LOUD OR UNUSUAL SOUNDS
Why is my washing machine so noisy? Match the sound, then check bolts, level and load.
IMMEDIATE ACTION
THE SHORT ANSWER
Many washer sounds are normal. Whirlpool lists pump gurgling, pulsing and humming, a brief thump at low spin speeds and motor direction changes; Samsung lists clicks at the start and end of a cycle. Loud banging, thumping or rattling is usually shipping bolts still in place, an unlevel washer, an unbalanced load or something loose against the cabinet.
Based on Whirlpool, Samsung and LG help pages, checked October 10, 2026.
Check these in order
- Check the shipping bolts (front-loaders). Whirlpool says all four bolts and the plastic spacers must be removed from the rear, or you get noise, vibration or error codes. LG: open the door and shake the drum; if it does not wobble, the bolts are still in. Samsung: push the drum; if it rotates freely and bounces slightly the bolts are out, but if it rotates without bouncing they are still in.
- Check that all four feet are firm and the washer is level. Whirlpool: rock the washer from the top, front to back and side to side, adjust the leveling feet, and tighten the jam nuts against the bottom of the cabinet. Check the floor for flexing, and do not install on a raised wooden platform.
- Rebalance the load. Whirlpool says an unbalanced load causes movement in the basket, and the bulky cycle is for oversized, nonabsorbent items such as comforters and pillows. LG says clumped laundry causes pounding or rattling in the spin, and that rugs, blankets and mats make the tub lopsided; keep the tub about two-thirds full.
- Look for loose items. Whirlpool: hoses can knock against the rear of the cabinet, so secure them with the beaded strap or a wire tie, and items leaning on the washer such as brooms and dryer racks can rattle at high spin. LG: coins or steel wire can get stuck in the drum. Samsung lists the power cord or drain hose rattling against the washer.
- Compare the sound with the table below. Several sounds are normal, and the table shows what each maker says to check for the rest.
Sound by sound
| Sound | What the maker says | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Banging or rattling | Hoses against the cabinet, items leaning on the washer, or shipping bolts (Whirlpool) | Strap or tie the hoses, clear the sides, remove all four bolts and spacers |
| Thumping | Brief thump at slow spin can be the bellows and normal (Whirlpool); steady beat with spin is normal with large or waterproof items such as bedsheets (Samsung) | Feet, level, balance, shipping bolts |
| Grinding or rubbing | Motor changing direction and gear sounds are normal on some drive systems (Whirlpool); a pump sound every cycle may mean a dirty filter (Samsung) | Do not overload; check a drain pan under the washer; clean the pump filter |
| Squealing or hooting while filling | Supply valve not fully open or a kinked hose (Whirlpool); a closed supply valve can cause loud humming or buzzing (Samsung) | Open both valves fully; straighten hoses |
| Gurgling, slurping, humming when draining | Normal: the pump removes the water, then pumps air; the drain part usually lasts 3 to 5 minutes (Whirlpool) | None unless the drum stays full |
| Pulsing | The pump may turn on and off with short pauses; part of normal operation (Whirlpool) | None |
| Whirling or whooshing in spin | The washer steps through higher spin speeds; unbalanced load adds movement (Whirlpool) | Rebalance, level |
| Clicks, pops, a honk at fill start | Normal: the water valve opening; a click then a short thump is the motor clutch switching modes (Samsung) | None |
Samsung says that if squealing or grinding continues after you reduce the load, you should request service, and that once a jet-like noise has started (it ties that noise to too much or non-HE detergent, or frequent overloading) service is required.
If it comes back
If the bolts are out, the washer is level, the load is balanced and the same noise returns on every cycle, contact service. Tell them:
- The brand, model number (where to find it) and when the sound began.
- Which stage makes the sound (filling, washing, draining, spinning) and what it sounds like.
- That you checked the shipping bolts, level, balance and loose items.
Private tools: prepare a Service Brief → or save a washer log →. Compare the cost of a repair with replacement in the repair-or-replace calculator.
OFFICIAL MANUFACTURER SOURCES
Where these steps come from.
Every number and step above comes from these manufacturer help pages. Where two brands disagree, the page says so and your own manual decides. Checked October 10, 2026.
Whirlpool: Banging Noise – Front Load Washer →
Whirlpool: Thumping Noise – Front Load Washer →
Whirlpool: Gurgling, Slurping or Humming Noise – Front Load Washer →