Dishwasher Making Noise — West Hollywood Repair

What this symptom usually means

Dishwashers make a lot of sounds normally — valves opening, pumps cycling, spray arms rotating. Unusual noise, especially a new noise, usually traces to one of a few things. We listen to the cycle at the start, mid-cycle, and during drain — the timing tells us where to look. Below is a breakdown of the most common causes we find on this exact problem, roughly in order of frequency.

Common causes, in order of likelihood

Food chopper / hard object

A cherry pit, chicken bone, or piece of glass in the sump or chopper creates an intermittent grinding noise.

Failing circulation pump motor

A progressive rumble or whine during the wash cycle often means pump bearings are wearing.

Drain pump with debris

A high-pitched buzz only during the drain portion — usually a small object stuck in the pump impeller.

Spray arm hitting a dish

A rhythmic ticking that starts and stops is often a tall item in the rack catching the upper spray arm.

Water inlet valve buzzing

A loud hum at the beginning of the cycle can indicate a valve that's restricting flow.

When it's time to call

Call when a noise is new, persistent, and doesn't clear after a cycle. Grinding noises specifically shouldn't be ignored — they tend to get worse and can damage the pump.