How to Fix a Dishwasher Making a Grinding Noise

That awful grinding sound coming from your dishwasher isn’t something you can ignore—it’s disrupting your kitchen peace and probably making you wonder if your appliance is about to give up completely. While grinding noises sound scary, they’re usually caused by something simple that got where it shouldn’t be.

Here’s how to find the source and get your dishwasher running quietly again.

What’s Actually Making That Noise?

Before diving into fixes, understand that grinding sounds typically come from three places: something’s stuck in the filter or pump, parts are rubbing together when they shouldn’t, or debris is interfering with moving components. The location and timing of the noise gives you clues about what’s wrong.

Pay attention to when the grinding happens during your wash cycle. If it’s right at the start, you’re probably dealing with debris in the filter or pump. Grinding that occurs during the wash cycle often points to circulation problems or damaged wash arms. Constant grinding throughout the entire cycle usually means motor mount issues or serious pump problems.

Also notice if the grinding gets worse over time—gradual worsening typically indicates wear in moving parts, while sudden loud grinding often means something just got stuck where it shouldn’t be.

Start with the Filter (This Fixes Most Problems)

Nine times out of ten, your grinding noise comes from junk caught in the dishwasher filter. Food particles, broken glass, or random small objects get trapped and create that awful sound when water tries to circulate around them.

Pull out your bottom dish rack and find the cylindrical filter at the bottom of your dishwasher—it’s usually right in the center. Turn it counterclockwise to remove it, then rinse it thoroughly under hot water. Use a soft brush to scrub away stubborn debris from the mesh.

Don’t just give it a quick rinse—really inspect this filter. You’d be amazed what people find in there: pieces of labels from jars, small bones, bits of broken dishware, even jewelry that fell off while loading dishes. Sometimes the culprit is something as simple as a piece of eggshell or a popcorn kernel that’s been grinding away for weeks.

While you’re at it, check the filter housing for anything else that might be hiding in there. Reinstall the clean filter by turning it clockwise until it’s secure, then run a test cycle.

Check the Pump Area for Stowaways

If cleaning the filter doesn’t solve it, something might be stuck in the wash pump itself. Small items like toothpicks, bones, or pieces of broken dishes love to find their way in there.

Safety first: Turn off power to your dishwasher at the circuit breaker before doing this.

Remove the bottom rack and filter, then look into the pump housing with a flashlight. Use needle-nose pliers or tweezers to carefully remove any visible objects—never use your fingers since there might be sharp debris lurking in there.

Give Your Wash Arms Some Attention

Those spinning arms that spray water around your dishes can get clogged or develop worn bearings that cause grinding noises. Remove your dish racks to access both the upper and lower wash arms.

Most wash arms either twist off or simply lift out. Once you’ve got them out, rinse them under hot water and use a toothpick to clear any blocked holes. Check that they spin freely when you reinstall them—if they’re binding or wobbling, that could be your noise source.

Look for Loose Motor Mounts

Your dishwasher’s motor sits on rubber mounts that can wear out over time. When these fail, the motor vibrates against the dishwasher frame and creates grinding sounds.

You might need to remove the front bottom panel to access the motor area. Look for loose mounting brackets or cracked rubber mounts. Tighten any loose hardware you can reach, but if the mounts themselves are damaged, you might need professional help.

Don’t Forget About Your Garbage Disposal

If your dishwasher drains through a garbage disposal, the grinding might actually be coming from there, not your dishwasher. Run your disposal independently to see if it makes the same noise.

Make sure the disposal is clear of debris and that the dishwasher connection is secure. Also verify that the knockout plug was removed when your dishwasher was originally installed—if it wasn’t, that could cause drainage issues and strange noises.

When the Motor Itself Is the Problem

If you’ve checked everything else and the grinding persists, your wash pump motor might be wearing out. Listen carefully to figure out when the grinding happens—is it constant or only during certain parts of the cycle?

Motor problems usually require professional diagnosis and repair, especially if bearings are failing or there’s internal damage.

Quick Dishware Check

Sometimes the simplest explanation is the right one—damaged dish racks, broken dishes, or metal items rattling around can create grinding sounds too.

Inspect your dish racks for broken parts and make sure dishes are loaded properly so they can’t shift during the wash cycle. Try running an empty cycle to see if the noise disappears without dishes in there.

Know When to Call for Help

Most grinding noises come from debris that you can clear yourself, but don’t hesitate to call a repair technician if you suspect motor problems or can’t safely access the areas that need checking.

The goal is getting your dishwasher back to its quiet, efficient self without turning a simple fix into a bigger problem. Start with the easy stuff—clean that filter—and work your way through the possibilities until the grinding stops.