How to fix a noisy dishwasher

Do you have a noisy dishwasher? Asurion Experts are trained and experienced with all major appliances, and they know exactly how to get yours back up and running. If your dishwasher sounds more like a cement mixer, try these tips to diagnose and resolve the problem, so you can get back to enjoying the convenience of your appliance.

Why is my dishwasher making noise?

Dishwashers make noise when they run, but when everything is working properly, they don't grind, thump, squeak, scrape, or buzz. If your dishwasher is making any of these sounds, here are four components to check as you work to diagnose the problem:

• The chopper blades
• The drain hose
• The wash or drain pump
• The impeller fin

Don't forget: Any time you're working on your dishwasher, make sure you disconnect the appliance from power by unplugging it or shutting off the circuit breaker in the electrical box and turn off the water supply. If you don't feel comfortable testing or replacing a component yourself, book a repair with an appliance expert.

The chopper blades

These blades cut up pieces of food left on dishes so they won't clog your appliance's drain. If your appliance is making a grinding noise, stuck or broken chopper blades may be the culprit.

How to check

To access the chopper blade area at the bottom of the dishwasher tub, remove the spray arm and the top of the chopper blade sump. Clean out any debris and check for damage.

How to repair

If the blade has been damaged, you will need to replace it.

The drain hose

If your new dishwasher is making a thumping sound, first make sure it's not a dish colliding with the spray arm. If you have ruled that out, it could be positioning of the drain hose. Typically, it's a minor issue and easy to fix.

How to check

Observe the hose while the dishwasher is draining. If it's moving when water drains through it, it could be causing the sound you're hearing.

How to repair

Simply reposition the dishwasher to keep the drain hose from coming in contact with any of the surfaces around it. Usually sliding it away from the wall or cabinets a bit will do the trick.

The wash or drain pump

Squealing or droning sounds could indicate a problem with the dishwasher's wash or drain pump. They're both located on the bottom of the dishwasher behind the kickplate.

How to check

Your dishwasher's manual will have details about locating your model's wash or drain pump. If you can't locate your manual, check the manufacturer's website for further information.

How to repair

To replace the wash or drain pump, you'll first need to disconnect the appliance from its electrical and water supplies, as well as disconnect the drain from the bottom of the sink. Then, remove the front kickplate to locate the pump. Repairing the pumps themselves requires a few hand tools, as well as the correct replacement part. Refer to your appliance's manual or the manufacturer's website for instructions for your specific model to make this repair, or contact an appliance repair technician for help.

The impeller fin

The wash and drain pumps use impeller fins to move water through the system, but if one of the fins breaks or the impeller is not able to move properly, it can cause your dishwasher to make a loud scraping or squeaking noise.

How to check

If you're comfortable removing the pumps, you can check to make sure the impellers aren't damaged and are spinning freely. But the process can be complicated, so you may want to reach out for help from an appliance repair pro.

How to repair

If the impeller in one of the pumps is the cause of your problem, you will need to either replace the impeller or the entire pump. Whether the impeller fin can be replaced without replacing the pump will depend on your dishwasher model.