WHY IS MY DISHWASHER MAKING LOUD NOISES?

A dishwasher makes plenty of sounds during a cycle—water rushing, spray arms rotating and motors humming are all part of normal operation. But when you notice an unfamiliar or unusually loud dishwasher noise, it’s natural to wonder if it’s normal. Read on for more information about which sounds are often routine and which may require additional investigation.

ARE LOUD DISHWASHER NOISES NORMAL?

If you are wondering about the noises your dishwasher is making, the answer often comes down to context. Many normal dishwasher noises are simply part of how the machine operates. It is normal to hear a sound like water rushing while the dishwasher fills and cleans. A change in a sound may matter more than the sound itself—some noises are expected during regular use, while others may warrant a closer look. Lightweight items like plastic cups and lids may rattle or vibrate if not secured, while large cookware can reflect spray and amplify sound. The type of cycle selected also plays a role, since different phases produce different sound profiles. If the dishwasher still cleans and drains properly, a familiar hum or swish is likely nothing to worry about. But a sound that starts suddenly or grows louder over time definitely deserves attention.

SOUNDS YOU MAY HEAR DURING A NORMAL CYCLE

Different cycle functions produce different dishwasher noises. Here are some normal dishwasher noises you may hear during a typical cycle:

Filling and washing: Water rushing and swishing as the dishwasher fills and cleans. Wash and spray phases often create a steady swish or whoosh.
Draining and pumping: Drain and pump functions typically produce a soft hum and occasional gurgle.
Component sounds: The water inlet valve may emit a light clicking and the detergent dispenser can make a distinct snap.
Drying: You may hear a fan running after the cycle is complete.

Sounds vary by model, so understanding how a dishwasher works can help you recognize which noises may be typical for your machine. If a sound has been present since you installed the dishwasher and the machine still functions normally and cleans well, it is likely part of regular operation.

IDENTIFY DISHWASHER NOISES BY SOUND AND CYCLE STAGE

Different cycle functions produce different dishwasher noises, so matching the sound to when it happens can help narrow down possible causes. Whether you are dealing with dishwasher grinding, dishwasher rattling, dishwasher banging or dishwasher knocking, the table below pairs some sounds with their typical cycle stages, when they might be normal, when they may signal an issue and what to check first.

What you hear	When it happens	May be normal when	Possible issue when	First check
Humming	End of cycle or during fill phase or dry phase	Normal drain pump and fill sound, as well as fan sound during dry	Accompanied by standing water or poor drainage	Check for clogs in the filter or drain area
Rattling	During wash or spray phases	Loose items like plastic cups or lids vibrating	Coming from the pump area or growing louder	Check that dishes and utensils are secured
Thumping or clanging	During wash cycle	Dishes too close together or hitting wash arms	Persistent after rearranging dishes	Adjust dish placement and check spray arm clearance
Grinding	During different parts of the wash cycle	Models with a hard food disposer use a chopper to disintegrate food particles	A loud growling sound may be associated with items stuck in the filter	Check the filter for debris
Rhythmic Banging or knocking	During wash cycle	Item extending beyond the racks and interfering with wash arms	Persistent, loud or accompanied by other symptoms	Check to make sure your dishes are loaded correctly

WHY IS MY DISHWASHER HUMMING BUT NOT DRAINING?

A humming sound during a regular wash cycle or from the drain pump during the drain phase may be part of normal operation, but a large amount of standing water might change the picture. If your dishwasher isn’t draining and has a lot of standing water in the bottom (an inch or so in the filter area is normal) check to make sure your garbage disposer knockout plug is removed and that your drain has been installed correctly and that there are no kinks in the drain line. Also, check accessible causes like a clogged filter or drain. If the humming persists after clearing debris and the dishwasher still does not drain, you may need to call a service technician.

WHY IS MY DISHWASHER GRINDING DURING WASHING OR DRAINING?

Dishwasher grinding can be routine on models with a hard food disposer, which uses a chopper to break up food particles so they do not end up recirculating onto your dishes. But if the grinding is unfamiliar, unusually loud or persistent, it may signal an issue. Items stuck in the filter can also sometimes cause grinding noises, so cleaning the filter is an accessible first step—check your owner's manual before trying to remove and clean the filter. Stop the cycle if the grinding is paired with poor drainage, leaking or faulty operation. At this point, it may be time to call for professional service.

HOW TO CHECK A NOISY DISHWASHER

If your dishwasher is making an unusual sound, a few simple checks can possibly help you narrow down the cause. Start by stopping the cycle and following your model's instructions before reaching inside. Work through these steps in order.

