More causes of a noisy washing machine
It covers additional and less common noise sources. For the most common causes, read Part 1 first: washing machine is noisy (Part 1).
This guide covers further causes of washing machine noise, including motor bearings, drum weights, drum pulley, heating element contact, bra wire, drive belt wear, and carbon brushes.
Squealing Noise on Spin
A high-pitched squeal or harsh noise during the spin cycle can indicate worn motor bearings. This can occur if the bearing grease has worn away or been displaced by water ingress from a leak – both relatively uncommon. To check, remove the drive belt and run the motor alone. If the squeal is still present with the belt off, the motor is the likely source. Make sure the pump is not the cause, as it runs at the same time.
Motors on modern washing machines are generally replaced as complete units rather than repaired. Buy a washing machine motor at Spares4Appliances.
Knocking Noise on Spin
A knocking sound during spin is often caused by a loose drum (tub) weight or a loose motor. The knocking occurs when the drum shakes during spin – with no laundry inside, the drum barely moves, so the noise is typically absent at idle and much louder with heavy, unbalanced loads such as towels or sheets.
Checking the Drum Weights
Most washing machines have at least two drum weights: one on top of the outer drum and one near the front, around the door seal area, or at the bottom. To check, disconnect the machine from the mains and manually rock the drum – any knocking that can be located to a specific weight suggests it has come loose. Grey concrete dust visible under the machine is another indicator of a crumbling drum weight.
Most outer drums are plastic, and over-tightening can shear the fixing bracket, requiring a new drum. If the weight has already been loose for some time, the plastic mounting point may already be damaged. If tightening resolves the rattle, monitor for it recurring. If it does, try new locking nuts or a small amount of thread-lock compound – but never over-tighten.
If the fixing bracket has broken away from the drum entirely, a repair is generally not possible without fitting a new outer drum. Buy a drum weight at Spares4Appliances.
Tapping Noise on Spin – Drum Pulley
A worn or loose drum pulley can produce surprisingly deceptive tapping and knocking sounds that do not sound like a pulley fault at all. If a tapping noise on spin cannot be located to the drum weights or motor, the drum pulley is worth investigating. See the dedicated guide with video examples: rattling, tapping and grinding noise on spin.
Tapping Noise on Spin – Heating Element or Other Contact
A constant tapping that is worst with heavier loads, and possibly absent with very light loads, can indicate the drum is catching on something during spin. The most likely candidate, particularly if the heating element has recently been removed and refitted, is the element not being correctly located inside its bracket at the base of the outer drum. If not seated properly, the spinning drum can strike the element on heavy loads.
On older machines with metal outer drums – particularly older Hoover models – this bracket was poorly designed and the element could easily be fitted without locating in place. The metal bracket also used to rust and drop off over time. On most modern machines with plastic outer drums, the bracket is moulded into the drum itself, making incorrect fitting much less likely.
A broken drum spider arm can also cause the drum to move further than normal on spin, bringing it into contact with the heating element. See the section on drum spider damage in the main guide: washing machine is noisy – Part 1.
Other tapping causes to check: a faulty or loose foot at the base of the machine; something loose in the chassis; hoses vibrating against the casing at high spin speeds. If holding the machine firmly while it taps stops or changes the sound, the cause is external movement rather than an internal component. Always make sure the machine is properly levelled.
Metallic Scraping When the Drum Turns
A light metallic scraping sound that occurs once per revolution – usually reproducible by turning the drum by hand – is typically caused by an underwire from a bra that has escaped between the inner and outer drums. See the guide: how to remove something stuck in the washing machine drum.
Noisy Drive Belt
A badly worn drive belt can produce a surprising range of sounds – including deep rumbling very similar to drum bearing failure. In some cases a degraded belt, where the rubber has begun to break down and the individual tracks on the belt surface have become coated in melted rubber, has been found to be the sole cause of a noise initially suspected to be bearing failure. Removing the belt and spinning the drum by hand resolves the uncertainty – if the noise disappears without the belt, the belt is the source.
Crackling or Grating When the Motor Runs
A crackling, grating, or sparking noise when the motor is running – not reproducible by turning the drum by hand – is characteristic of worn carbon brushes inside the motor. The motor may also run unevenly, faltering or stuttering in speed. See the full guide: how to spot worn carbon brushes.
