Have you ever decided to run your dishwasher at night and find the racket just too much? Is it interrupting your sleep and making you feel like a zombie? Is the appliance making strange noises that cause you to question whether everything is working as intended?
You might want to get that looked at.
Dishwashers make a variety of noises while in operation. The causes could be harmless, such as a dish disrupting the wash propeller. But, the cause could also be a clogged drain, a malfunctioning soap dispenser, or a disrupted cycle. While the causes are usually harmless, it’s best to check before using the dishwasher again.
In order to check what’s wrong with your dishwasher, you first need to understand what causes the different sounds you’re hearing. After all, every sound indicates a different problem, and if it’s serious then it’ll likely get worse with time.
Reasons Why a Dishwasher Makes Noise
1. Regular Operation
The first, and perhaps most obvious reason your dishwasher is making noise is simply the operation of the machine. Dishwashers typically have a propeller in the center and on top inside of the machine which spins as the machine operates.
The spinning of these propellers can create a swishing sound as it moves the water around. This is a perfectly normal noise, and should not be a cause for alarm.
However, if you hear a clunking or banging noise, make sure you check to make sure the dishes aren’t hitting these propellers. Try moving any spoons, knives, or other thin utensils which might be hanging down and hitting the propellers.
2. Water Hammer Issues
Even though the most likely cause of a banging noise is dishes disrupting the movement of the spray arms (propellers), there are other potential causes. If you’ve rearranged your dishware and are fairly certain there’s nothing disrupting your dishwasher’s movements, it could be the water hammer.
The water hammer, or hydraulic shock as it is sometimes known, is the force of the water through the pipes. The pressure pushes the water down the drain as the dishwasher operates. However, you will hear a loud bang or thud sound when the water hits a block in the pipes.
This can easily be ignored for a while, so long as the water continues to drain. But, we do not recommend you do that! This water buildup can damage your dishwasher and the blockage in your pipes is typically a sign of an issue. Don’t ignore this sign and get it fixed as soon as possible.
3. Clogged Drain
A clogged drain will likely make a sucking or loud slurping noise. As the clog gets worse it will usually get louder or result in the dishwasher flooding.
The best way to deal with this issue is to remove the drain cover and clean it out. If you still notice the loud noises, you might have a clog deeper down the drain.
If so, you can try checking the operator manual to see how to fix it for your model. Otherwise, you might need to hire a professional to clean the drain.
To prevent this from happening, make sure you scrape all food into the garbage and rinse your dishes before washing. Many people find this counterintuitive, but dishwashers wash dishes, they are not a garbage disposal.
4. Broken Door Fan
This is somewhat model-specific, but most LG and Sears models will have this fan on the inside of the machine door. This is not the same thing as the propellers on the inside which are used to mix the water and soap.
The fan on the door is typically used to dry the dishes after washing. When the fan gets jammed or otherwise broken on the inside, you will need to order a replacement part.
5. Broken Water Pump
Squealing or whining noises are usually the sign that your water pump is breaking, or is already broken. This could also indicate something jammed in the pump, depending on the model and design.
Typically this noise comes from a bad or broken bearing on the water pump. Unfortunately, though, you’ll need to replace the whole pump in order to fix this issue.
How to Stop a Dishwasher From Making Noises
To stop your dishwasher from making noise you should first rule out any disruptive objects. If you do not see anything which is preventing your dishwasher from operating, then it could be clogged drains or a malfunctioning soap dispenser.
The best way to prevent this noise is to either get the drains fixed, replace the pump, or repair the soap dispenser.
To reiterate, the common causes of noises include:
- Damaged drain hose
- Food or debris in the bottom of the dishwasher
- Clogged drains
- Malfunctioning off/switch
- Not properly entering or ending cycles
- Anti-flood device overworking
With each cause of the noise, the fix is somewhat different. For damaged drains, clogged drains, or malfunctioning equipment, you may want to call an expert. Most of these issues are either issues with the machine’s programming or may require special equipment to fix.
However, some clogs or debris issues can be solved by using hot water, plungers, and maybe a little vinegar. This requires you to know where the drains are and to locate which is malfunctioning. Afterward, use the plunger to try to dislodge the debris.
For the soap dispensers, the fix could be something as simple as switching to a liquid detergent. Sometimes the soap door just gets worn out or the soap cube is too large for the cubby. You can change detergents, or simply deal with the clunking noise as the soap spins around in the cycle.
It’s fairly harmless to the machine and dishes to do it this way. But, the noise may be disturbing if you’re sensitive to banging noises.
My Dishwasher Makes Noise When Turned Off, Why?
Dishwashers can make noise when off due to a technical malfunction, a broken on/off switch, or faulty sensors. This means you can have water build-up that triggers the machine’s anti-flood device to turn on.
Or, the water might be leaking in through faulty valves. All of these background operations could cause your machine to break eventually if left unfixed.
If you hear noises even when the machine is turned off, then a malfunctioning drain is the likely cause. The reason for this is it will trigger the anti-flood device to kick on and thus cause the machine to start making noise even when it’s off.
Technically, this is a good thing. you want the anti-flood device to kick on when your machine is randomly filling with water. However, it’s a sign that either your drains aren’t working correctly, your water plugs are broken, or the anti-flood device is malfunctioning.
You can purchase replacement parts, or hire a mechanic to do the task for you. Getting a professional is recommended in this situation, especially if you have a newer model and the anti-flood device is more complicated than a simple valve.
If the on/off switch isn’t working properly it could be caused by dirt or grime stuck in the device. This could cause the switches to get stuck, and the cycles to get jammed.
A thorough cleaning is your best option when this happens. If you suspect it’s something wrong with the machine’s hardware, then call a professional.
Can You Use a Dishwasher That Makes Strange Noises?
If you’ve found the cause of the noise, then it’s possibly safe to use. However, it depends upon what the cause is. Using a dishwasher while the drains are clogged or when it’s not switching cycles can impact the quality of the cleaning.
And, if left untreated, it could damage certain parts of the machine or possibly cause clogs to become worse.
If you’ve narrowed down the cause of the noise to rouge dishes, or food caught in the drain, then it’s safe to use. However, this food could disrupt your dishwasher performance and leave you with dirty, grimy dishes.
You’re better off cleaning out the drain and checking for clogs before completing the cycle. This will save you time by keeping you from cleaning the dishes twice.
However, using a dishwasher while there are serious clogs, broken parts, or a malfunctioning sensor could negatively impact your machine. This is because the machine relies on consistent cycles to perform its tasks correctly. When these cycles are disrupted it could cause the machine to deteriorate.