The washing machine hums, makes noise, whistles during the spin cycle: causes of malfunction

Even in good condition, an automatic washing machine makes some noise and whistling, especially during intensive use, and this is completely normal. But there are times when the washing machine hums and rattles so much that it becomes annoying. In this situation, there may be a serious malfunction. In any case, this is a reason to think seriously and start looking for the cause of the unpleasant sound. We will talk about the causes of these sounds made by a washing machine, as well as ways to eliminate them, in this article.

The most common causes of extraneous noise

There is nothing particularly complicated in the design of a washing machine. Therefore, there are not so many places where a malfunction can nest. It all depends on at what stage of washing the unusual noise and rattling occurs. The reasons why a loud noise is heard may be as follows:

The bearing installed in the drum drive has become unusable.
The mounting bolts holding the tank in place during transportation were not removed.
The drive pulley is loose.
The counterweights holding the drum are loose or crumbled.
Some small objects got between the drum and the wall of the tank and got stuck there.
The drain pump is broken.
The rubber seal located on the hatch cover has crumbled or does not fit properly.
The washing machine is not installed level.

See also -
Why does powder remain in the washing machine tray after washing?

Bearings are damaged

This is a fairly complex breakdown that will require some skill to fix. But it’s not difficult to find it. You need to disconnect the washing machine from the network and spin the drum, pressing lightly on it. First twist clockwise, then counterclockwise. If the movement is intermittent, you hear a whistle, knocking and grinding noise - you can rest assured that the problem is in the bearings.

There is another way to detect the problem. The fact is that a leaky seal leads to bearing damage. When it is damaged, water gets in further and the bearing rusts and crumbles. You can see this by unscrewing the back panel. With such a malfunction, rusty streaks usually appear in the middle part of the tank.

If the cause is found, it must be corrected as quickly as possible.
Operating a washing machine with crushed bearings ends in damage to the bushing and shaft on which the drum sits. All this only aggravates the problem and increases the cost of repairs. See also:
A bra wire got into the washing machine

Transport bolts

For more careful transportation, special fastening bolts are provided in the washing machine body. They fix the shock-absorbing springs and prevent the tank from dangling from side to side. If the fasteners are not removed after installing the unit, the drum will rotate with a loud knock. What to do?

The problem can be solved very simply. You just need to unscrew the mounting bolts. The noise will stop. They are located in the back wall of the machine. By the way, this is written in great detail in each installation and operating instructions.

Why does the washing machine squeak?

Has your washing machine started squeaking? A sound that is heard as a squeak or something similar to a whistle may appear without any clear reason. That is, the machine worked and worked. All was good. And suddenly it creaked. That happens. There are also other reasons. For example, it may begin to make such sounds after the bearings have been changed. Or if the machine has worked for many years.

Such problems can occur both in all washing modes and in individual parts of the cycle. For example, during spinning, rinsing, main wash.

What could be causing the squeaking?

Let's look at all the reasons:

Firstly, it may appear if the tank comes into contact with the side parts of the machine body. Such contact during washing can cause such sounds.
Secondly, small items may get caught under the drum during the washing process. In this case, the creaking occurs from the friction of the item against the tank and drum of the machine.
Thirdly, there are cases when wool, hairs and other particles of the washable material remain on the cuff of the hatch.
Fourthly, there is a possibility that the drive belt has become loose. And the sound you hear may be caused by this belt slipping.
Fifthly, the shaft fastening could weaken.
Sixth, this sound can occur at the fixation points of the springs that hold the tank.
And finally, seventhly, these unpleasant sounds can be created by the rubbing butt parts of the machine body.

Washing machine repair

Before starting any repairs, you must unplug the equipment from the outlet. So that we don't get electrocuted in the process. It is also necessary to stop the water supply by turning off the tap.

