Why Does My Dishwasher Make A Grinding Noise? - Best Tips & Advice

“Why does my dishwasher make a grinding noise?”

Your dishwasher is making a grinding noise and you’re not sure what to do about it.

A dishwasher that’s making a grinding noise is definitely not something you want to ignore. It could be a sign that there’s something wrong with the machine and it needs repair.

Before you call in a repairman, check out our best tips & advice for solving the problem yourself. You may be able to fix the dishwasher without having to spend any money!

Question: Why Does My Dishwasher Make A Grinding Noise?

There are a few reasons why your dishwasher might be making a grinding noise. One possibility is that the dishwasher is trying to pump out dirty water and the motor is struggling to move the water. If this is the case, you might need to clean out the dishwasher’s filter to help it run more efficiently.

Another possibility is that there is something blocking the dishwasher’s spray arm, which can prevent it from spraying water properly and cause the machine to make a noise. You can try cleaning out the spray arm with a toothbrush or another small brush to see if that helps solve the problem.

If neither of those things seems to be causing the noise, then it’s possible that there is something wrong with the dishwasher’s motor. In this case, you might need to call a technician to come and take a look at the machine.

No matter what is causing your dishwasher to make a grinding noise, it’s important to address the problem as soon as possible.

A malfunctioning dishwasher can not only be frustrating, but it can also be a safety hazard. So if you’re experiencing this problem, take some time to investigate the possible causes and try to fix it yourself or call in a professional for help.

Thing to consider before trying to fix dishwasher making grinding noise

There are a few things you should consider before trying to fix your dishwasher if it’s making a grinding noise.

First, make sure that you unplug the machine and disconnect it from the water supply before attempting to fix it.
Next, check to see if there is any obstructions in the dishwasher’s drainage system that might be causing the grinding noise.
Finally, if you’ve ruled out both of those possibilities, then read on to find the possible solution to fixing your dishwasher!

Why Does My Dishwasher Make A Grinding Noise

Tips on How to Fix Dishwasher Make A Grinding Noise

1. Clean the dishwasher filter.

It’s possible that the dishwasher filter is full of food particles and needs to be cleaned. When the dishwasher filter is clogged, it can restrict water flow and cause the dishwasher to make a grinding noise.

It’s also important to clean the dishwasher filter regularly because it helps keep the dishwasher running efficiently. A clogged dishwasher filter can reduce water pressure and cause the machine to overheat.

So it’s a good idea to clean the dishwasher filter every few months – or whenever you notice that the dishwasher isn’t cleaning dishes as well as it used to.

Here are the steps to cleaning the dishwasher filter:

Unplug the dishwasher or turn off the power at the breaker.
Remove the lower dishwasher rack.
Look for a removable filter at the bottom of the dishwasher tub. This is where food and debris can accumulate.
If the filter is dirty, remove it and rinse it off with hot water.
Reinsert the filter and replace the dishwasher rack.
Plug in the dishwasher or turn on the power at the breaker.
Run a cycle with hot water to clean the dishwasher tub.

2. Make sure the dishwasher is properly balanced.

There can be a few different causes of a dishwasher making a grinding noise, but one common culprit is an unbalanced dishwasher.

When the dishwasher is imbalanced, it can cause the machine to move around more as it’s in motion, which can lead to the parts rubbing together and creating that grinding noise.

Here is a simple guide to balance the dishwasher:

To check its balance, you’ll need to get access to the inside of the machine.
Once you have, locate the two screws on the front bottom of the machine (near where the door closes).
Remove these screws and then pull down on the front panel of the dishwashe tor reveal the inside.
Now, look for the two screws on the top of the dishwasher that hold the dishwasher in place.
Remove these screws and set them aside.
Next, locate the dishwasher’s suspension arms (the long metal pieces sticking out from either side of the machine).
Gently lift up on each arm until you can see the dishwasher’s wheel at the bottom.
If the dishwasher looks like it’s tilted to one side, it’s unbalanced and needs to be adjusted. To do this, you’ll need to twist the suspension arms until the dishwasher is balanced. Be very careful when doing this as you don’t want to damage any of the dishwasher’s parts.
Once the dishwasher is balanced, reattach the suspension arms and screws, then put the front panel back on.
Finally, screw in the screws at the bottom of the front panel and you’re done.

3. Check the drainage system to make sure it’s clear.

There are a few potential reasons why your dishwasher might be making a grinding noise.

One possibility is that there’s something caught in the drain pipe, which is causing the machine to struggle as it tries to pump the water out. Checking and cleaning the drainage system can help rule this out and fix the problem.

Here’s a simple guide to cleaning the drainage system:

Unplug your dishwasher and disconnect the water supply.
Remove the drainpipe by unscrewing it from the dishwasher.
Use a small brush to clean any debris out of the pipe and hose.
Replace the drain pipe and reconnect the water supply.
Plug in your dishwasher and run a cycle to test it.

4. Adjust the diverter arms.

The arms might need adjusting if the machine is making a grinding noise because they can become misaligned and cause the grinding sound.

It’s important to ensure that the arms are properly aligned in order to ensure that the machine washes dishes effectively. If they’re not aligned, then water and food particles can get caught in between them, which will result in the grinding noise.

By fixing the arm adjustment, you can help to fix the dishwasher and stop it from making that annoying noise.

Here’s a simple guide to adjusting the diverter arms:

Unplug the dishwasher
Remove the lower rack
Locate the two arms that are located at the back of the dishwasher
Use a screwdriver to adjust them until they’re in line with each other
Replace the rack and plug in the machine

Get our FREE Recipe Book

Get our FREE recipe book full of easy-to-follow recipes to help keep your meals delicious and healthy all year long!

