It’s normal for a dishwasher to make some noise while running. However, if the sound suddenly becomes louder or unusual, it can be concerning. In most cases, the noise is caused by loose items, blocked spray arms, or normal pump operation.
While certain sounds can be irritating, they often aren’t serious.
The Most Common Reasons This Happens
1. Dishes or Utensils Touching Spray Arms
If plates or cutlery are positioned incorrectly, they can knock against the spray arms as they rotate. This often creates a rhythmic tapping or clicking sound.
Rearranging dishes usually resolves the issue.
2. Debris in the Pump Area
Small food particles or hard objects can enter the pump area and cause grinding or humming sounds.
If your dishwasher is also leaving water behind, see Why Is My Dishwasher Not Draining?
3. Normal Pump or Motor Operation
Dishwashers naturally make humming or swishing sounds while circulating water. These noises are part of regular operation and may vary between cycles.
4. Blocked Spray Arms
If spray arms are partially blocked, water pressure changes can produce unusual sounds.
If cleaning performance has also dropped, see Why Is My Dishwasher Not Cleaning Properly?
5. Worn Internal Components
In older machines, worn bearings or pump components can create louder or rougher sounds. This is less common but possible over time.
Is This Normal?
Some dishwasher noise is completely normal.
It may be normal if:
• The sound is consistent each cycle
• The dishwasher cleans properly
• There are no leaks or error codes
It may not be normal if:
• Grinding or scraping sounds occur
• The noise becomes significantly louder
• The machine struggles to complete cycles
When Should You Worry?
You should investigate further if:
• Loud grinding persists
• The machine leaks water
• Cleaning performance drops suddenly
• Error codes appear
Persistent unusual noise may indicate a pump or motor issue.
What You Can Do
If your dishwasher is making noise, you can:
• Rearrange dishes and utensils
• Check and clean the filter
• Inspect spray arms for debris
• Run an empty cycle to test
If unusual sounds continue or worsen, professional inspection may be needed.
In most situations, dishwasher noise is caused by loading or minor debris rather than serious mechanical faults. Simple adjustments often reduce the sound. If the noise becomes louder or affects performance, professional servicing may help.
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