problem known as water hammer. The banging noise is related to the water pressure in the pipes and thus often occurs when the dishwasher is demanding more water than the pipes feeding it can provide.

Water hammer can also cause banging in the pipes.

Unfortunately there isn’t much you are able to do to resolve this on your own and so it’s easiest to call a plumber if you suspect this is an issue.

Mending your Dishwasher

Damaged pumps and motors are often responsible for unusual loud noises emanating from your dishwasher. The good news is these parts can be replaced so you shouldn’t need a whole new machine. You could even be able to to the repair yourself or you may wish to call a local engineer.