Is Your Dishwasher Making Noise? Common Sounds and What They Mean

You probably bought a dishwasher because you wanted peace of mind. Load it, press start, walk away. Simple. But when it starts grinding, rattling, or squealing halfway through dinner, that peace of mind goes right out the window. A dishwasher making noise is one of those problems you can’t really ignore. The thing runs in the background for hours, and if it’s loud, you hear it everywhere in the house.

At ASAP Appliance Repair, we’ve been in hundreds of kitchens across Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, and beyond, and this is one of the most common complaints. Some noises are harmless, but others mean a part is wearing out. Knowing the difference saves you money and stops small problems from turning into full breakdowns.

Why Your Dishwasher Might Be Making Noise

A dishwasher isn’t a simple box. Inside there’s a motor, circulation pump, drain pump, spray arms, valves, filters, and dozens of seals and bearings. Any one of these can start acting up, and the only “symptom” you get is sound.

Here are a few of the main culprits:

• Food or debris stuck in the pump – A bit of bone or broken glass can cause grinding that makes you want to shut the machine off immediately. Whirlpool models are especially known for their chopper blades getting jammed.
• Loose spray arms – They should spin freely, but over time they loosen. When that happens, they hit dishes or the racks. GE dishwashers often get this problem, and it sounds like clunking every time the arm rotates.
• Water inlet valve issues – A humming that never stops usually comes from here. We’ve seen it a lot in Samsung and LG units where the valve wears early.
• Worn-out bearings or belts – This creates squealing or screeching. Frigidaire models in particular have motors that start to whine when the bearings wear out.
• Improper loading – You’d be surprised how often we get called out for a “broken” dishwasher that’s just pots and pans banging into each other.

The tricky part is that some of these noises overlap. A buzz might be harmless in one case but serious in another. That’s why paying attention to when and how the noise happens is key.

When to Stop Using Your Dishwasher Immediately

Not all noises are equal. Some sounds require immediate action to prevent damage or safety risks. Turn off your dishwasher and unplug it if you notice:

• Loud banging or metal-on-metal grinding – could indicate a broken pump or impeller
• Burning smell or smoke – electrical fault or motor overheating
• Water pooling under the unit – failed seal or cracked tub
• Complete failure to start with a humming sound – seized motor or power issue

These issues are especially critical in basement suites, condos, and rental properties where water damage can affect multiple units. If you come across any of these issues, it would require turning off the appliance and calling for a professional dishwasher repair service before it gets worse.

Common Dishwasher Noises and What They Mean

We’ll break down the sounds the way we do when customers call us. People usually don’t know the part that’s broken, but they can describe the sound pretty well.

Grinding or Loud Buzzing

This one almost always gets people nervous. Imagine you’re sitting in the living room and suddenly the dishwasher sounds like it’s chewing rocks. Nine times out of ten it’s food or debris in the filter or pump. We’ve pulled chicken bones, popcorn kernels, even shards of broken dishes out of Whirlpool and Bosch units that made this exact sound.

What you can try:

• Remove the bottom rack
• Pull out the filter and rinse it
• Shine a flashlight into the pump area for debris

If the noise continues after you’ve cleaned it, the motor or chopper blade is probably worn. That’s not something you can fix at home without tools.

Humming or Whirring

Some humming is normal, it’s the motor. But if it hums without water filling, or the hum gets louder than usual, the water inlet valve is likely the issue. We see this all the time with Samsung dishwashers. It sounds like the machine is trying but nothing’s happening.

Quick check: make sure your water supply line isn’t kinked. If it looks fine and the dishwasher still hums without filling, the valve is failing. That’s a professional repair.

Rattling or Clunking

Rattling is the noise that usually embarrasses homeowners. They call us out, we run the dishwasher empty, and it’s quiet. That’s because it was just dishes knocking around. Still, there are times when rattling continues even with an empty load. That’s when it’s usually the spray arm or pump housing. GE dishwashers are notorious for spray arms working loose and clunking every time they spin.

Tips to try:

• Re-stack pots and pans securely
• Don’t let utensils stick out through the rack
• Run a short cycle empty to test

If it rattles empty, the issue is internal.

Knocking or Banging

This is the noise that gets described as “sounding like a hammer.” Most often it’s the spray arm smacking into a large pan. But sometimes it’s water hammer in the plumbing, which happens when water rushes in and stops suddenly. We’ve had calls in Burnaby and Delta where the dishwasher itself was fine but the supply line needed adjusting.

Squealing or High-Pitched Screeching

No one ignores this sound. It’s sharp, constant, and usually means worn motor bearings or a belt slipping. We’ve replaced dozens of motors in older Frigidaire dishwashers for exactly this reason. Cleaning won’t help, once the parts wear out, they only get louder until replaced.

What To Check During a Dishwasher Noise Diagnosis

DIY Fixes To Try When Your Dishwasher is Making Strange Noise

There are a few safe steps to try:

• Clean the filter and pump area
• Spin the spray arms by hand to see if they’re loose
• Rearrange or re-stack heavy cookware
• Make sure the water line isn’t bent or pinched
• Run an empty cycle to rule out dish-related noises

If these don’t solve it, stop there. Taking apart motors and valves without the right tools can make the problem worse.

Some minor issues, like cleaning the filter or rearranging dishes, can be handled at home. But many dishwasher-making noise problems involve internal components that require specialized tools and knowledge.

Risks of DIY Repairs:

• Voiding the manufacturer’s warranty
• Incorrect part installation leading to leaks
• Electrical hazards from improper handling

Modern dishwashers are complex appliances with sealed motors, digital control boards, and precise water pressure systems. Attempting a repair without experience can make the problem worse, and cost more in the long run.

Dishwasher Brands and Noise-Related Issues

Every brand has its quirks, and over the years we’ve noticed patterns:

• Bosch – Usually very quiet, so if you hear noise it’s often a pump or filter issue.
• Whirlpool – Known for grinding sounds when the chopper blade or motor fails.
• GE – Rattling is common when spray arms loosen or the drain pump is blocked.
• Samsung & LG – Customers often report buzzing or humming linked to water inlet valves.
• Frigidaire – High-pitched squealing often comes from worn bearings or belts.

No matter the brand, our technicians at ASAP Appliance Repair are trained to handle them all.

When It’s Time to Call for a Dishwasher Making Noise

Here’s when you should pick up the phone:

• Noise continues after cleaning and reloading
• You hear squealing or grinding that doesn’t let up
• Dishwasher stops mid-cycle along with noise
• Water isn’t draining or filling properly
• Leaks appear alongside unusual sounds

We’re based in Vancouver, but we cover the entire Lower Mainland, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, North and West Vancouver, Langley, Delta, New Westminster, Maple Ridge. If your dishwasher is making noise, we can usually get someone out the same day. A dishwasher making noise isn’t just a nuisance, it’s your machine telling you something’s wrong. Sometimes it’s harmless, like dishes clanging. Other times it’s a failing motor or valve that needs attention before it causes a bigger breakdown.