What does a washing machine making a loud noise when spinning mean?
A washing machine making a loud noise when spinning has a fault you can identify by the type of sound.
- Rumbling or roaring that grows with speed: drum bearings.
- Banging: unbalanced load, transit bolts, shock absorbers or suspension rods.
- Grinding or rattling: a coin or bra wire between the drums or in the pump.
- Squealing: drive belt.
Common causes of a washing machine making noise when spinning
The common causes run from an unbalanced load to worn drum bearings, simplest first.
At a glance
| Sound | Likely cause | Who fixes it |
|---|---|---|
| Banging or thumping | Unbalanced load or machine not level | You can check this |
| Violent shaking on a new machine | Transit bolts left in | You can check this |
| Rattling when draining | Coin or hairpin in the pump filter | You can check this |
| Grinding or scraping as the drum turns | Coin or bra wire between the drums | Technician |
| Banging with a balanced load | Shock absorbers or suspension rods | Technician |
| Squealing as the spin starts | Drive belt | Technician |
| Rumbling or roaring that grows with speed | Drum bearings | Technician |
- 1
Banging: the load is unbalanced
You can check thisA single heavy item or a tangled load pulls the drum off centre. The drum bangs against the cabinet as the speed rises. Stop the cycle and spread the load.
- 2
Banging: the machine is not level
You can check thisAll four feet must carry weight. A machine that rocks at the corners knocks and walks across the floor on the spin. Adjust the feet and tighten the lock nuts.
- 3
Banging: the transit bolts are still fitted
You can check thisTransit bolts lock the tub of a front loader for transport. A new or recently moved machine that shakes violently still has them in. Unplug the machine and remove them from the back, as the manual shows.
- 4
Grinding or rattling: a coin or bra wire is trapped
TechnicianSmall items slip between the inner drum and the outer tub, or into the pump. Turn the empty drum by hand and listen for scraping. A rattle only when draining comes from the pump filter. A technician removes items from the tub.
- 5
Banging: the shock absorbers or suspension rods are worn
TechnicianShock absorbers on a front loader and suspension rods on a top loader damp the tub movement. Push the empty drum down and release it. A drum that keeps bouncing has worn dampers. A technician replaces them.
- 6
Squealing: the drive belt is slipping
TechnicianThe belt drives the drum pulley from the motor. A worn or loose belt squeals as the spin starts. A technician fits a new belt.
- 7
Rumbling or roaring: the drum bearings are worn
TechnicianDrum bearings carry the drum shaft at the back of the tub. Worn bearings rumble when the drum is turned by hand and roar at full spin. The tub seal has usually failed too, causing a washing machine leaking from underneath. This is a major technician repair.
What you can safely check yourself
- Switch off and unplugSwitch off at the plug point and unplug before you reach into the drum.
- Turn the empty drum by handA smooth, quiet drum rules out the bearings. Scraping means a trapped object.
- Lift the inner drumOn a front loader, lift the drum at the door opening. It must not move up and down against the outer tub.
- Check the feet and transit boltsRock the machine at each corner and adjust the feet. Look for transit bolts on the back of a front loader.
- Spin a balanced loadRun a spin with a medium mixed load and compare the noise.
When to stop and call a technician
Stop and unplug the machine if you smell burning, see sparks or the machine trips the earth leakage. Stop if the drum scrapes, the inner drum moves loosely or water leaks from under the machine. Stop if the noise returns with a balanced load. Do not remove panels.
Still having trouble with your washing machine?
Our technician comes to your home, usually the same day. The R450 call-out falls away if you go ahead, and you get a fixed price in writing before any work starts.
How a technician diagnoses a noisy washing machine
- Reproduces the noiseThe technician runs the spin in test mode, empty and loaded.
- Isolates the bearingsThe belt is removed and the drum is turned by hand to separate bearing noise from motor noise.
- Inspects the suspensionThe springs, shock absorbers or suspension rods and the counterweight bolts are checked.
- Searches for foreign objectsThe sump hose, pump and tub are checked for coins and wires.
Washing machine making noise when washing or draining
A washing machine making noise when washing, before the spin, usually has a trapped object, worn bearings or a worn top loader gearbox. A noise only when draining comes from debris in the drain pump, covered under washing machine not draining. Bearing, gearbox and suspension faults need a washing machine repair technician.
Is a noisy washing machine worth repairing?
Repair usually makes sense when
- The fault is a belt, shock absorbers, suspension rods or a trapped object
- The bearings are worn but the tub can be opened
- The cabinet and drum show no rust
Replacement is worth considering when
- The bearings have failed on a machine with a sealed tub
- The drum spider has cracked on an old machine
- The tub was damaged by running on failed bearings