Retaining springs

Springs that fix the position of the tank can also cause a similar problem. Or rather, the creaking itself will create traction. They may rub against the mounting sockets during washing. How do you know if this is the main cause of the unpleasant sound? In order to check this option, you need to remove the upper part of the washing machine body. And during operation (just when it creaks), press on the seat. If the creaking disappears while pressing, then we have identified a malfunction. In order to remove it, it is necessary to lubricate the contact points between the spring rods and the mounting sockets.

You can use regular machine oil as a lubricant.

Stretched belt

When using the machine for a long time, the drive belt may stretch or wear out. With such a malfunction, the belt can spin, creating such an unpleasant sound in the process. In order to correct the situation, it is necessary to change the belt tension. That is, increase it. Or replace the worn belt with a new one. Below you can watch a video on replacing the belt:

Things got caught between the tank and the drum

As already mentioned above, small items can get caught under the drum of the washing machine when washing. Such things, being pressed between the tub and the drum, can make unpleasant sounds during washing. In order to remove foreign objects from this place, it is necessary to remove the heating element. He's TEN. And through the hole where this element was previously located, we take out and remove the thing.

Shaft

If the machine is used for a long time, the drum shaft may become loose. As a result, backlash occurs. And the shaft begins to creak when it comes into contact with the internal parts. In this case, we can easily fix the damage by tightening the fixing elements.

Contact of the washing machine tank with the walls

If during operation of your machine the tank comes into contact with the walls of the housing, this can also cause squeaking. In order to make sure that this is the problem, you need to check the fixation of the tank, springs and shock absorbers. If you notice any malfunction, fix it.

Cleaning the cuff

In some cases, small particles of laundry may fall onto the cuff of the washing machine door and remain there. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly check the cleanliness of the cuff and remove any such deposits. When cleaning, pay attention to the gaps. If the cuff is contaminated in this way, noise may occur from the contact of the debris and the rotating drum.

Frame

The washing machine body consists of several parts. They are usually connected using screws or other fastening elements. With prolonged use or poor-quality connections, friction may occur between individual parts of the housing. And friction, in turn, can cause squeaking. As you may have guessed, in order to solve this problem you just need to fix the parts of the body more tightly. That is, tighten the screws. In some cases, fasteners will also need to be replaced.

We hope that these instructions will help you with your repair!

Source: https://mashmaster.ru/pochemu-stiralnaya-mashina-skripit-chinim-sami/

The pulley is loose

When the washing machine hums, makes noise and clicks loudly when the drum rotates, the problem may be that the drive pulley is weakening.
This is easy to check. Turn on the machine in test mode. If this is not the case, a hand wash mode or any other mode in which the drum rotates slowly will do. Listen carefully to the sound while looking at the drum. If every time you turn it you hear an extraneous noise, or rather a clicking sound, the pulley is most likely to blame. It's easy to fix the situation. Remove the back panel and locate the mounting nut that holds the pulley in position. Using a wrench of the appropriate size, eliminate the play by tightening the nut until it stops. If the noise during rotation disappears, then you did everything right. If not, we continue searching.

Eliminating the causes of noise during operation

Depending on what factors led to the hum, whistle and other sounds during the spin cycle, certain actions should be taken. In addition to the reasons that are characteristic of all ACM models, there are those that depend on the design features of individual brands of machines: LG, Ariston, Electrolux and other brands.

Transport bolts

One of the most common situations that can lead to serious damage to the machine. Often, craftsmen installing a new SM, in a hurry, forget to remove the bolts designed to secure the drum during transportation.

If the washing machine makes strange sounds when spinning during the first wash, knocking and other specific sounds are heard, you should immediately check whether the bolts have been removed from the body.

Foreign object in tank

Very often, when loading laundry into the drum, owners do not check the contents of their pockets. And there may be coins, pins and other small objects that can fall from the drum into the tank.

When the drum shakes and rotates at low speed during washing, small objects do not make themselves felt. As soon as the spin cycle begins and the vibration increases, objects begin to move, falling into the gap between the tank and the drum. As a result, the washing machine rattles during the spin cycle, whistles, hisses and rumbles.

