Dishwasher Making Crackling Noise During Wash Cycle – (Easy Fix)

Your dishwasher is an electrical machine that can create many types of noise due to many reasons.

Life isn’t always smooth sailing. Even the most straightforward household task could annoy you—when your dishwasher makes an unusual noise.

Typically, a well-functioning dishwasher should not make any noise, but it does make a sound. What’s the difference?

The most common sound a dishwasher can make is a cracking or crackling sound. This sounds a little alarming. But when this happens, there could be something caught inside.

To understand this better, let us check the different reasons behind your dishwasher making crackling noise.

Reason Behind the Dishwasher Crackling Noise

1. Something is Hitting the Rotating Arm or Chopper Blade

Load the dishes and utensils properly in the dishwasher and make sure nothing goes below the racks to prevent the chopper from tangling with the items while the dishwasher is running.

Proper will not only protect dishwasher parts, especially the chopper, but also your dishes and utensils.

Proper loading will prevent the breakage of glasses and scratching of elegant pots.

2. Sometimes, a Rattling Sound is Heard or a Grinding Noise

The rattling and grinding noise often happen when the dishwasher is new.

To correct this problem, load at least two quarts of water before running the dishwasher.

Check if the water valve is on.

Next Read: Gas Oven Sounds Like a Blowtorch : [5 Easy Ways to Fix]

3. Something is Blocking the Pump

Sometimes, due to frequent use and being unmindful of what’s happening to your dishwasher, small debris of glass or plastic stuck to the drain pump and created a crackling noise.

Try to check the dishwasher drain pump for any clutter and clear it out. If the noise is still resuming, you need a professional to inspect your unit.

4. Faulty Dishwasher Pump Motor

If there is a crackling noise and it seems the dishwasher is not usually running, but you hear the motor, turn it off immediately.

Never fix the motor yourself if you have no experience or skill to do so. Call your technician and let him check up on the motor. Faulty motors at most need replacement.

5. Old Dishwasher

It is expected for old appliances to make all kinds of weird noises when they reach their due.

If you have been using the dishwasher for several years already and have passed all new and updated models, maybe it is time to let it go.

It is better to buy a brand-new dishwasher than settle on the cranky old one. Unknowingly, you will be saving more money on energy bills than on several visits by a repairman.

Make sure to buy a unit that qualifies for energy saving, quality, and efficiency than settling for a cheaper one with fewer features.

Pro tip: Change the water inlet valve if you hear a squealing, buzzing, or vibrating noise during the filling cycle. It may have been deformed from constant interaction with water pressure.

Common Noise Made by Dishwasher

1. Buzzing Noise

It is normal for a dishwasher to make a buzzing sound. It means it is in operation.

The dishwasher will buzz when it’s draining water.

The pump drain impeller may cause a loud noise that is quite alarming.

2. Grinding Noise

A grinding noise can be caused by a broken object during the wash and has wedged inside the heat pump. Or it could be undissolved food.

Before loading the plates and cutlery into the dishwasher, remove the clutter and food residue.

Sometimes, even the intense pressure of water isn’t enough to immaculately clean the dishes.

3. Rattling Noise

It seems to detect what’s causing the rattling noise because the dishwasher is full of dishes!

Also, fruit peels, eggshells, uneaten nuts, or similar clutter will create a rattling sound once the machine operates.

However, it is not at all times that the dishes are the cause of the rattling sound. It could be the faulty motor that’s causing it.

4. Popping Noise

A popping sound is an indication of an electrical fault.

If you experience a loud pop from your dishwasher when it’s running and then the lights suddenly flicker, turn off the unit quickly, unplug it, and have someone knowledgeable check on the wiring.

If an electrical fault causes it, you will most likely smell burnt rubber.

5. Thumping Noise

Like a knocking noise or crackling noise, something inside the dishwasher is hitting the spray arm or chopper.

Arrange the dishes when loading them and ensure nothing hits the spray arm by doing a simple test. Manually rotate the spray arm and see if it bumps into something.

Next Read: Why My Microwave Making Popping Noise?

A thumping noise is also an indication of a faulty inlet valve. Check the drain hose that’s located behind the dishwasher going towards the garbage disposal.

6. Humming Noise

This is a typical sound from the dishwasher, especially when it is new. It is an indication that the drain pump is running.

Sometimes, dishwashers with a fan unit make a humming sound, indicating the next phase in cleaning. It is on the stage of removing heat and drying the dishes.

7. Strange Noise

If the noise is indescribable but odd or strange, the dishwasher could have faulty parts or improper loading of dishes.

Wait for the dishwasher to cool down before opening it and inspect loose parts or debris and food implements stuck within.

Pro tip: A wash impeller is a rotor used to increase the pressure and flow of a fluid. That’s why sometimes you hear a humming or buzzing sound.

Related Questions

Dishwasher making a noise when water circulates?

It is normal for a dishwasher to make a noise when water is circulating. You will hear the splashing and the rain effect when the propeller starts to spin and soak the dishes. This will go on until rinsing time.

Why is your whirlpool dishwasher making a horrible noise?

A horrible noise from your Whirlpool dishwasher could mean loose bearings or a faulty pump and motor. Do not disassemble these parts if you have no experience in dishwashing motor assembly or similar appliances. Call your technician to check the unit.

What is the average life expectancy of a dishwasher?

The average life expectancy of a dishwasher, according to consumer reports, is around ten years. But this doesn’t mean you will not encounter any trouble in that span of years. Most likely, dishwashers will create weird noises within five years of use.

What problems can cause a dishwasher not to work?

There are a handful of reasons for your dishwasher not to work. These could be any of the following:

• A bad electrical connection that’s why the machine won’t start.
• The door is not latched correctly. If the door is half-closed, the device will send a beeping sound to alert you.
• Problem with the valve. It is possible that the water valve is off or that the water pressure is not enough.
• Premature water draining.
• Blocked drain valve.

Pro tip: The dishwasher will make noise if even one of its impellers fails to move or the blades are broken.

Conclusion

Dishwashers are run by an electrical motor and valves, expecting them to make different kinds of noise when running.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t expect to hear weird sounds. If you feel that the sound is already interfering with the dishwasher’s normal operation, there could be something wrong.

Strange or weird sound is an indication of any technical issue that needs expert attention. Ignoring these signals will only pile up until you find the machine no longer capable of doing its task.

If you know how to troubleshoot, it’s fine. But we don’t recommend fixing electrical issues just because your task is hampered.

Let someone check on your appliance and have it serviced by an authorized or skilled technician instead of endlessly guessing what’s going on.

You will be saving more money and time if you know how to take care of your home appliances.