I’ll never forget the first time my dishwasher started making weird noises. It went from its usual low hum to a loud grinding, then a high-pitched squeal, and finally—what sounded like a tiny jackhammer trapped inside.
At first, I thought, Maybe it’s just working extra hard. But when the noise got louder and scarier, I knew something wasn’t right. Was it about to explode? Was I going to have to wash dishes by hand forever?
Luckily, after some troubleshooting, I figured out the problem—and you can too. If your dishwasher is making strange noises, don’t panic! Let’s go step by step to figure out what’s causing the sound and how to fix it.
Step 1: Identify the Type of Noise (It Tells You A Lot!)
Before diving into fixes, listen carefully. Different noises usually point to different problems. What does your dishwasher sound like?
🔹 A loud humming or buzzing? – Might be a clogged drain pump.
🔹 A grinding or rattling noise? – Could be something stuck in the spray arm or motor.
🔹 A high-pitched squealing? – Might be a worn-out motor or bearings.
🔹 A knocking or thumping? – Could be water hammering in the pipes.
Now that you’ve identified the type of sound, let’s fix it!
Step 2: Check for Loose Silverware or Debris (It Might Be That Simple!)
Sometimes, the scariest dishwasher noises have the easiest fixes. A loose fork, spoon, or even a piece of food can get stuck in the spray arms or filter, making a horrible grinding noise.
How to Fix It:
1️⃣ Open the dishwasher and inspect the bottom.
2️⃣ Check the filter area and spray arms—look for any debris, like small bones, glass shards, or food bits.
3️⃣ Spin the spray arms manually. If they’re hitting something, remove the obstruction.
4️⃣ If you find a small object stuck in the filter, pull it out and rinse the area.
💡 Pro Tip: Always give your dishes a quick rinse before loading them. Even small food particles can get stuck and cause noisy problems later.
✅ If the noise stops after this, congrats! You fixed it.
❌ Still making noise? Keep going.
Step 3: Check the Spray Arms (They Might Be Loose or Blocked!)
If your dishwasher is making a knocking or rattling sound, one of the spray arms might be loose or hitting dishes.
How to Fix It:
1️⃣ Open the dishwasher and wiggle the spray arms.
2️⃣ If they feel loose, snap them back into place.
3️⃣ Make sure tall dishes or utensils aren’t blocking the arms from spinning.
💡 Pro Tip: If your spray arms have clogged holes, use a toothpick or a paperclip to clear out debris—this improves water flow and makes your dishwasher quieter.
✅ If your dishwasher is back to normal, great!
❌ Still noisy? Let’s check the pump.
Step 4: Clean the Drain Pump (If It’s Humming or Buzzing!)
A dishwasher’s drain pump is responsible for getting rid of dirty water. If something is blocking it, the pump can struggle and make a loud humming or buzzing noise.
How to Fix It:
1️⃣ Turn off the dishwasher and unplug it.
2️⃣ Remove the bottom rack and locate the drain pump filter (usually in the back or center).
3️⃣ Twist and pull out the filter—it might be full of gunk, food, or even small objects.
4️⃣ Rinse the filter under warm water and remove any debris inside the pump area.
5️⃣ Put everything back and run a quick cycle to test it.
💡 Pro Tip: Clean your dishwasher filter once a month to keep the drain pump running smoothly and prevent weird noises.
✅ If the noise disappears, you’ve solved the issue!
❌ Still making a racket? Let’s check the motor.
Step 5: Inspect the Motor (If It’s Making a Grinding or Squealing Sound!)
If your dishwasher is making a loud grinding or high-pitched squealing noise, it could mean the motor bearings are worn out.
How to Check It:
1️⃣ Listen to the noise closely. If it happens throughout the entire wash cycle, the motor could be the issue.
2️⃣ Open the bottom panel of the dishwasher (you may need a screwdriver).
3️⃣ Look for signs of water leaks or rust—this can indicate a failing motor.
🛠 How to Fix It:
✅ If the motor is just dirty, try cleaning around it with a dry cloth.
✅ If the motor is leaking, rusted, or sounds terrible, it might need replacing.
💡 Pro Tip: A new motor costs around $50-$100, but replacing it yourself is tricky. If your dishwasher is old (8+ years), it might be cheaper to buy a new one.
✅ If the noise is gone, your dishwasher is back to normal!
❌ Still noisy? One last thing to check.
Step 6: Check Your Water Supply (It Might Be Causing Banging or Hammering Sounds!)
If your dishwasher makes a loud banging or knocking sound, it might not be the dishwasher itself—it could be the water supply line.
What Causes This?
🔹 When water suddenly stops or starts flowing, it can create a shockwave in the pipes—this is called water hammer.
How to Fix It:
✅ Turn off the water supply to the dishwasher.
✅ Check the water valve (usually under the sink) to make sure it’s fully open.
✅ If the noise happens often, consider installing a water hammer arrestor (a small device that absorbs the shock and quiets the pipes).
💡 Pro Tip: Water hammer can also affect washing machines—if you hear banging when using both appliances, your whole plumbing system might need an arrestor!
✅ If the noise is gone, you’ve solved the mystery!
❌ Still noisy? It might be time to call a technician.
Run a Test Cycle & Listen!
Now that you’ve checked all the major causes of dishwasher noise, it’s time to run a test cycle and listen.
🔹 If the noise is gone? Congrats—you just fixed your dishwasher like a pro! 🎉
🔹 If the noise is still there? It might be a more serious motor or pump issue that requires a professional repair.
A noisy dishwasher doesn’t always mean disaster—most of the time, it’s something simple you can fix yourself!
✔️ Check for loose silverware or food debris.
✔️ Make sure the spray arms aren’t blocked or loose.
✔️ Clean the drain pump and filter to improve drainage.
✔️ Inspect the motor if the noise is grinding or squealing.
✔️ Check the water supply if you hear banging noises.
By following these steps, you just saved yourself a repair bill—and now you can enjoy the sound of a quiet, smoothly running dishwasher. No more weird noises! 🛠️🚀
Now go pour yourself a coffee and relax—you earned it! ☕😌