You can solve this problem yourself. To remove a foreign object, turn off the power to the AFM, remove the back cover and release the heating element by removing the fasteners. Its most common location is under the tank, near the electric motor. After this, carefully remove the foreign object from the resulting niche using your fingers or a handy tool, for example, long pliers or a medical clamp.

This video describes how to remove foreign objects from the tank:

Bearings are worn out

In most cases, the drum rotates inside the washing machine tub on two bearings. These parts are subject to wear, especially due to vibration caused by the large amount of laundry in the drum. Another reason for their destruction is the ingress of water and detergents through a leaky oil seal.

If the washing machine hums during the spin cycle, it is worth checking the condition of the drum ball bearings. To do this, you need to turn off the power to the SM, open the hatch, put your hand into the drum and turn it in one direction, and then in the other. If the bearings are in good condition, a slight rustling noise will be heard when rotating. A cracking, knocking or slight hum will indicate damage to parts.

Replacing bearings and oil seals is a difficult and troublesome task. We'll have to disassemble the AFM completely. If the tank is plastic and cannot be disassembled, you will need to completely replace the expensive unit. True, there are craftsmen who cut the tank and replace parts themselves. Then the tank is glued together and the SM is successfully used further. But if you do not have the experience and necessary skills in handling tools, it is better to entrust the replacement to a qualified craftsman.

This video provides information on how to replace bearings in a non-separable plastic tank ASM Ariston:

Loose pulley or belt

If the washing machine makes noise during the spin cycle and clicks are heard, you should pay attention to the drum pulley and drive belt. As a rule, such a defect appears after prolonged use. During this time, the belt can stretch, shift and slip in the pulley. If the pulley mounting nut is loose, it can rotate relative to the drum.

You can diagnose such malfunctions by running a test mode or hand wash (the drum should rotate slowly). If extraneous sounds do not disappear, you should remove the back cover and inspect the parts. First of all, tighten the pulley mounting nut - it is quite possible that it has become loose. For more reliable fixation, you can apply sealant to the nut. Check the belt tension and adjust it if necessary. If after these steps the noise level does not return to normal, replace the belt.

Counterweights are shifted

The tank is attached to the SM body with springs to minimize vibrations during spinning. For the same purpose, counterweights located around the tank are used. In most ACM models they are attached to the tank with screws.

Under heavy loads and after prolonged use, the fastenings of the counterweights may become loose. In this case, the parts change position, shifting the center of gravity of the tank. As a result, the washing machine makes noise when spinning, and also vibrates strongly, rumbles and even bounces. This problem can be eliminated by tightening the fastening nuts or screws securing the concrete blocks until they stop. In order to get to the counterweights, you will have to remove the top and back covers.

Counterweights

These rather heavy elements of the washing machine hold the unit's tank in place during the spin cycle. They are designed to dampen centrifugal force and counteract the rocking of the washing machine. If you hear a loud noise or rather a rattling noise when spinning the drum, check the counterweights. They are made of concrete, and it tends to deteriorate from old age.

Unscrew the back panel of the washing machine and carefully inspect the counterweights, shake them.
If the fasteners are loose, they need to be tightened by tightening the corresponding bolts tightly. If you find cracks on any of the counterweights, it is better to replace it completely. If this is not done, strong vibration may cause the counterweight to crack and damage the insides of the unit. Then you will have to repair a lot more. See also -
Shock absorbers for washing machines: do-it-yourself repair and replacement

Why does the washing machine hum or whistle when washing?

Main causes of malfunction

Why does the washing machine spark, crackle, rattle and make a bunch of other different sounds that it is not supposed to produce? There can be quite a few reasons, and it is not always necessary to first of all pay attention to the moving elements of the washing machine, but first things first. Specialists with extensive experience in repairing automatic washing machines identify several of the most likely and common causes of the hum and whistle emitted by the “home assistant”; let’s look at them.

Defective cuff of the washing machine hatch.
The sound is caused by a foreign object getting into the washing machine and touching its moving elements during operation.
The sound is caused by a defect in the moving elements of the washing machine (pulley, bearings, belt).
The sound is caused by loosely dangling counterweights.

