Washer is making loud or unusual noises
When a washing machine makes loud or unusual noises, a part is usually worn, loose, or obstructed. Early attention prevents secondary damage and downtime. This guide explains each likely cause with clear symptoms, what to do, and how to prevent repeat issues. Internal links point to detailed guides where helpful.
Common causes with symptoms, actions, and prevention
Worn drum bearings
Cause. Bearings that support the inner drum wear as grease washes out through a failed seal. Moisture and detergent residue speed up wear.
Symptoms. A deep rumbling noise or scraping during the spin cycle that grows louder over time. Hand spin can feel rough. Rust streaks near the rear seal and grey flakes under the unit may appear. If the seal leaks, puddles can form. See Washer is leaking water for related details.
What to do. Reduce use and schedule bearing replacement. The seal must be renewed to keep water away from the new bearings. Some tubs are sealed and require a full tub assembly.
Prevention. Avoid overloading, inspect the door boot for cuts, and run hot maintenance cycles to reduce residue. This supports longer washer life.
Damaged shock absorbers or suspension springs
Cause. Suspension parts lose damping and allow excessive drum travel.
Symptoms. Loud banging during spin, walking across the floor, cabinet dents, and imbalance errors. Clothes may finish wetter. For spin help see Washer not spinning.
What to do. Level the appliance. Replace soft shocks in pairs and check springs and mounts for cracks. Tighten counterweight bolts.
Prevention. Balance mixed loads, avoid frequent single heavy items, and keep the floor solid and level to reduce excessive vibration.
Foreign objects inside the drum or pump
Cause. Coins, bra wires, screws, and buttons slip through drum holes and reach the sump or pump.
Symptoms. Metallic clanking during wash and early spin, then grinding or humming while draining. Poor draining can follow. See Washer not draining.
What to do. Power off. Remove debris from the door boot and pump filter. If the impeller vane is missing or the shaft is loose, replace the pump. Check the sump hose and heater port for fragments.
Prevention. Empty pockets, use mesh bags for delicate items, and clean the pump filter on a schedule to prevent drain pump noise.
Uneven load distribution
Cause. Laundry bunches on one side or the load is too small or too large for balance control.
Symptoms. Thumping or knocking at the start of spin, repeated attempts to reach speed, and cabinet movement.
What to do. Pause, redistribute clothes evenly, add a few towels to small loads, and restart.
Prevention. Follow capacity ratings, mix large and small garments, and avoid single heavy pieces to prevent unbalanced spin.
Worn drive belt or damaged pulley
Cause. A stretched or glazed belt slips on the motor or drum pulley. Misaligned or chipped pulleys add noise.
Symptoms. Squealing or chirping at acceleration, intermittent spin, and a hot rubber smell.
What to do. Inspect belt condition and tension. Replace a frayed belt and secure the pulley. Confirm the drum spins freely.
Prevention. Annual inspection during cleaning, correct loading, and early repair of bearing or shock issues to protect the belt and keep quiet operation.
Pump or impeller damage
Cause. Hard debris breaks the impeller or the pump bearings wear out.
Symptoms. A steady grinding or humming noise while draining, slow water removal, and occasional errors. Noise often remains even with an empty drum.
What to do. Clear the filter and hoses, then test the pump for smooth rotation. Replace the pump if the shaft has play or the impeller is cracked. See Washer not draining for persistent drain issues.
Prevention. Routine filter cleaning, shaking off debris before washing, and checking hoses for kinks limit drainage noise.
Quick checklist of what to do now
- Identify when the noise occurs. Wash, drain, or spin points to different parts.
- Stop heavy use if the sound is metallic or grows quickly.
- Check level, feet, and load balance before restarting.
- Clean the pump filter and inspect for foreign objects.
- Schedule service if you suspect bearings, suspension, or the pump.
Prevention and care
- Load properly and mix garment sizes to avoid unbalanced spin.
- Empty pockets and use mesh bags for small items.
- Clean the pump filter and run periodic hot maintenance cycles.
- Keep the washer level on a solid floor to prevent excessive vibration.
- Inspect belts, shocks, and seals during annual cleaning to maintain quiet washing performance.
Real repair cases
Case 1. Loud rumble on high spin. Excessive drum play and a leaking rear seal were found. The bearing set and seal were replaced and the unit tested at full speed. Noise returned to normal and spin improved.
Case 2. Sharp clanking during drain followed by humming. The filter held coins and a zipper tab. The impeller had a missing vane. A new pump was installed and the sump flushed. Draining was quiet and fast.
Case 3. Banging against side panels and walking across the room. Shocks were soft and a spring mount was elongated. New shocks were fitted, the mount repaired, and the cabinet leveled. Top spin was quiet.
Case 4. Squeal at start of spin with occasional failure to reach speed. The drive belt was glazed and the pulley bolt loose. After belt replacement and pulley tightening, the squeal disappeared and cycle times normalized.
Conclusion
Unusual washer noise is an early warning. Acting quickly protects the tub, bearings, suspension, and pump. Keep loads balanced, clean the filter, and schedule maintenance. If the sound persists, a professional diagnosis will pinpoint the source and prevent costly damage.