5. Check if there are any obstructions in the machine.

It’s important to check for obstructions when fixing a dishwasher making a grinding noise because the obstruction could be causing damage to the dishwasher.

For example, if a piece of silverware gets stuck in the dishwasher and starts rubbing against the motor, it can cause significant wear and tear.

If you do find an obstruction in the dishwasher, make sure to remove it as soon as possible. Not only will this fix the noise problem, but it will also help keep the dishwasher running smoothly and prevent any further damage.

Here’s a simple guide to checking for obstructions:

Remove the dishwasher’s spray arm and check for any obstructions.
Look inside of the dishwasher and make sure there are no items blocking the water inlet or the drain.
Check to see if anything is caught in the pump impeller.

6. Check water supply valve.

It’s possible that the noise you’re hearing is coming from the water supply valve. If it is, fixing it could solve your problem.

If there’s something blocking the valve or if it’s loose, it can cause a grinding noise as water flows through it. So before you do anything else, check to see if the valve is tight and free of debris. If it is, then you can move on to other possible causes of the noise.

But if the valve needs to be replaced, that’s something you’ll want to take care of sooner rather than later.

Here’s a simple guide to checking water supply valve and fixing it:

Turn off the dishwasher’s power supply.
Shut off the water supply to the dishwasher.
Disconnect the dishwasher’s hoses.
Remove the screws that hold the valve in place and remove the valve.
Install a new valve and reattach the screws.
Reconnect the hoses and turn on the water supply.
Turn on the dishwasher’s power supply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there anything else I can do to prevent my dishwasher from making a grinding noise?

There are a few things you can do to prevent your dishwasher from making a grinding noise.

First, make sure the dishwasher is level. If it’s not level, the dishes won’t get clean and this could cause the dishwasher to make a grinding noise.

Second, make sure you’re using the correct size dishwasher detergent tabs. If you’re using too many or too few detergent tabs, this could also cause the dishwasher to make a grinding noise.

Finally, check to see if there’s anything blocking the dishwasher’s spray arm. If there is something blocking the spray arm, it will prevent the machine from cleaning your dishes properly and could cause a grinding noise.

How do I know if my dishwasher motor is bad?

There are a few telltale signs that your dishwasher motor might be bad. If your dishwasher is making strange noises, vibrating excessively, or not cleaning dishes as well as it used to, it’s possible that the motor is malfunctioning.

If your dishwasher motor is bad, you might experience any number of the following symptoms:

• The dishwasher doesn’t seem to be washing the dishes properly
• The dishwasher is leaving water spots on dishes
• The dishwasher is taking a very long time to wash dishes
• The dishwasher is making strange noises

You can also test the motor yourself by unplugging the dishwasher and removing the bottom panel. There should be a small black box with two connectors coming out of it – this is the motor.

With the dishwasher off, use a voltmeter to check whether there is electricity going to the motor. If there is no electricity getting to the motor, then it’s likely that it needs to be replaced.

How do I know if my dishwasher pump is bad?

There are a few ways to tell if your dishwasher pump is bad.

One way is to listen for a loud noise when the dishwasher is running. This usually means that the pump is having trouble getting the water out of the dishwasher and is working harder than it should be.

Another way to tell if the pump is bad is by checking the water level in the dishwasher. If it’s not draining properly, then there’s a good chance that the pump needs to be replaced.

Lastly, you can test the pump by pouring water into it directly. If it doesn’t seem to be pumping water out, then it’s probably time for a new pump.

What is the average life expectancy of a dishwasher?

The average life expectancy of a dishwasher is about 10 years.

However, there are many factors that can affect the lifespan of a dishwasher, such as the quality of the machine, how often it is used, and the types of dishes that are being washed.

So if you’re looking for a dishwasher that will last you for a long time, be sure to choose a high-quality machine from a reputable brand, and make sure to use it regularly.

And if you have particularly dirty dishes, be sure to pre-rinse them before loading them into the dishwasher.

How much does it cost to replace a motor in a dishwasher?

It can cost anywhere from $100 to $300, depending on the make and model of the dishwasher. Many times, the dishwasher motor will need to be replaced if the dishwasher starts making strange noises or if it’s not cleaning dishes as well as it used to.

If your dishwasher is still under warranty, you may be able to get the motor replaced for free. However, if your dishwasher is out of warranty, you’ll likely have to pay for the replacement motor yourself.

In some cases, you may be able to find a used motor online or at a salvage yard that will fit your dishwasher and that will be cheaper than buying a brand new one.

Is it worth fixing a dishwasher?

Depends. If it’s a dishwasher that you use frequently, then it’s definitely worth fixing. If it’s one that you only use occasionally, then it might not be worth the hassle to fix.

Other times, there might be something blocking the water from flowing into
In general, though, repairing a dishwasher is not a difficult task.

If you’re unsure of how to fix your dishwasher, there are plenty of resources available online, or you can contact a professional to help you out.

Final Thought

We hope that this article was able to help you understand the common causes of dishwasher grinding noises, and more importantly, how to fix them.

If you are still experiencing problems with your dishwasher after following our tips, it is best to reach out to a professional for assistance. Thanks for reading!

About 10 Minute Homemaking

10 Minute Homemaking has been one of the most reliable go-to resources for home goods, kitchen goods, and recipes. We’re proud to provide the best recommendations with our research, which takes up to 20 to 40 hours per article.

The research focuses heavily on live-testing different variants in the product category to recommend the best options for a variety of needs. For deeper research and to help guide the selection process, we spoke to industry experts and manufacturers for a better insight on the recommended products.