Note! When troubleshooting, move from simple to complex. There is no need to immediately rush to disassemble the tank and repair the bearings; first check the elements that are easier to reach; perhaps they are the cause of the unpleasant sound.

Hatch cuff defect

This reason may seem strange to some, like how could the cuff be due to the fact that the washing machine whistles and makes a grinding noise? In fact, the connection is direct! The cuff is a large rubber seal that is located around the hatch of the washing machine. Its task is to ensure that water from the tank does not spill out of the machine through the hatch. Under normal conditions, there is a small gap between the cuff and the edges of the rotating drum of the washing machine, and they do not touch each other, but it also happens differently.

In cheap models of washing machines, the cuff may be installed haphazardly or not fit well at all. The edges of the cuff fit right into the drum, catching its edges, or worse, the cuff doesn’t really fit into the groove, which makes it difficult to close the hatch. In this case, if the machine is new, it is better to send it to a service center for repair under warranty. If this is not possible, then you can try to correct the situation yourself.

If the edges of the cuff catch the edges of the drum, then you can proceed as follows.

Open the hatch cover and inspect the cuff more closely.
Rotate the drum by hand to the right and left and see which part of the cuff catches the edge of the drum.
If the clinging edge is small, insert fine sandpaper into the gap between the desired edge of the cuff and run the machine in spin mode. The rapidly rotating drum will erase the protruding part of the gum, and the cause will be eliminated.
If the clinging edge of the cuff is more than 0.5 cm thick, then removing it is dangerous; it is better to replace the cuff with a new, more suitable one.

Garbage and foreign objects

If you hear an unusual ringing, noise or grinding sound during washing or spinning, the reason may be that some foreign object has entered the tank. This often happens when housewives do not check their pockets very carefully. Such items can be nuts, coins, paper clips, bra underwires, metal buttons, and so on. What to do? How to eliminate extraneous noise?

We'll have to tinker. In order to look into the tank, you need to get to the heating element and unscrew it. Through the resulting hole, using long tweezers or just your fingers (if possible), remove objects that make an extraneous sound. Now you need to put the heating element in place, not forgetting to clean and degrease the rubber seal. It can be lubricated, for example, with liquid detergent.

Sometimes the problem can be solved much easier. Some models of “washing machines” have a special sump in which a filter is installed. In this case, you just need to open the sump door. It is most often located in the front. Now we just take out the filter and shake out everything that gets into it.

Some parts are worn out

A typical situation if you have an old automatic machine. When it hums or clicks, the pulley seems to be loose.

— BELT

To get to the belt and pulley to check their functionality, you must:

— Remove the back cover. There is a large wheel under it - this is the pulley. — Inspect the pulley. It may have defects.

IMPORTANT! The drive belt is placed on the pulley. Inspect it carefully. Are there any defects? Keep in mind that even a small chip will affect the performance.

— COUNTERWEIGHT

If there are no defects on the belt, then reach the counterweight. It looks like a big rock that is screwed to the car. When the mounting holes are larger than the bolts screwed into them, the counterweight needs to be changed.

IMPORTANT! To be completely sure of the replacement, you need to swing the counterweight from side to side. If it wobbles, then change it.

— BEARING

Bearing failure is a big problem. Of course, you can replace it yourself, but it is very difficult. This involves the following: remove the heating element, pull out the engine, move the belt. Then we take out the tank and halve it. We knock out the bearings and replace them with new ones.

IMPORTANT! As a rule, the first thing that occurs is the wear of the oil seals, which serve to seal the tank. Moisture gets on the bearing, and it becomes rusty and breaks.

Faulty pump

Sometimes, when the washer hums and makes noise while draining water, the reason may be that the drain pump is damaged. You can try to correct the situation by cleaning the strainer. It is located on the front side of the unit, behind a special cover.