Related guides
Over the years, even experienced appliance engineers have been seriously injured or killed. Always disconnect from the mains before accessing internal components.
DIY repair safety tips – 8 things you should never do when repairing a washing machine
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes a knocking noise on the spin cycle?
The most common causes are a loose drum weight or a loose motor. Both produce a knocking sound when the drum shakes on spin, which is loudest with heavy unbalanced loads like towels and sheets. Disconnect the machine, then rock the drum by hand to try to locate any loose weight by sound. Also check for grey concrete dust under the machine, which indicates a crumbling drum weight.
What causes a high-pitched squeal on spin?
A high-pitched squeal is often motor bearings, caused by loss of bearing grease or water contamination from a leak. Remove the drive belt and run the motor alone – if the squeal persists without the belt, the motor is the likely source. Make sure the pump is not the source, as it runs simultaneously.
Could a drive belt really cause a noise that sounds like drum bearing failure?
Yes. A severely degraded belt – where the rubber has begun to break down and the belt surface has become coated in melted rubber – can produce a deep rumbling sound very similar to worn drum bearings. Remove the belt and spin the drum by hand: if the noise disappears, the belt is the source, not the bearings.
What causes a light scraping sound once per revolution?
A metallic scraping sound that occurs once per drum revolution – and can often be reproduced by turning the drum by hand – is typically an underwire from a bra trapped between the inner and outer drums. See: how to remove something stuck in the washing machine drum.
What causes a crackling or grating noise when the motor runs?
Crackling, grating, or sparking sounds when the motor runs – not present when turning the drum by hand – are characteristic of worn carbon brushes inside the motor. The motor may also run unevenly. See: how to spot worn carbon brushes.
10 Comments
Grouped into 8 comment threads.
1 reply Something could be stuck in the drum. Take the belt off and see if the noise still happens when you turn the drum by hand. If it could be an underwire from a bra check this article how to remove something stuck in washing machine.
1 reply Hi! Is there a way I can send you a recording to get your ideas on what's going on with my washing machine? Long story but one year 4 washing machines and they have all done the same! I am at my wits end. :-( Emma
Hi! Is there a way I can send you a recording to get your ideas on what’s going on with my washing machine? Long story but one year 4 washing machines and they have all done the same! I am at my wits end. :-( Emma
0 replies For noises only on rinse and spin check the pump for obstructions.
For noises only on rinse and spin check the pump for obstructions.
0 replies My washing machine is making a loud screaming noise during the rinse and spin cycle and then something smells like its burning coming from the back of the washing machine, then it stops and doesn't finish its job. Could you tell me what this could possibly be and what I need to do to fix it? Thank you.
My washing machine is making a loud screaming noise during the rinse and spin cycle and then something smells like its burning coming from the back of the washing machine, then it stops and doesn’t finish its job. Could you tell me what this could possibly be and what I need to do to fix it? Thank you.
0 replies There could be a recirculation pump with something wrong with it or stuck inside. Someone needs to locate where the noise is coming from and investigate by taking to top and back off.
There could be a recirculation pump with something wrong with it or stuck inside. Someone needs to locate where the noise is coming from and investigate by taking to top and back off.
0 replies My washer is making like a metal fan clinking ticking during the spin cycle...I was washing a load and it shut off mid cycle then after an hour or two it came back on and started the whole clinking while spinning...can you please help...thanks
My washer is making like a metal fan clinking ticking during the spin cycle…I was washing a load and it shut off mid cycle then after an hour or two it came back on and started the whole clinking while spinning…can you please help…thanks
0 replies A crackling sound is commonly caused by the motor sparking excessively. A burning smell would also tie in with that possibility.
A crackling sound is commonly caused by the motor sparking excessively. A burning smell would also tie in with that possibility.
0 replies Hi what could be wrong if my washing machine makes a crackling sound on spin like its full of gravel and there's a burning smell coming from the back after the cycle has ended?
Hi what could be wrong if my washing machine makes a crackling sound on spin like its full of gravel and there’s a burning smell coming from the back after the cycle has ended?
Something could be stuck in the drum. Take the belt off and see if the noise still happens when you turn the drum by hand. If it could be an underwire from a bra check this article how to remove something stuck in washing machine.
When I turn the drum it doesn’t make the noise it sounds like it is coming from inside the front of the washer in the lower right corner it sounds like a metal fan turning and hitting another piece of metal it has not been moved or messed with…