Washing Machine Making Noise? What Each Sound Means and What to Check

A washing machine that is making noise is a symptom, not a diagnosis. LG and Samsung each publish their own washer-noise guide, and the checks below are taken from those pages: start with the load, the machine’s level, and loose objects, and treat anything that needs the cabinet opened or a part replaced as a technician’s job.

Verification: Checked on 2026-10-05 against LG’s “LG Washer – Troubleshooting Noises During the Cycle” and Samsung US Support’s “Samsung washing machine is too noisy.” LG states that spin-cycle noise can be caused by an unbalanced load, a foreign object in the tub, or a washer that is not level. Samsung groups its guidance by the sound you hear and lists several noises as normal. Sources are listed at the end of this page.

Scope: This page summarizes what LG and Samsung publish on their own washer-noise pages. Each manufacturer’s page is written for its own washers, and the guidance differs between front-load and top-load designs. Noise is subjective — match your sound to the closest description, then confirm part locations and steps in your own model’s manual.

Safety first: unplug the washer before inspecting it, and do not open the cabinet or a component housing unless your model’s manual documents the procedure. Work inside the machine or on its internal parts is a technician’s job. Informational only — if you are unsure, stop and call a licensed technician.

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Match the sound, then run the checks

Thumping or knocking — a steady beat during the spin

Samsung describes this as a steady pattern or beat that keeps time with the spinning. It says the noise is normal when certain large or waterproof items, such as bedsheets, are being washed. When it is not, Samsung’s checks are to confirm the load is balanced, make sure the washer is level, and — on front-load models — check that the shipping bolts are removed. One way Samsung suggests checking the bolts is to open the door and push against the drum: it should rotate freely and bounce slightly, “like it’s connected to springs.” If it only rotates without bouncing, the shipping bolts are not removed.

LG lists an unbalanced load as a cause of spin-cycle noise and notes that heavy items such as rugs, blankets, mats, and waterproof fabrics can make the tub lopsided during the spin.

Try: redistribute the load so it is spread evenly, then check that the machine is level. LG’s front-load washer guide gives this leveling step: push the washing machine forward, backward, and sideways to see if it shakes, and adjust the legs if you feel shaking.

Rattling or clicking

Samsung describes this as a “clatter,” like two things vibrating against each other, and notes that some clicking at the beginning or end of a cycle is normal. If it happens throughout the cycle, Samsung’s checks are to verify the washer is level, look for anything rattling against the washer (such as the power cord or drain hose), and check the tub for loose objects. A click followed by a short thump that fades is the clutch in the motor transitioning between modes (for example, between washing and spinning) — Samsung lists that as a normal sound that needs no service.

LG’s tub check applies here too. Its front-load guide says to remove the clothing and rotate the drum by hand to see if the noise continues; its top-load guide adds checking for a foreign object such as a coin or a steel wire, then removing it with a tool.

Squealing, squeaking, or grinding

Samsung describes this noise as metal objects rubbing against each other. Its instruction is to stop the cycle immediately and reduce the weight of the load, then run a test cycle with about four soaking-wet bath towels (or a load of similar weight). If the noise occurs during that test cycle, Samsung says to request service. Samsung also notes that this noise can be prevented by not overloading the washer.

A grating, grinding, or rattling that repeats every cycle

Samsung says this is the sound of the drain pump operating, and that it can occur intermittently. If it occurs every cycle, its step is to clean the pump filter. If the noise still occurs every cycle, Samsung directs you to request service.

Humming or buzzing

Samsung splits this into two cases:

• A loud humming, buzzing, or grinding noise, it says, occurs if the home’s water supply valve is not open and the washer is not getting water. Its fix is to connect the water line and open the supply valve.
• A quiet humming or buzzing is a normal sound of operation, and it is louder when air is mixed into the draining.

Samsung also describes a sudden sound at the start of filling that “sounds like a cork coming off a bottle” — the sound of the water valve opening, which it lists as normal. A noise Samsung describes as “like a jet preparing for takeoff” is one it says requires service; it notes possible causes such as excessive detergent (or non-HE detergent) or frequent overloading, but says service is required once the noise occurs.

LG’s noise checks, in order

LG’s page walks through front-load and top-load paths. For a front-load washer it lists these steps: make sure the shipping bolts are removed (open the door and try to shake the drum — if there is no wobble, remove the rear shipping bolts); keep the load at about two-thirds of the tub’s capacity so the laundry can move freely; press Pause and rearrange the laundry if it is stuck to one side; check the drum for foreign objects and rotate it by hand; and check that the machine is balanced. Its guide ends by saying that if the noise continues, the washer will require repair service.

When to call a technician

• The noise continues after the checks above — LG says the washer will require repair service, and Samsung directs you to its Support Center for the sounds it flags.
• A step needs the cabinet or a component housing opened, or an internal part tested or replaced.
• You are not sure about a step, or you are not comfortable doing it.

Model variation

Front-load and top-load washers differ, and sound descriptions and part layouts differ by brand and model. LG’s page covers front-load and top-load washers separately; Samsung maps each sound to its own checks. Confirm the steps and part locations in your own model’s manual.

FAQ

Q: My washer thumps during the spin — what should I check first? A: Samsung says a thump can be normal for large or waterproof items such as bedsheets. If it is not, its checks are the load balance, the machine’s level, and (on front-load models) that the shipping bolts are removed. LG lists an unbalanced load and a washer that is not level as causes of spin-cycle noise.

Q: My washer squeals or grinds — is it serious? A: Samsung describes squealing, squeaking, and grinding as metal-on-metal noise. Its step is to stop the cycle and reduce the load, then test with about four soaking-wet bath towels; if the noise occurs during that test cycle, it says to request service. LG’s causes for spin-cycle noise are an unbalanced load, a foreign object in the tub, and the washer not being level.

Q: My washer makes a grating sound every cycle — what is it? A: Samsung says that sound can be the drain pump operating. Its step is to clean the pump filter; if the sound still occurs every cycle, it directs you to request service.

Q: My washer clicks — is something broken? A: Not necessarily. Samsung says some clicking at the start or end of a cycle is normal, and that a click followed by a short thump is the motor’s clutch shifting modes, which it calls normal. If clicking happens throughout the cycle, its checks are the machine’s level, anything rattling against the washer, and loose objects in the tub.

Related guides

• Washer Won’t Spin? What to Check First
• Washer Won’t Drain? Causes and Checks