You also need to make sure that the drain pipe is clean. This is another reason why the machine began to make noise. Clean the pipe, it is likely that the noise will disappear.

If nothing helps and the unit still hums and rattles, things are bad. The drain pump has completely failed and will have to be replaced. To avoid mistakes, listen carefully to the operation of the unit. You can “suspect” the pump only if the “washing machine” makes noise only when filling or draining water, and the rest of the time it works quietly. The sound will be very similar to the noise of a running transformer.

Why does the washing machine whistle when washing - Construction, repair, arrangement

In this situation, there may be a serious malfunction. In any case, this is a reason to think seriously and start looking for the cause of the unpleasant sound.

We will talk about the causes of these sounds made by a washing machine, as well as ways to eliminate them, in this article.

Why is the washing machine so noisy?

Modern washing machines are distinguished not only by excellent quality of washing things, but also by such a pleasant “bonus” as low noise level during operation.

And this is really very important: you can start doing laundry at any time, even at night. Unfortunately, in some cases, washing machines begin to make noise. Sometimes due to breakdowns, sometimes due to not entirely correct operation.

Most often, owners contact the service center with complaints about the following noises:

The washing machine makes a lot of noise when spinning, vibrates or even “jumps,” thereby creating additional noise.
When draining water from the machine, the drain pump makes loud noises.
The machine makes noise whenever the drum rotates: during washing, rinsing, spinning, and even if you simply turn the drum by hand.
A loud noise is heard when drawing water.

Does this always indicate a breakdown? Let's figure it out.

Equipment may make sounds - this is normal.

It is worth understanding that a washing machine, like any unit, still creates some sounds during operation. In particular, you may hear:

the sound of water pouring as it is drawn;
the noise of a running drain pump (pump) when draining water;
the sound of the engine when the drum rotates;
drum noise at high speeds during spinning;
clicks if the machine switches modes, for example, moves from the washing phase to rinsing mode, etc.;
the noise of water heating, like in a kettle, during the washing process.

Source: https://gildiyamebel.com/pochemu-svistit-stiralnaya-mashina-pri-stirke/

Rubber compressor

It happens that during operation, and especially during spinning, the washing machine whistles.
In this case, you find rubber shavings on the cover or walls of the hatch. Most likely it's the seal. This most often happens with inexpensive models of washing machines. Of course, it is best to replace the seal and choose a new one that fits in size. But you can try to solve the problem with the help of advice from folk craftsmen. Take a small piece of sandpaper and insert it between the front wall and the rubber seal. Now run any wash cycle that is at least half an hour long. There is no need to put laundry down. Sandpaper will help you adjust the elastic to size. All you have to do is take it out and remove the rubber debris from the machine. To do this, run an additional rinse cycle and then clean all filters.

Incorrect installation of the washing machine

Sometimes the answer to the question why a home laundry machine rattles and rattles during washing, especially during the spin cycle, is that it is simply not installed correctly. We are not talking about the electrical part here, but simply about its physical location. If the unit is not installed level, then when rotating at high speeds, for example, during a spin cycle, the centrifugal force will unbalance it. This leads to the following consequences:

strong vibration is observed;
the body of the car sways or “jumps”, moving from its place;
A strong knocking and beating of the drum is heard.

To correct the situation, nothing needs to be repaired. All you need to do is set the washing machine level by tightening the legs. The sound should disappear.

If, after checking all the reasons described above, you still have not found the reason why the washing machine makes unusual sounds, the problem may be in the electric motor or the “wired” part of the unit. You can’t do this without special skills. It's best to call a professional. Using a multimeter, he will carefully “ring” all suspicious places and determine the cause of the hazing sounds.

Why does the washing machine hum and whistle when washing?

The washing machine is not silent during operation, but makes sounds - during washing, during rinsing or during the spin program.

But sometimes the car starts to rattle, hum, whistle and make noise very loudly, which does not have a positive effect on the human nervous system.

How to determine which noise is normal and which is not?

It all depends on the drive.

Why does the washing machine hum or whistle when washing?

