You’re probably standing in front of your washing machine right now. It just made a sound it has never made before. Was that a bang? A grind? A squeal? And now you’re wondering if it’s safe to keep running.
Take a breath. That noise is actually your best clue. In this guide, we cover the most common washing machine noises and how to fix each one. Let’s find your sound and get your machine quiet again.
Match Your Washing Machine Noise to the Problem
Find the sound that’s closest to yours, then jump to that section below.
| The sound you hear | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Banging, thumping, or “walking” across the floor | Unbalanced load, unlevel machine, or shipping bolts |
| Rattling or clinking, like something is loose | A coin, button, or bra wire stuck inside |
| Deep rumbling that keeps getting louder | Worn drum bearings |
| Squealing or screeching (maybe a burnt rubber smell) | Drive belt or pulley |
| Humming or grinding, but it won’t drain or spin | Clogged drain pump |
| Sloshing, soft whirring, or a light click | Normal, nothing is wrong |
First, Is It Safe to Keep Running?
Before you fix anything, find out if your washing machine is safe to use. Some noises are harmless and can wait. Others mean you should stop the machine right away. The quick checks below tell you which one you’re dealing with.
Shut it off now if you notice:
- A burning or hot rubber smell, or any smoke
- Loud grinding while the drum barely spins or won’t spin
- Water is leaking onto the floor
- A loud electrical buzzing
It’s fine to finish the load if:
- It’s a soft thump from a big item, like a comforter
- You hear normal humming, sloshing, or draining
Not sure? Just pause the cycle. This never hurts anything and saves you from a small repair becoming a big one.
5 Washing Machine Noises: What They Mean & How to Fix Them
1: It bangs and walks across the floor when it spins
This is the most common cause, and it happens when the load is unbalanced. Your machine rocks, thumps, or moves across the floor on the spin.
Heavy items like towels or sheets bunch up on one side. Then the drum can’t spin evenly. Pause the cycle and open the door. You will likely see everything piled in one spot.
The fix:
Spread the clothes out evenly. Mix big and small items together. Leave about a hand’s width of space at the top. Don’t pack it full. Is the machine brand new and banging hard? The shipping bolts on the back may still be in. Those must come out before you run it. Also, check that the machine sits level. Many older San Francisco homes have laundry floors that aren’t quite flat. Adjust the feet, or slide a rubber pad under the machine to steady it.
2: It rattles or clinks like something’s loose inside
That metal rattle comes and goes during the cycle. Almost always, it’s a small object that got loose. It could be a coin from a pocket. It could be a button.
Turn the machine off first. Then spin the drum by hand and listen. Check the rubber door seal and the pump filter, too.
The fix:
Take out whatever you find. That usually solves it. From now on, empty your pockets before each wash.
3: It Rumbles Like a Jet Engine, and It’s Getting Louder Over Time
If the spin cycle has turned into a deep, growing roar that sounds like a jet taking off, your drum bearings are likely worn out. That usually means your drum bearings are worn out. Bearings help the drum spin smoothly. Over the years, moisture wears them down. Our damp, foggy weather doesn’t help either.
The fix: Fixing the bearings means taking most of the machine apart. On many newer washers, the bearings are sealed into the tub. That means the whole tub has to be replaced. This takes real skill, the right tools, and experience. It is not a DIY job. Find an experienced, certified technician near you. Let someone who has done it many times handle it, with genuine parts.
All State Appliance Repair does this kind of repair often. We back the work with a full-year guarantee. Until then, stop using the machine. Running it on bad bearings can wreck the drum and tub.
4. It squeals or screeches, sometimes with a burning smell
A high squeal or screech usually points to the drive belt or pulley. These parts link the motor to the drum. As they wear out or come loose, they start to make noise. A faint burnt rubber smell, along with the sound, is a clear sign. The timing helps you narrow it down. A squeal right when the spin starts usually means the belt or pulley. A noise that runs through the whole cycle points more to the bearings.
The fix:
Getting to the belt and pulley means opening up the cabinet. The parts also have to be lined up and tightened just right, or the noise comes back. For most people, this one is best handed off. Smell burning? Stop and unplug the machine.
Find a washing machine repairer near you, since they can handle it more professionally and fit the right part for your model. All State’s technicians do these repairs all the time and stand behind the work.
5. It hums or grinds but won’t drain or spin
You hear a hum or a grind. The water just sits in the drum. It won’t spin out. The drain pump is the usual cause. Most of the time, something small is stuck in it. It could be a sock, a clump of lint, or a coin. Look for the pump filter. It’s usually behind a small panel near the bottom front. Check it for junk. Keep a towel and a low tray close by, because some water will spill out.
The fix: Clean out the filter and drain all the water, then put the filter back and run the machine to test it. Is the filter clean, but the pump still hums and won’t drain? Then the pump itself is likely failing. It will need to be replaced. That job is best left to a repairer near you who can fit the right part. Either way, don’t keep running cycles while it’s blocked.
When to Call a Professional
Some of these you can knock out yourself in a few minutes. Others aren’t worth the risk to your machine or your hands. Call a technician if:
- The noise is a deep grind or rumble (the bearings)
- You smell burning or suspect anything electrical
- The pump needs replacing, not just cleaning
- The noise keeps up after you’ve tried the simple checks above
Ignoring a serious noise almost always costs more down the line. If you’re in San Francisco or anywhere in the Bay Area, All State Appliance Repair can track down the cause and get your washer running quietly again, with experienced technicians, genuine parts, and a full year guarantee on every repair. Give us a call.
