Why is My Dishwasher Making Loud Sounds?

Your Dishwasher is there to be seen and not heard. Plus they are more hygienic than hand washing and when you open the machine at the end of the cycle everything is dried up and ready to put away.

If you are lucky enough to own a dishwasher the probability is it’s hard to remember life without it. And you would definitely rather not imagine the piles of dishes that you would need to do if it breaks down. In this case, you’ll need to hire a dishwasher repair company to fix the kitchen appliance.

Do You Use a Noisy Dishwasher?

It is absolutely routine to notice a number of separate sounds while your dishwasher is running. The water entering the drum, the motor working, the dishwasher tablet drawer opening and closing as well as the buzz of the grinder blades are all normal noises.

If you get a new dishwasher these sounds are likely to be unlike your old machine, furthermore if you have installed a dishwasher for the first time they might not be the noises you expected.

Dishwasher Sounds Include:

The Sound of Water Sloshing or Swishing

Water sloshing sounds are perfectly regular, these noises can appear quite loud if you are not used to having a dishwasher although you will soon get used to them.

Water will in many cases make a hissing sound as it enters the machine and a sloshing or swishing noise as the spray arms disperse it around the drum. The machine will also repeat this process several times during the cycle.

A Pounding Sound

A thumping noise may be de to the spray arm bashing into something that is hanging down or an oversized dish. It could also be the drain line banging into the wall or cabinets.This is more likely if your dishwasher has recently been installed.

Despite the fact that this isn’t a noise your machine is designed to make it is not difficult to sort out with a little rearrangement.

Routine Humming and Buzzing Sounds

Humming sounds are regular for lots of machines. This is the noise the water makes draining out of the dishwasher. The humming is due to the vibration caused by the drain pump and thus is completely routine, it could also pause as the pump may not run continuously.

Buzzing can also be heard as a result of the fan keeps the dishwasher pump motor cool while it runs.

A lot of dishwashers also include a soft food grinder that may make a humming noise intermittently during the cycle.

Beeping at the End of the Cycle

Beeping sounds at the end of the cycle are completely regular despite the fact they could be irritating, particularly if your dishwasher completes its cycle at night. In most cases you can turn this noise off using the dishwasher controls.

Squealing Sound from a New Dishwasher

A new machine can produce a squealing sounds when it is first installed due to there not being any water in the machine. This may also result in a rattling noise and could also occur if your dishwasher hasn’t been operated for a period of time.

You may avoid this by putting water in the machine before running it for the first time or when you’ve been away.

Worrying Dishwasher Noises

It’s not uncommon to get a little uneasy if your dishwasher starts making funny sounds, however there is usually nothing to worry about.

That being said, if your machine starts making louder than normal or unusual sounds this may call for additional investigation, in particular when you’ve had the dishwasher for some time and know how it usually sounds.

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

Loud or Unusual Grinding Sounds

Although some dishwashers could make a grinding noise as part of their regular cycle if your machine unexpectedly starts making a louder than normal or strange grinding sound this is not considered a good sign and thus needs checking out.

The most common cause 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 knocking into the blades. If you suspect this could be the issue you should stop the machine and have a look. If you find anything, remove it carefully before re-starting the machine.

The other possible reason is that there is insufficient water in the dishwasher, if this is the case you should check the water inlet valve to try to determine why the machine isn’t filling with water.

Irregular Humming, Rattling or Buzzing Sounds

While humming and also buzzing noises may be completely normal they can also be a sign of a problem. A broken pump may make a loud humming or even squealing noise, if this happens it will invariably need to be replaced.

A faulty pump could also make a rattling sound.

Rattling sounds deriving from a dishwasher are often caused by plates and cutlery knocking against each other. However, unusually loud thumping can also be indicative of a plumbing issue.

If you run an empty cycle and the rattling sound continues this may be evidence of a faulty motor.

Beeping Mid-Cycle

Despite the fact that it is perfectly regular for a machine to beep at the end of the cycle, beeping during the cycle is usually your dishwasher telling you there is an error. Many dishwashers will beep if they are opened before they are finished and the cycle is paused. Or you can have to consult your owners manual.

Knocking, Clunking and Banging Sounds

A rhythmic clunking is more often than not due to the sprayer bashing something inside the dishwasher and therefore can be quickly sorted by moving your dishes. Things descending from the racks is often the problem.

It could be worthwhile checking the arm can rotate without obstruction each time you use your machine to stop this from happening as it also means your dishes aren’t being cleaned effectively.

Banging, however, is more often a result of a plumbing issue known as water hammer. The banging noise is related to the water pressure in the pipes and therefore often occurs when the machine is demanding more water than the pipes feeding it are able to provide.

Water hammer can also be the reason behind rattling in the pipes.

Unluckily there isn’t much you can do to solve this without professional help therefore it’s best to phone a plumber if you imagine this is an issue.

Mending your Dishwasher

Broken pumps as well as motors are often responsible for strange loud noises coming from your dishwasher. Luckily these parts can be replaced so you shouldn’t need to replace your machine. You might even be able to to the repair yourself or you could need to phone a local engineer.