In the belt drive version of the machine, it is normally considered to be from 60 to 72 dB, and if it is a direct drive, then from 52-70 dB. Otherwise, the sounds may indicate a malfunction of the machine.

Such a nuisance can occur when starting the machine for the first time. In this case, you can check the transportation bolts; maybe they were simply forgotten and not removed. Or perhaps the equipment is installed incorrectly and needs adjustment.

In other cases, there can be many reasons for failure. Let's look at the main points at which a car can make strange sounds.

Pulley

A common situation for old automatic machines. If the washing machine begins to hum or makes sounds similar to clicks, then most likely the pulley has become loose.

Belt

To get to the belt and pulley in order to check their performance, you need to:

Remove the back cover, under which there is a large wheel - this is the pulley.
Inspect the pulley for defects. If they are missing, move on.
The drive belt is mounted on a pulley and requires careful examination for defects, because even a slight crack affects its operation.

Counterweight

If the belt is in working condition, then you need to get to the counterweight.

To do this, you must first find a counterweight. It looks like a big rock bolted to a car. If the mounting holes are larger than the bolts screwed into them, the counterweight must be replaced. To be 100 percent sure of the replacement, try rocking the counterweight from side to side. If it wobbles, it definitely needs to be replaced.

Bearing

An unsuccessful failure is a bearing failure. Why? Because it is very difficult to replace it yourself, but it is possible.

You will need to remove the heating element and pull out the engine by moving the belt.
Next comes the tank, which needs to be halved.
All that remains is to knock out the bearings and replace them with new ones.

Typically, the seals that seal the tank are the first to wear out. In this case, moisture enters the bearing and it rusts and breaks.

Problem with the hatch cuff

The washing machine whistles or makes a loud noise during the spin cycle and it’s not clear what the cuff has to do with it?

But in fact, if the cuff is installed poorly, it may not fit into the groove of the machine, which prevents the hatch from closing tightly.

Or the cuff may hang down or even be installed “haphazardly”. If the cuff clings to the edge, the following steps will help fix it:

Inspect the cuff.
Find the clinging edge.
To correct a small edge of up to 0.5 cm, you will need fine sandpaper (not a knife), which is inserted into the gap between this edge.
The next step is to turn on the spin mode. The point is that the drum, rotating, will erase the protruding part, and the machine will stop making noise. If the edge is larger, then the best solution is to replace the cuff.

Foreign objects

The culprits of the malfunction are not always the moving elements of the machine.

The washing machine sometimes whistles when the drum rotates due to the presence of foreign objects.

These could be paper clips, pins, coins, nails, underwear bones, etc. These cute and small-sized items are quite capable of sending your car to the landfill.

If there is a foreign object between the drum and the cuff, it can be removed.

Prevention

In order to invite a technician into your home as little as possible, it is enough to follow simple rules for operating the washing unit. This will not only extend its service life, but also save you from unnecessary hassle. What are these rules?

Do not overload the machine. It is better to put a little less laundry in it than required according to the instructions.
Try to do laundry no more than once a day. This will avoid additional stress on the parts. The washing machine will have time to cool down and dry thoroughly.
Clean all possible filters regularly. You can also install additional water purifiers if necessary.
Clean your machine from limescale deposits more often. Use special tools for this and follow the instructions.
If possible, run the boiling program and spin mode at maximum speed as often as possible. If you do this often, components and parts will fail much faster.
Before putting things in the machine, do not forget to carefully inspect the pockets and folds. Keep buttons and zippers fastened, and use a special bag for washing bras. All these precautions will save you from “fishing out” small objects from the bottom of the drum.

And remember: you shouldn’t delay the repair of the “home laundry”. If you ignore the problem at the initial stage, the matter may worsen and then the repair will cost much more.

See also:

10 Best Top Loading Washing Machines
10 best Hotpoint-Ariston washing machines according to customer reviews
10 best Electrolux washing machines according to customer reviews
10 best ATLANT washing machines according to customer reviews
10 best built-in washing machines