Dishwasher making noise when water circulates [Fixed]

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As a dishwasher owner, you are probably accustomed to the various sounds it makes during a wash cycle.

However, if you have recently noticed that your dishwasher is making some unusual sounds as the water circulates, it could be a sign that something is wrong.

In this article, we will show you how to troubleshoot and fix your dishwasher when it starts making unusual sounds during wash cycles.

So if you are dealing with a noisy dishwasher, read on and get to know how you can fix it.

Table of Contents

Dishwasher making noise when water circulates – how to eliminate the noise, depending on the type of noise you’re hearing

Now, there are several kinds of noises that the dishwasher may make. Let us look at each individually- what it means and how to eliminate it (if unusual)…

Dishwasher makes rattling noise during wash cycle / dishwasher makes rhythmic knocking sounds

You hear rattling/knocking sound if you have not loaded your dishwasher properly.

Let me explain:

As the jets of water are sprayed, they might cause the dishes to rattle as lightweight utensils such as baby bottles are moved around the rack. In fact, some lightweight utensils might be forced out of the rack and they will be hit around by the spray arms as your dishwasher runs.

When these lightweight dishes are dislodged from the rack, your dishwasher will make rhythmic knocking sounds as the spray arms hit the objects rhythmically with each rotation.

Now, if you have some lightweight utensils, you will need to rearrange them tightly.

Another cause might be you have underloaded your dishwasher. This would result in the water jets hitting the washing tank directly.

To fix this, evenly distribute the utensils or load more utensils into your dishwasher.

To test if lightweight dishes or improper arrangement of the dishes is the source of your dishwasher’s noise, simply remove the dishes and run an empty wash cycle. Is the noise gone?

If yes, chances are that you are not properly loading your dishes. Otherwise, something else is causing the noise as we are about to see next.

Quick tip: if unsure of how to load the dishwasher, you can always confirm from your user manual.

Dishwasher makes thumping noise

This is an indication that your utensils have extended beyond the racks and they are now interfering with the spray arms.

To fix this noise, you will need to re-adjust your utensils before resuming the wash cycle.

Dishwasher makes snapping or clunking noise during wash cycle

This sound should not worry you as it is very normal for your dishwasher to do so.

When the dishwasher makes any of these sounds, it is an indication that the detergent dispenser is being opened to dispense detergent into the wash tub.

Dishwasher making grinding noise as it runs / dishwasher makes a continuous drone sound

When this occurs, chances are that there is a foreign object that has wedged itself inside the circulation pump. This might be hard food materials or perhaps a piece from a utensil that broke during cleaning.

Moving on, to check if this is the case, you will need to access your circulating pump and inspect it for clogs. Be sure to carefully clean the pump.

Now, if the pump continues making grinding noises yet there are no debris inside it, it is an indication that the motor bearings inside it are worn out. As a result, you will need to replace the circulation pump.

Dishwasher makes scraping or squeaking noise during wash cycle

When this occurs, it is an indication that the dishwasher’s impeller is clogged, dislodged or has a broken fin.

As a result, you will need to access the impeller and check it for any damages or clogs.

If it is clogged, removing the clogs should fix it.

However, if it is damaged (fins may be broken), you will need to get a replacement impeller for your dishwasher model.

Dishwasher makes loud buzzing noise

Normally, you should not be worried when your dishwasher makes a buzzing noise. You will normally hear this noise as the dishwasher forces the water out through the drain.

However, if the noise becomes too loud, there are three key parts that you will need to inspect.

First, inspect the impeller as we have seen above.

Next, you will need to inspect the water inlet valve. To know if the inlet valve is the source of your troubles, the buzzing noise will occur as the dishwasher fills. The noise will stop during the wash cycle only for it to resume as the water for the rinse cycle fills.

Now, if you note that none of the above two parts are the cause of the buzzing sound, chances are that you are looking at a defective drain valve solenoid. In this case, you will need to get a drain valve solenoid kit and replace the solenoid itself.

Dishwasher makes squealing noises

This can be caused by two parts. They are:

1. Water inlet valve diaphragm

With time, the diaphragm inside the water inlet valve will wear out. When this does happen, your dishwasher will begin making loud buzzing sounds or squealing noises.

If this is the case with your dishwasher, we recommend replacing the water inlet valve as a whole. This is because trying to repair it will only hasten further breakdowns of the valve.

As an LG dishwasher owner, you are in luck as LG has OEM water inlet valve replacement parts. You can easily order one from LG here.

2. Drain pump

After the dishwasher has finished a wash cycle, it will first need to drain the dirty water before it lets in clean water for the rinse cycle. If you hear the squealing noise during this stage, it is an indication that your drain pump is either clogged with food debris or its motor bearings have worn out.

With that being said, you will need to access the drain pump and check for clogs – be sure to remove them if any and see if this eliminates the noise.

If doing this does not eliminate the noise, it means that your drain pump is faulty and you will need to get a replacement pump.

If you own a Samsung dishwasher, you can order an OEM drain pump from Samsung here.

Dishwasher making noise at the lower rack of the dishwasher

Finally, if you note that the noise in your dishwasher is coming from the bottom rack area, the most likely suspects are the lower rack wheels.

Once these wheels wear out, they will lead to your dishwasher making weird noises as it runs. Moreover, if these wheels are faulty, your dishwasher won’t be cleaning your dishes fully and you might have trouble closing the door also.

With that being said, you will need to get lower rack wheels replacement.

If you have a Maytag, KitchenAid, Whirlpool or Kenmore dishwasher, you can get quality replacement wheels here.

Dishwasher making noise when water circulates – final words

As we conclude, if you note that the source of your dishwasher’s noise is a faulty or worn-out part, we recommend you get original OEM replacement parts.

OEM parts have two main advantages: