We would like our Smeg dishwashers to work well every time we use them. At times, however, they may make a loud noise. This is how to fix it.
If the Smeg dishwasher is making a loud buzzing noise, it could be the diverter paddle. This part is associated with the motor and gears.
Limescale from water in your local area could cause the paddle to get stiff and begin making noise. It won’t necessarily affect the operation of the dishwasher at first but it should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
Troubleshooting a Loud Smeg Dishwasher
One of the more frustrating things we may face when we have a dishwasher is for it to break down. We depend on our dishwashers, so if it is making a loud noise, what can be done to correct the problem?
A bad pump and motor assembly can cause a dishwasher to make a loud sound. It usually starts as more of a squealing or buzzing sound and can progress from there. If the dishwasher isn’t cleaning, inspect the wash pump. If water is left behind, check the drain pump.
Although the pumps are the more common reasons why a dishwasher may make loud noises, they certainly aren’t the only reasons. It’s a good place to start, but there may be other problems that need to be addressed.
There are several different ways to address the potential problem you are facing. The first is to go down through a list of possible problems that are likely to happen with the dishwasher.
These are not specific to any particular brand but rather, these problems are issues that you will likely face with any dishwasher. They are also relatively simple to fix, making the list easy to follow.
Another possible solution is to look at specific problems that may occur with the brand of dishwasher you are using. Some of these are more likely to happen in that particular brand, which is why they make the list.
Although this is one possible solution, it is not likely the first place you will want to check. Why is that the case?
Although the solutions may be specific to the brand you are using, there are going to be differences from one model to another. Even the default error messages and the number of different beeps will differ from one model to another, even in the same brand.
I always start with the simple solutions first and work my way up to harder solutions. It may take a few minutes, but you can often get through the simple list relatively quickly.
Before you begin to try any of these issues, it is best to unload the dishwasher and remove anything that could be causing a problem. This would include any visible debris that may be blocking the arms or the seal on the door.
If there are large food particles in the bottom or elsewhere within the dishwasher, they should be removed. You should feel under the washer arm to ensure there are not any other items, such as silverware that has fallen and gotten trapped in the area.
Be very careful when reaching under the washer arm because you will have your fingers where you can’t see them. If there is broken glass or a sharp knife stuck in the area, you could get seriously cut. Wear gloves and move cautiously.
After ensuring the dishwasher is clean to a relative degree, you can move on to trying the list and seeing what is causing the dishwasher to make the loud noise.
Check these 10 different things that will help you to diagnose and fix the dishwasher when it is making a loud noise:
1. Interior Inspection: an interior inspection would include visually looking for any issues that may exist within the dishwasher. Look carefully at the entire interior, checking the arms to ensure that they spin properly and looking at the seal to make sure it isn’t cracked or broken.
Even a small issue with the interior could cause big problems when it comes to noises. This is an important part of the diagnosis and it is likely to take longer than most others, because you want to be thorough.
Simply fix any problems that you see and then run the dishwasher on an empty load. If you don’t hear the noise, you were successful.
2. Spray Arms: One of the issues that can cause loud noises within the dishwasher is for a spray arm to get clogged or damaged. This will likely cause a noisy operation as it is not spinning freely.
The spray arms can easily be removed from the dishwasher and you can take them apart to clean the interior. Examine them thoroughly to ensure that big problems don’t exist.
3. Loose Components: look for any loose components on the interior of the dishwasher that may be leading to the noise. There are many different components that can be checked.
Begin by inspecting the dishwasher racks for any issues. Then move to the cutlery basket or any parts that move. If screws and bolts are loose, they should be tightened.
4. Water Inlet Valve: The water inlet valves allow the water to come into the dishwasher and if it is clogged or malfunctioning, it can lead to loud noises during operation.
Look at the valve carefully for any debris that may be blocking its operation. You can clean the valve or even replace it if necessary to eliminate the noise you are experiencing.
5. Pump and Motor: The pump and motor assembly is a common problem where noise will be generated. The pump and motor can be inspected for wear or damage.
If there are any loose belts, replace them. Make sure everything is installed properly and aligned.
6. Drain Pump: Along with the general pump, you will want to check the drain pump. This is the pump that pulls water out of the dishwasher, pushes it through the hose and eventually, into your garbage disposal.
If the drain pump is malfunctioning, it can cause loud noises, especially a grinding or squealing noise.
The drain pump can’t be repaired but it can be replaced.
7. Mounting and Leveling: Ensure that the dishwasher is leveled properly and securely attached to the countertop or cabinet. If necessary, you can adjust the leveling by using the feet, which will screw in or out.
8. Door Seal: When the door seal is damaged, excessive noise may occur during operation. This isn’t always because of additional noise but it could be that you are just hearing the noise more easily because of the damaged seal.
If you have a door seal that is cracked or torn or if it shows signs that it is deteriorating, replace it.
9. Extra Insulation: A problem with a noisy dishwasher is not always an issue that needs repaired. Sometimes, you just need to mask the noise and this can be done with additional cabinet insulation.
You can purchase a sound dampening pad or foam to wrap around the top and sides of the dishwasher. It will have to be thin enough that it does not impact the installation.
After inserting the insulated dishwasher into the cabinet, the noise should be greatly reduced.
These are just some of the possible problems that could lead to a dishwasher making loud noises. There may be other noises that are specific to the manufacturer, which we will discuss below.
Before you begin working on your dishwasher, it is important to have a safety check. Working safely is important, and you should never underestimate the benefit when working on appliances.
First and foremost, you should always disconnect the dishwasher from the power source before doing any work. This is easily done by turning off the circuit breaker.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on August 31, 2023.
Make sure you protect the breaker box in some way or another to keep anyone from turning on the circuit breaker inadvertently while you are working. Believe me, this has happened many times during my years of appliance repair.
Wearing the proper PPE can also protect your body parts. This would include safety glasses and the appropriate gloves for the job.
We mentioned it before, but it is important not to put your hands where you can’t see them. I had an uncle that lost both of his arms when he was working on an electrical transformer because of a moment of indiscretion.
It was a lesson to me that you should always work safely, and I am passing that lesson along to you. It only takes a moment for disaster to strike, but you could be dealing with the consequences for a lifetime.
Before we get to the different dishwasher models, we will discuss the different types of noises you may hear from the dishwasher. Sometimes you can tell what type of problem you are experiencing by the noise it is making.
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1. Beeping: A beeping sound is usually alerting you to the possibility that something needs to be adjusted. Look for a fault message and check the owner’s manual for more information.
2. Rattling and Knocking: These problems are usually caused by the spray arm hitting something in the dishwasher. It is often due to the dishwasher being overloaded or incorrectly loaded.
3. Buzzing or Grinding: It isn’t unusual to hear this type of noise from the dishwasher. It sometimes happens when the water is being forced out of the dishwasher to the drain. If the noise increases, the pump impeller may be to blame.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on August 31, 2023.