Dishwasher Making Noise
Dishwashers run quietly enough that a new noise usually means something specific has changed -- a part rattling loose, an object caught somewhere in the wash system, or a motor bearing starting to wear. Matching the sound to when it happens in the cycle narrows the cause quickly.
A rhythmic knocking that repeats on a steady beat usually means something is physically hitting something else on every rotation -- most often a spray arm striking a rack or a dish that has shifted into its path. A continuous grinding or growling sound throughout the wash portion of the cycle points toward the wash pump or chopper assembly instead. A high-pitched whine specifically during the drain portion points to the drain pump motor.
For noise from other appliances, see Appliance Making Loud Noise, which covers washers, dryers, and refrigerators as well.
Safety first. A dishwasher combines household electricity with a pressurized water supply line and a tub that can hold hot standing water.
- Shut off power at the breaker. Most dishwashers are hardwired rather than plugged into an accessible outlet, so the breaker is the actual disconnect -- turning the dial or touchpad off does not remove power from the unit.
- Close the water supply valve under the sink or at the shutoff before disconnecting any hose, valve, or fitting.
- Standing water in the tub may be scalding. Let it cool before reaching in with bare hands.
- Never work on a unit that is still wired live. Confirm power is off at the breaker itself, not just at the control panel, before touching internal components.
Most Likely Causes
- Spray arm hitting the rack or a dish — The most common cause. Broken or missing rack roller wheels let the lower rack sag just enough for the spray arm to knock against it on every rotation, and an oversized item can block the arm's path directly. Rack roller wheels are sold as Rack Roller (WD12X272, WD12X0272, or WD28X305).
- Object caught in the chopper/grinder assembly — A piece of glass, a fruit pit, or bone fragment caught in the chopper that shreds food debris before it reaches the drain produces a loud, continuous grinding noise throughout the wash portion of the cycle. Related parts are sold as Kit - Piranh (WD01X10572 or WD01X10573).
- Worn wash pump or drain pump motor bearing — A motor bearing nearing the end of its life produces a steady whine or growl that gets louder over weeks. Sold as Pump Motor (8535150) or Motor (8534941).
How to Check Each Part
- Rack rollers and spray arm clearance: Pull the lower rack all the way out and check each wheel for cracks or a wheel that no longer spins; then load the rack normally and spin the spray arm by hand to confirm it clears every item.
- Chopper assembly: With power off at the breaker and the tub empty, reach into the sump area at the bottom of the tub (check your model's access path) and feel for a hard object caught near the chopper blades before running another cycle.
- Pump motor: Run an empty cycle with the door cracked open, if your model allows it, and listen closely to pinpoint whether the sound is loudest during fill, wash, or drain -- that alone tells you which pump to inspect first.
Reducing the Risk of Jammed Objects
Most chopper and pump jams come from things that should have been scraped off dishes before loading -- fruit pits, bones, twist ties, and broken glass are the most common offenders. Rinsing dishes lightly to remove large debris before loading, without pre-washing them by hand, is enough to prevent most of these jams without wasting water. Checking the sump filter for trapped debris every few weeks also catches a lodged item before it works its way further into the chopper or pump housing.
Check Your Exact Model
Once you have narrowed the cause down to a part type, confirm it against your exact dishwasher rather than guessing from the brand alone. Use the model and part lookup tool to search by your dishwasher's full model number, or start from one of these confirmed model pages to see the exact parts list for that unit:
- Whirlpool 2214573N612
- Whirlpool 2213229N414
- Whirlpool 66512762K312
- Whirlpool 2213223N414
- Whirlpool 2214715N710
Related Symptoms
If this is not quite the problem you are seeing, browse the full list of repair symptoms.
| Symptom | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Spray Arm Not Rotating | Dishes on one level come out dirty while the other level is clean |
| Dishwasher Not Cleaning | Dishes come out with food residue or a cloudy film |
| Dishwasher Not Draining | Standing water in the bottom of the tub after a cycle |
| Appliance Making Loud Noise | Same failure pattern across washer, dryer, and refrigerator |
Still not sure? Use the model and part lookup tool to search by your appliance model number directly.
How to Confirm Before You Buy a Part
Before ordering any replacement part, take a minute to confirm fitment -- it is the difference between a repair that works the first time and a part that has to be sent back.
- Find the model/serial plate. On most dishwashers it is on the edge of the door (visible when the door is open) or stamped into the metal rim of the tub itself, just inside the door. See how to find your model number if you cannot locate it.
- Read the full model number exactly as printed, including every letter and dash -- manufacturers reuse near-identical model numbers across different production runs that take different parts.
- Verify the part fits that exact model using the model and part lookup tool before you buy, rather than assuming a part that looks the same will fit.
The full model number matters more than the brand and appliance type alone. Manufacturers commonly reuse one tub and door design across many model numbers over several years, changing the exact pump, spray arm, or control board partway through the run -- so two dishwashers that look identical side by side can still take different parts.