Why is my dishwasher making a clunking noise? (3 Key Reasons Why)

Originally Created on: April 17, 2022 @ 11:02 am

Why is my dishwasher making a clunking noise? If your dishwasher is making a clunking noise, you’re not alone. This is a common problem that many people experience. There are several potential causes of this issue, and in this article, we will discuss some of them. We will also provide some tips on how to fix the problem.

A dishwasher can be noisy, which is something annoying. Although it takes quite good research to find a dishwasher that is entirely quiet, too much noise means there is something wrong.

There are different kinds of noises that these machines make and if you are familiar with them or rather you know the differences, then it saves you time worrying whether the noise is the sound of a problem or is it an obvious noise. So if your dishwasher is making a clunking noise, keep reading!

Let’s get straight to it.

Why is my dishwasher making a clunking noise?

Dishwasher will make a clunking noise for a number of reason. This may include, something caught in the pump, a damaged pump or that the water inlet valve maybe partially close. If you have a garbage disposal unit installed, then the clunking noise could be as a result of something caught in the garbage disposal unit.

Let’s now dive deeper into each of the causes below.

1. Clunking Noise From Dishwasher Pump

The dishwasher pump is located under the dishwasher and is responsible for circulating water during the wash cycle. If your dishwasher is making a clunking noise, it could be due to a problem with the pump.

First, check the pump for any debris that might be causing the noise. If you find debris, remove it and see if the noise goes away. If the pump is damaged, it will need to be replaced. You can purchase a new pump from amazon or most major appliance stores.

Make sure to seek professional help from a qualified plumbing team to help with any of the fixing to ensure you are not causing any further damage to your dishwasher.

2. Partially closed Water inlet Valve

The water inlet valve is located on the back of the dishwasher and is responsible for supplying water to the dishwasher during the wash cycle. If your dishwasher is making a clunking noise, it could be due to a problem with the water inlet valve.

First, check the valve for any debris that might be causing the noise. If you find debris, remove it and see if the noise goes away. If the valve is damaged again you will have to replace it.

The most common cause would be built up debris that led to the water inlet valve to be partially closed leading to the clunking noise coming from your dishwasher.

3. Clogged Garbage Disposal Unit

If you have a garbage disposal unit in place, the clunking noise could be coming from a clogged garbage disposal unit. There could be some debris or garbage caught up in your disposal unit.

Clearing the clogged area will definitely clear the clunking noise. If the noise still persists, the noise could be as a result of the other two reasons mentioned above.

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Dishwasher Banging Noise

If your dishwasher is making a banging noise, it’s likely due to an issue with the water supply. Check to make sure that the water supply line is securely connected to the dishwasher. If it is, then the problem may be with the dishwasher itself.

Additionally, the banging noise may be due to sediment build-up in the pump. Cleaning the pump may solve the problem. This banging noise can also be caused by objects in the dishwasher, such as glasses or dishes, hitting each other during the wash cycle.

If this is the case, simply rearrange the items in the dishwasher so that they don’t hit each other.

Finally, the noise could be coming from the pipes under the sink. The dishwasher is connected by a number of pipes and considering most people have their dishwasher below their kitchen sink, the banging noise could be as a result of pipes knocking against each other when the dishwasher is running.

If this is the case, you’ll need to call a plumber to fix the issue. The plumber should look at the current plumbing situation and fix it accordingly.

Dishwasher Knocking Noise

A dishwasher making knocking noise could be as a result of a number of reasons such as; the noise coming from the drain hose as water rushes through the hose or the hose hitting against something under the sink. The sound could also be coming from a loose detergent dispenser or worn-out mounting pad.

You should keenly identify the root cause of the knocking noise to better help you identify the right cause of action to take.

When it comes to the three mentioned reasons; let’s take a look at the appropriate action you should take to fix the knocking noise.

a) Drain Hose Knock

The drain hose is a large, flexible tube that carries water from the dishwasher to the drain. The knock could be coming from the hose hitting against something under your sink. As the water rushes through the hose, it could also be making a knocking noise.

To fix this, you can try moving the hose so that it doesn’t hit anything. If the drain hose is not the issue, then it could be coming from the detergent dispenser.

b) Loose Detergent Dispenser

The detergent dispenser is located on the inside of the dishwasher door. It releases detergent into the dishwasher during the wash cycle. If the detergent dispenser is loose, it could be making a knocking noise.

To fix this, you can try tightening the screws that hold the dispenser in place. If the screws are tight and the dispenser is still loose, you may need to replace the dispenser.

c) Worn-Out Mounting Pads

If your dishwasher is making a loud noise, it could be due to worn-out mounting pads. These rubber or cork mats act as a buffer between the dishwasher and the countertop or floor, absorbing vibrations. Over time, they can become hard and brittle, causing the dishwasher to make noise when it runs.

To fix this, you’ll need to replace the mounting pads. This is relatively easy to repair and can be done in just a few minutes.

Conclusion

The noise your dishwasher is making is most likely due to a problem with the pump. The pump is responsible for moving water through the dishwasher, and if it isn’t working properly, it can cause a clunking noise. A clogged garbage disposal unit and a partially closed water inlet valve are also possible reasons why your dish washer is producing some clunking noise.

Other than clunking sound, your dishwasher may also produce a banging and a knocking sound. If you are keen enough, you should be able to easily identify the root cause of the noise and find the right fix to it.

To fix any of these noise, we recommend calling a qualified technician to come and take a look at the problem. Any attempt to fix it yourself may lead to an even major damage to the affected area.