A finger operating the controls of a top control dishwasher

1. PAUSE THE CYCLE AND NOTE WHEN THE NOISE HAPPENS

When you notice a sound, note the type of sound, the cycle stage and whether cleaning or drainage has changed. Load size and item type can also affect perceived dishwasher sound; lightweight items like plastic cups and lids may rattle or vibrate if not secured, while large cookware can reflect spray and amplify sound. Pay attention to whether the noise happens during filling, washing, draining or drying, since different cycle phases produce different sounds.

2. CHECK THE LOAD AND SPRAY-ARM CLEARANCE

With the dishwasher stopped, check for loose dishes and utensils that could be causing dishwasher thumping or rattling sounds. If you hear thumping or clanging while your dishwasher is running, your dishes may be too close together or hitting the wash arms. Adjust the placement of your dishware before resuming the wash cycle. Make sure nothing blocks the spray arms from turning freely. Learning how to load a dishwasher can help you arrange dishes to help avoid spray arm obstruction and reduce unnecessary noise.

3. CHECK THE FILTER AND DRAIN AREA

Food particles that get stuck over time can cause more than odors—they can also contribute to grinding noises and other issues. Clearing debris from the filter and the visible drain area is an accessible first step. Check your owner's manual for instructions on how to clean your dishwasher filter, since the process varies by model. Do not take apart the pump or other internal parts. That should be left to a professional. Select Maytag^® dishwashers feature Dual Power Filtration, which combines 100% microfiltration and a 4-blade stainless steel chopper to filter out then dispose of food in its path.

A cell phone searching for model information

4. REVIEW THE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR MODEL-SPECIFIC SOUNDS

Your owner's manual may list normal sounds specific to your dishwasher model and may also include troubleshooting steps. Check the manual before assuming a sound indicates a problem, since some noises are simply part of how your dishwasher operates. If the manual describes the sound as normal, and your dishwasher is functioning, no further action may be needed. If the sound is not listed or has grown worse, consider the other checks in this guide or call for professional service.

WHEN TO STOP USING THE DISHWASHER AND SCHEDULE SERVICE

Some sounds go beyond what basic checks can address. If you notice any of the following, stop using the dishwasher and schedule service:

Leaks: Water pooling under or around the dishwasher may indicate a leak that needs professional attention. Do not continue running the dishwasher if you see water collecting outside the tub.
Burning smell: If you smell a burning odor, it may indicate an electrical issue. Stop using the dishwasher and contact a professional.
Failure to drain: If you hear an unusually loud sound and notice a lot of pooled water (more than the inch or so that is normal in the filter area), a part may need addressing by a professional.
Repeated cycle interruptions: If the dishwasher stops mid-cycle repeatedly, a deeper issue may be the culprit. A technician can inspect the unit to determine the cause.
Persistent or unusual grinding: If grinding is unfamiliar, unusually loud or paired with poor washer performance, stop the cycle. A damaged impeller can sometimes produce a loud growling sound. Schedule service.

DISHWASHER NOISE FAQS

Still have questions about dishwasher noises? The following frequently asked questions address common concerns about circulation sounds, cycle settings, noise ratings and warranty coverage.

Water circulation during wash and spray phases naturally produces swishing or whooshing sounds as the dishwasher cleans. So, it is normal to hear a sound like water rushing while the dishwasher fills and cleans. These sounds are part of normal operation and vary depending on the cycle selected, the load size and the items inside. A change in the sound character or volume may warrant investigation, especially if the noise is louder than usual or accompanied by changes in cleaning performance. If the circulation sound has been the same since installation and the dishwasher still cleans well, it is likely part of normal operation.

Yes, different cycle settings can produce different sound levels. Different cycle phases produce different dishwasher noises—wash and spray phases often create a steady swish or whoosh, while drain and pump phases can produce a soft hum and occasional gurgle. Heavy-duty cycles may use more water pressure, which can produce louder sounds. Lighter cycles tend to run more quietly since they use less water and lower spray intensity.

A dishwasher's dBA rating measures how loud it will be during operation, with lower numbers indicating quieter performance. Dishwashers typically have noise levels between 40 to 50 decibels (dBA) and any dishwasher with a decibel level of 44 dBA or lower may be considered quiet. Models at 50 dBA or above are considered average. Every increase of 10 decibels doubles perceived noise, so the difference between 40 and 50 dBA is often noticeable.

Warranty coverage varies by make and model, so checking your warranty terms is the first step. Select Maytag^® dishwashers are covered by a 10-year limited parts warranty on the racks, chopper blade and stainless steel tub; visit maytag.com for warranty details. When it comes to unusual noises, they may or may not be covered depending on the cause—some issues may fall outside the warranty. If you have a Maytag^® appliance, you can contact customer service to help answer questions about warranty specifics.

SHOP MAYTAG^® DISHWASHERS

Select Maytag^®dishwashers deliver dependable cleaning power with quiet operation under 50 dBA. Some models also feature Dual Power Filtration, the PowerBlast^® Cycle or a 3rd Level Rack.