Like all home appliances, dishwashers can make loud sounds. Some noises are normal, like the hiss of water rushing through the water inlet fill valve or the hum of the pump motor, but when it produces strange or unexpected sounds, it’s important to investigate.
When your dishwasher is making these strange sounds, it’s best to try and diagnose the issue before it gets worse.
Grinding can be caused by broken glass or hard foods, like popcorn kernels, stuck in the chopper blade
A thumping noise could be the drain line vibrating against the cabinet
The wash pump and drain pump create loud buzzing sounds if they are broken
The wash pump motor may squeal if its bearings go bad
Other problems that can plague your dishwasher
Learn about the common reasons for unexpected dishwasher issues and determine if you can make repairs yourself. Sears Home Services has the parts and accessories that homeowners need for DIY dishwasher repairs. When in doubt, you can also schedule an appointment with the technicians to diagnose the issue, even if you don’t have a warranty.
Why does my dishwasher stop mid-cycle?
A dishwasher that stops unexpectedly can suggest that you have a broken door latch, failing heating element, faulty vent fan, tripped circuit breaker, sensor failure, or a broader control system issue.
Open and close the door to make sure it is latched. Then, check your home’s circuit breaker to see if the power source was cut off. If the cause is not obvious, Sears Home Services can help troubleshoot.
Why can't I adjust the dishwasher rack height?
The height adjustment functionality in a dishwasher makes it easier to load taller items. Over time, or if used forcefully, it can be damaged and cause the dish rack to sag. Sears Home Services can help you get the right [dishwasher parts](/category/1234583/dishwasher-parts) to restore function to your kitchen.
Why does my dishwasher hum, but there’s no water?
A dishwasher that makes a humming sound but won’t fill with water may have a damaged water inlet valve or broken overfill float switch. It may also be affected by hard water blockages.
First, check to make sure the water supply line and cut-off valve is open. Then, see if an object is preventing the overfill float from freely moving up and down. If the float assembly is stuck, the dishwasher fill valve won't let water into the dishwasher tub. If the valve and overfill float seem to be operating correctly, a failed electronic control board or timer could also prevent the dishwasher from filling.
How do I know if my inlet valve is bad on my dishwasher?
There are several common signs that a dishwasher water inlet valve is faulty. The appliance may fill slowly, or not at all. In fact, you might find that your dishes are dirty after the wash cycle, as if there wasn’t enough water in the appliance to circulate and clean. The valve may also fail to turn off when not in use, causing the dishwasher tub to fill with water between use.
Why is my dishwasher leaking?
If you see water leaking around the washer or from under the kickplate, take notice. Many [parts of a dishwasher](/diy/article/what-are-the-main-parts-of-a-dishwasher) could be affected, such as a damaged or stuck spray arm, a loose or broken door hinge, damaged pump seals, a leaking drain line, broken motor assembly, or a leak in the water inlet.
As many of these appliance repairs require you to uninstall the appliance for diagnostics, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with Sears Home Services for assistance if you need help.
Why won't my dishwasher drain?
There are several reasons why a dishwasher won’t drain:
A failing drain pump won’t remove water from the dishwasher
Debris clogging the drain and the impeller blade can prevent the sump area in the bottom of the dishwasher from draining
A malfunctioning check valve prevents water from backing up into the dishwasher sump through the drain hose. Water may drain out of the dishwasher while the drain pump runs but then flow back into the dishwasher after the drain pump stops.
Why does my dishwasher door drop open too fast?
If the dishwasher door drops without any resistance, a tension spring may be broken or disconnected, or the door hinges might be broken. Hinges can be replaced easily by a technician if they show signs of wear. If a dishwasher door spring is broken, it’s important to replace both springs at the same time to ensure that the control tension is the same on both sides of the door.
Why don't my dishes get dry?
Glass, ceramic, and metal dishes typically dry by the end of the dishwashing cycle, but an issue with the rinse aid dispenser, the heating element, or the drying fan can change that.
A heated drying setting is often turned off to save energy, but if your dishes aren't drying as well as you'd like them to, you might want to consider turning it back on to test which elements are not working in your dishwasher. You may be able to diagnose that the heating element is broken or that the thermostat for the element may have tripped in error.
Why won't my dishwasher start?
Diagnosing why a dishwasher won’t start isn’t always easy. It could be as obvious as a light switch in your home being off, lack of power source from your grid, a broken dishwasher door switch, or more serious wiring issues or control system failure.
Start by checking the door switch. If the door switch is okay, a damaged control panel, failed user interface control or broken electronic control board can prevent the dishwasher from starting. If your dishwasher uses a mechanical timer control, a failed timer can prevent the cycle from starting. Also, some dishwashers won't start if they don't fill with water. When in doubt, our knowledgeable technicians can help you get to the root of the issue and help make dishwasher repairs.
