Is your dishwasher making loud noises during the wash cycle? Learn the most common causes and how to fix them fast with expert tips.
Why Your Dishwasher Suddenly Sounds Like It's Falling Apart
A dishwasher that starts making loud, unusual noises mid-cycle is one of those problems that's easy to ignore at first — until it gets worse. That banging, grinding, or rattling sound isn't just annoying. It's usually your appliance telling you something is wrong, and catching it early can save you from a much more expensive repair down the road. Here's what's actually going on and what you can do about it.
Common Causes of Loud Dishwasher Noises
Grinding or Grating Sounds
This is one of the most frequent complaints we hear. In many homes, the culprit turns out to be something embarrassingly simple — a small piece of broken glass, a popcorn kernel, a fruit pit, or even a chunk of a cracked dish that found its way down into the filter area or the chopper blade assembly. The chopper blade sits beneath the lower spray arm and grinds up food particles. When a hard object gets stuck in there, it makes a horrible grinding noise every time the pump runs.
Before you call anyone, remove the bottom rack, pull out the filter, and inspect the area around the pump housing. Use a flashlight. You'd be surprised what people find — we once pulled out a cherry pit and a small plastic bottle cap from the same machine. Once removed, the grinding stopped immediately.
Banging or Thumping
If you're hearing a rhythmic banging during the wash cycle, the spray arms are likely the problem. The upper or lower spray arm may be hitting dishes, utensils, or a rack that's been loaded incorrectly. This one is especially common after someone reorganizes the dishwasher in a hurry. A tall glass or a serving spoon handle sticking out at the wrong angle can get clipped by the spinning spray arm repeatedly.
The fix here is simple — reload your dishes properly. But if the spray arm itself is cracked or warped, it can wobble and bang on its own. Spin each arm by hand when the machine is empty. It should rotate freely with no resistance. If it's stiff, catches, or wobbles, replace it. Spray arms are inexpensive and snap in and out in most models without any tools.
Humming or Buzzing That's Louder Than Normal
Some humming is normal. The wash motor hums. The drain pump hums. But if it's noticeably louder than it used to be, or if it's a high-pitched whine, that usually points to a worn wash motor bearing or a failing pump motor. In many homes, we see this develop gradually over months — the noise gets a little louder each week until it becomes impossible to ignore.
A buzzing that only happens during the drain cycle often means the drain pump is partially blocked or the pump impeller is damaged. Sometimes a small piece of broken glass or a twist-tie wraps around the impeller and causes exactly this kind of noise. Cleaning it out can solve the problem. If the impeller itself is cracked or broken, the pump will need to be replaced.
Rattling During the Entire Cycle
Rattling is almost always a loading issue or a loose internal component. Check that your dish racks are seated properly in their tracks. Over time, the rack wheels wear out and the rack can shift during the cycle, causing a loose rattle. Replacement rack wheel kits are available for most major brands and are a simple DIY fix.
Also check that nothing is vibrating against the cabinet walls or underneath the dishwasher. Loose drain hoses or water supply lines that aren't properly secured
