Noises and operation

Dishwasher Making Grinding Noise

Dishwasher making grinding noise? Start by checking for hard debris, spray arm interference, and filter-area buildup before you assume a pump problem.

15 to 30 minutestime required

Low-risk maintenancedifficulty

Homeowner or renterbest for

At a glance

Time and difficulty

15 to 30 minutes
Low-risk maintenance · Homeowner or renter

Fast answer

Quick answer

When a dishwasher is making a grinding noise, the safest first checks are hard debris in the filter area, a spray arm clipping a tall item, or food particles circulating near the sump. If the sound remains after cleaning the accessible wash area and correcting the load, the cause is more likely inside the pump or motor system and needs professional attention.

Noise timing

When the grinding sound happens matters

If the sound appears only during spray action, check for spray-arm interference, loose utensils, or debris moving around the filter well.
If the sound starts during drain-out, the issue may be closer to debris in the drain path or pump area.
If the noise runs through most of the cycle and keeps returning after cleaning, the odds of a pump or motor proble... [truncated]