Is It Normal for Dishwashers to Be Noisy?

Dishwashers are a common household appliance, with around 80 million households in the United States owning one. There are many benefits to owning a dishwasher, including cleaner crockery, more free time, and reduced water usage. Given that we are all living busy lives today, dishwashers have become one of the most important household appliances.

But what if you have a noisy dishwasher? Is that normal and, if not, what can you do about it? Well, in this blog post we will highlight everything you need to know if your dishing is making a loud noise.

Whether your dishwasher is making a clunking, banging, grinding, clicking, or knocking noise, this blog post will highlight the likely cause of the noise and whether or not you should be worried. Let’s get started. 

Clicking Noise

Depending on the type of dishwasher, it may come equipped with electronic controls. As the dishwasher goes through its regular cycle, these controls may make clicking noises. Noises like this that come from the control panel are normal and not a cause for concern.

Banging Noise

Undoubtedly, a banging noise is not normal. It’s possible that an issue known as water hammer is the cause, which points to an issue with your property’s water pressure.

Water hammer is generally caused by high-pressure water systems. When your dishwasher’s water valve closes, the force of water results in the pipes rattling, which causes a banging noise. This is an issue that necessitates calling a plumber.

Clunking Noise

This is another typically normal sound when your dishwasher is operating. It occurs once during the wash cycle when the detergent cup opens midway during the cycle. If there is a repeated clucking noise, it’s a good idea to call a plumber.

Grinding Noise

If you’re hearing a grinding noise, it might be time to inspect the interior parts of your dishwasher. Components such as the dishwasher rack can wear out over time, leading to issues like rusting. Not to worry, though, as there are straightforward steps on how to repair a rusty dishwasher rack that can prolong the life of your appliance. Regular maintenance and timely repairs are key to ensuring your dishwasher runs smoothly and quietly.

Humming Noise

This is the most common dishwasher sound you will hear. This sound is normal and there are a number of parts within the machine that can make a humming noise. These include the pump motor, drain pump, and soft food disposer.

Knocking Noise

If you hear a repetitive knocking noise from your dishwasher, it’s possibly caused by the spray arm hitting against one of the items inside. Pause your dishwasher, adjust the items inside, and resume the cycle to see if that fixes the knocking noise.

Rattling Noise

There are a few possible causes of a rattling noise in a dishwasher. One example is that there is an issue with the motor. Another is simply that the dishwasher itself is causing some of the lighter dishes to move about and rattle during a cycle.

If you are concerned that there is a motor issue, contact a plumber for professional advice and appliance repair.

Noisy Dishwasher: Is It Normal or Needs Repair?

The bottom line is that there are different possible causes for a noisy dishwasher, as we have highlighted above. If you are concerned about a fault, we recommend that you speak to a plumber for assistance.

Like this blog post on what to do if you have a noisy dishwasher? Be sure to check out our other informative articles on a wide range of interesting topics.