Washing machine making a noise: causes and safe checks

Usually simple

Quick answer

Loud banging, knocking or rattling is usually caused by a machine that isn’t level, transit bolts left in, coins in the drum or seal, or hoses knocking against the cabinet. Gurgling while draining often means the drain hose is pushed too deep. Some motor and pump hum is normal. Grinding or screeching needs an engineer.

Also covers: washing machine banging · washing machine rattling · washing machine grinding noise · washing machine loud on spin.

This can be normal

All washing machines make some noise. AEG and Bosch both say low-level humming from the motor and pump during a programme is normal.

Likely causes

What you can safely check yourself

Stop and call a qualified engineer if:
  • The code or problem comes back after you’ve done the safe checks on this page.
  • You smell burning, see smoke or scorch marks, or the appliance trips your electrics. Stop using it, and switch it off at the wall only if it is safe to reach. Otherwise switch off at the consumer unit.
  • The next step would mean removing a cover or panel, or working on the pump, valves, heater, motor, door lock or wiring. That is a job for a qualified engineer.
  • The appliance is still under warranty. Contact the manufacturer first, because DIY work can affect your cover.

Work through these in order. Stop as soon as one of the signs above applies.

Check the machine is level and on a firm floor Take care

Before you start
  • Switch off and unplug the appliance at the wall socket before you touch hoses, filters or the back of the machine. Make sure your hands and the plug area are dry.
  1. Rock the machine gently from each corner. It should not wobble.
  2. Put a spirit level on top, front to back and side to side.
  3. Adjust the feet until it is level and all four feet are firmly on the floor, then tighten the lock nuts as your installation guide shows.
  4. Wooden or springy floors make vibration worse. Manufacturers suggest a hard surface, ideally in a corner.

If the machine is new or has been moved, check the transit bolts are out Take care

Before you start
  • Switch off and unplug the appliance at the wall socket before you touch hoses, filters or the back of the machine. Make sure your hands and the plug area are dry.
  1. Look at the back of the machine. Transit bolts hold the drum still for transport and must be removed before use.
  2. If they are still fitted, remove them as your installation instructions describe and fit the blanking caps that came with the machine. If you’re not comfortable doing this, ask the installer or retailer.

Don’t run the machine with the transit bolts fitted.

Don’t remove any other bolts or screws from the back panel.

Check the drum and door seal for coins and small objects

Before you start
  • Switch off and unplug the appliance at the wall socket before you touch hoses, filters or the back of the machine. Make sure your hands and the plug area are dry.
  1. With the machine switched off and unplugged, take the laundry out.
  2. Look in the folds of the door seal and around the drum for coins, buttons, hair grips or underwire.
  3. Remove anything you can see and reach easily, with tweezers if needed.
  4. Empty pockets before every wash. Coins and buckles can damage the drum and the door glass.

Don’t try to reach objects that have fallen behind the drum. That needs an engineer.

Check the hoses aren’t touching the cabinet or pushed too deep Take care

Before you start
  • Switch off and unplug the appliance at the wall socket before you touch hoses, filters or the back of the machine. Make sure your hands and the plug area are dry.
  • The appliance is heavy. Pull it out slowly, ideally with help, and don’t strain the hoses or the cable.
  1. Make sure the drain and inlet hoses aren’t resting against the side panels or trapped behind the machine, where they can knock and rattle.
  2. A drain hose pushed too deep into the standpipe can gurgle or suck during draining. Set it to the depth your installation guide gives.
  3. Straighten any kinks or sharp bends along the drain hose.

Clean the drain pump filter Take care

Before you start
  • Switch off and unplug the appliance at the wall socket before you touch hoses, filters or the back of the machine. Make sure your hands and the plug area are dry.
  • Water inside can be hot after a hot wash. Wait for it to cool before opening a filter.
  • Expect water to come out. Put towels and a shallow tray or baking dish down first.
  • Never force a locked door, a stuck filter cap or a seized part. Forcing it usually causes more damage.
Where the drain pump filter usually is Filter flap bottom front, one side Shallow tray + towels drain slowly, a bit at a time Filter cap turn anticlockwise slowly Some models have a small emergency drain hose here too
Where the drain pump filter usually is. Positions vary by model — check your manual.
  1. Find the small flap at the bottom front of the machine. Your manual shows the exact location and whether there is a small emergency drain hose.
  2. With towels and a tray in place, release the water slowly, using the emergency hose if there is one, or by turning the filter cap a little at a time. Expect more water than you think, and empty the tray as often as you need to.
  3. When the water has stopped, unscrew the filter fully and remove fluff, coins, hair grips and other debris. Rinse it under the tap.
  4. Look into the opening to check the pump blade can turn freely. If you can see it, manufacturers suggest turning it gently with a pencil, never with your fingers.
  5. Refit the filter firmly in its locked position and close the flap. Check for drips the next time the machine runs.

Don’t reach in with fingers past the filter opening.

Don’t open the filter while the machine is running or the water is hot.

Showing an error code?

These codes are related to this problem. Codes differ by brand, so pick yours:

Related problems

Brand guides: AEG, Hotpoint, LG, Samsung. More washing machine problems and codes, or use the fault finder.

Sources

Last checked against these sources: .

We write every page in our own words from manufacturer guidance and check it against the sources above. If your manual says something different, follow your manual. How we check.