Why is my washing machine making a noise?

You might think your noisy washing machine is just a minor annoyance. However, you should never ignore a washing machine that’s making an odd noise, as it can often develop into a serious, and potentially dangerous fault.

In this post, we’ll discuss some of the reasons why your washing machine may be giving you a headache. A couple of these issues can be fixed yourself, but on the whole, if you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s best to call an experienced engineer.

Washing machine noisy when spinning

Worn drum bearings are one of the most common reasons for washing machines making a loud noise when they’re on spin.

This will be one of the first things that an engineer will check for. They’ll usually remove the drum belt and spin the drum by hand. If there’s still a noise, it’s probably the drum bearings. The noise may be accompanied by a brown patch appearing underneath the machine. Worn bearings are generally a repair job for an engineer – you shouldn’t try to tackle it yourself.

Some modern washing machines are now produced with the outer drum completely sealed. This means that if the bearings have gone, the washing machine can’t be repaired. If this is the case, we’ve got you covered. Martin Dawes have a wide range of affordable, quality washing machines and washer dryers from top manufacturers such as Samsung and Montpellier.

Washing machine drum moving around too much

If you can move the washing machine drum around quite a bit with your hand, this is known as ‘excessive play’ and also indicates worn drum bearings, or a worn drum shaft. However, if it only moves at one particular point then it’s more likely to be a broken or corroded drum spider – see image below.

Broken washing machine drum spider

Another way to tell if a broken drum spider is the cause of your noisy washing machine is to check whether the sound is only on each revolution of the drum. If so, it’s probably the drum spider. If it’s a constant noise, it’s more likely to be the bearings.

Is there something stuck in my washing machine?

Whilst some of the causes of a noisy washing machine are complex, others are pretty simple. However, if left, they can cause problems that are just as expensive to put right.

Items left in pockets are common culprits of noisy washing machines. Coins, hair grips, or small stones - in the case of young children - frequently get stuck and cause lots of noise when the machine is spinning.

Many washing machines now have plastic tubs, and small objects such as these can easily punch a hole in the drum, completely ruining the machine. Even if you can’t find an item in the drum itself, or in the door seal, it’s possible that something could have fallen into the filter or sump hose. You might be able to hear it if you tip your machine side to side, or back and forth.

Bra wires are another frequent cause of noisy washing machines. If the noise is more of a scraping than a rattling, then check to see if any of your bras are missing a wire! Sometimes you’ll find them stuck inside the door seal, but if not, check whether it’s poking through one of the drum’s holes – if so, you should be able to retrieve it fairly easily.

Washing machine noisy when draining water

A good rule of thumb is that if the washing machine is making noise when spinning, it’s usually the drum or motor. If it’s making noise the rest of the time, there is probably an issue with the pump filter or the pump itself.

This could be caused by an object causing an obstruction in the pump – meaning that you hear a noise when water is being emptied from the machine.

Washing machine making a loud banging sound

Front loading washing machines all have shock absorbers, which centre the movement of the drum. If the shock absorbers become weak over time, this usually causes a loud banging sound when the machine is spinning.

Washing machines are fairly complex, and there are therefore many other reasons why your washing machine could be making a noise – but the ones we’ve covered above are the most common.

For most of these issues, you’ll need to call an engineer, but if you fancy yourself as a bit of a DIY expert, you may like to try fixing it yourself. Find your washing machine manual here

If you’re having frequent issues with your washing machine, it’s probably time for a replacement. As something you use every day, it’s definitely a worthwhile investment. Take a look at our range of washing machines today, and think about upgrading to a washer dryer – perfect for when you can’t peg out due to unpredictable British weather!

Here at Martin Dawes, we offer a full installation service and thorough aftercare. If you have any questions about any of our products, give us a call on 01925 938 999.