The Reason Your Dishwasher May Be Making A Noise And How You Fix It
You've just loaded and started your dishwasher, anticipating the familiar soothing hum. But instead, you're ambushed by a sound that's anything but music to your ears. Before you question your sanity or summon a pricey plumber, basic knowledge of dishwasher noises and what they mean might just save your day (and money). The silver lining is that the strange noise might represent a simple issue like an inadequate water supply, unlubricated door hinges, or an impromptu game of Tetris gone wrong with your cutlery. However, it could also signal serious concerns like deteriorated circulation motor bearings.
Knowledge is key to quieting a noisy dishwasher without investing in professional intervention. Sometimes, all it takes is a little investigation to discover a partially-open water supply valve or a twisted hose. Other times, it's a matter of perfecting your dish-loading technique or cleaning your dishwasher. But there are instances when a passionate DIY-er must raise the white flag and call in the pros, like when a pump replacement is in order. After all, you don't want that subtle buzz to transform into a full-blown rock concert or a mechanical catastrophe.
Why your dishwasher is making a weird noise
The mounting is a good place to begin detective work, as a loose bracket can turn your dishwasher into a vibrating maestro. Perhaps your dishes are having too much fun cluttering against each other during the wash. Water, or rather the lack thereof, might be the suspect you're looking for — and as mentioned earlier, it could be a case of a faulty or clogged water inlet valve or a kinked supply hose. A loose drain hose can also chime in during draining, hitting the cabinet like an out-of-tune bass drum — certainly not the beat you want to dance to while doing chores. And if your dishwasher is making noise when off? That could be an activated anti-flood device, which demands know-how of draining a dishwasher.
Mechanical defects can also unleash a veritable orchestra of noise during wash cycles. First up, we have the wash impeller. This little guy is responsible for circulating water and ensuring efficient cleaning but can cause an uproar when damaged. Next on the list are circulation motor bearings. Picture these as the knees of your dishwasher's motor — when they deteriorate, every move can be a painful (and noisy) experience. Let's move on to the door latch. This seemingly innocent component can be squeaky when misaligned, damaged, obstructed, or excessively dry. And if you're dealing with dishwasher drain pump noise? Look no further than damage or clogging in the component in question.
How to quiet a noisy dishwasher
As a safety precaution, it's important to unplug your appliance before embarking on your troubleshooting adventure, per Forbes. Taming a vibrating dishwasher (courtesy of defective mounting) can be as simple as tightening the mounting bracket screws or adding thick piece of plywood underneath or replacing the mounting assembly. A little organization goes a long way to prevent a clattering catastrophe — secure the items in the rack tines without overloading your machine. Next up: insufficient water. For this case, ensure the water supply valve is functional and fully open, and straighten the hose if needed. A loose or worn-out water inlet valve will likely need to be replaced, while clamps become handy for a stubborn drain tube.
Accessing a clogged pump requires removing the dishwasher's lower rack, moving the spray arm, and detaching the filter and pump cover. Once you clear the debris, check the impeller fins for damage and replace the whole component if needed. As for deteriorated circulation motor bearings, follow the manufacturer's instructions or hire a professional plumber to replace the entire motor. Proper alignment, cleaning, or a dab of lubrication can help restore normalcy to squeaky or squealing door latches. However, damaged hinges need replacing. If cleaning doesn't help with a noisy drain pump, consider a replacement. Good luck restoring your dishwasher to its former, harmonious self, but don't hesitate to consult an expert for severe damage or when uncertainty clouds your DIY attempts.