Dishwasher Making Strange Noises? What the Sounds Mean — and When to Get It Repaired
A dishwasher is never completely silent, but when yours starts grinding, buzzing, thumping, or squealing, something has changed. Unusual noises during a wash cycle are your dishwasher’s way of telling you a component is wearing out, something is obstructing the spray arms, or a pump is struggling. Ignoring the noise often leads to a more expensive repair down the track.
Book a dishwasher repair online or call (07) 3062 2377 to get it checked.
What Different Dishwasher Noises Mean
Grinding or Crunching
A grinding sound usually means something hard — a piece of broken glass, a bone fragment, a seed, or a small utensil — has fallen into the sump area beneath the lower spray arm and is being caught by the wash pump impeller. In some cases, the impeller itself has cracked or worn down. Our technicians disassemble the sump area, remove the debris, and inspect the impeller for damage.
Buzzing or Humming
A constant buzz or hum that’s louder than normal often comes from the wash pump motor straining against a blockage, or from the drain pump trying to clear a partially blocked drain hose. If the buzzing occurs when the machine tries to fill, the water inlet valve solenoid may be at fault. We isolate which pump or valve is producing the noise and test it.
Thumping or Knocking
Rhythmic thumping during a cycle usually indicates a spray arm is hitting something — a tall plate, pot handle, or item that’s shifted during washing. Before calling a technician, check that all items are loaded correctly and nothing is blocking the spray arm rotation. If the noise persists with an empty load, the spray arm bearing or mount may be worn, allowing the arm to wobble and strike the cavity walls.
Squealing or High-Pitched Whine
A squealing sound points to a bearing failure in either the wash pump or drain pump motor. Pump bearings wear over time, especially in hard water areas where mineral buildup accelerates wear. If caught early, the pump can sometimes be rebuilt; if left too long, the entire pump assembly may need replacement.
Rattling
Loose items in the cutlery basket, a detached spray arm cap, or a dislodged filter component can all cause rattling during a cycle. Check that the filter assembly is seated correctly, the spray arm caps are tight, and nothing is loose in the racks. If the rattle persists, a drain pump check valve or motor mount may have come loose internally.
Banging at End of Cycle (Water Hammer)
A loud bang when the dishwasher finishes filling is typically water hammer — a pressure shock in the plumbing when the inlet valve closes suddenly. While this isn’t a dishwasher fault per se, a faulty inlet valve that snaps shut too quickly can make it worse. A plumber can install a water hammer arrestor, or we can check whether the valve needs replacing.
When Is Dishwasher Noise Normal?
Some operational sounds are perfectly normal and don’t indicate a fault. The soft hum of the wash pump during a cycle, the click of the detergent dispenser opening, the gentle whoosh of water hitting the cavity, and the whir of the drain pump at the end of a cycle are all standard. The noise to worry about is any sound that’s new, louder than usual, or rhythmic when it shouldn’t be.
Brands We Service
We repair noisy dishwashers from all major brands, including LG, Samsung, Westinghouse, Electrolux, Bosch, Whirlpool, Fisher & Paykel, Hisense, and Siemens.
Dishwasher Repair Pricing
$219 includes a callout and up to 30 minutes labour onsite — most faults are diagnosed and many repaired in that time. Additional labour is $45 per 15-minute block. Parts are quoted separately before any work proceeds. Seniors, pensioners, and students receive a $20 discount.
Return visits are $29 plus parts and labour. We’ll provide a fixed price quote before any work is carried out. All repairs carry a 12-month warranty.
Book Your Dishwasher Repair
Don’t wait for the grinding to turn into a breakdown — book online or call (07) 3062 2377. We service dishwashers across Greater Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, and the Northern Gold Coast.