Is your new or perhaps old washing machine spin cycle very loud? Are you wondering what it might be and considering calling an expert or getting a new washer? Don’t just yet!
Well, your washing machine spin cycle is very loud because of a washer or laundry imbalance, excessive or bulky load, trapped foreign objects, detergent overuse, inadequate clearance, clogged drain filter, faulty washer belt, idler pulley, or drain pump, or worn-out clutch assembly.
If it’s a front loader, consider these additional issues: loose shipping bolts, broken agitator dogs, damaged spider arms, or worn-out shock absorbers. On the other hand, consider the possibility of a worn-out suspension rod, tub bearing, or motor coupling if it’s a top loader.
In that case, the first 12 issues apply to both washer types, while the remaining seven are split between a top loader and a front loader, just as I have mentioned. I’ll also discuss and highlight them in the table below to help you quickly stop the noise.
It’s worth mentioning, however, that washing machines produce different types of loud noises, and once you learn to distinguish them, it becomes easy to narrow down the possible causes and fix them. That’s also something I’ll share in this troubleshooting guide.
Let’s get started!
In a hurry? Below is a table highlighting the various reasons for a loud spin cycle, plus the matching sound types and fixes.
Quick Troubleshooting Guide for a Loud Washing Machine Spin Cycle
| – | Likely Issue | Noise Type | Recommended Fix |
| All Washer Types | |||
| 1. | Washer Imbalance | Banging, clanging, or rattling, rattling, clicking, knocking, or thumping sound | Steady and level the washer |
| 2. | Laundry Imbalance | Thumping, vibrating, banging, clanging, or knocking sound | Evenly balance the laundry load |
| 3. | Excessive Load | Banging, clanging, squeaking, squealing, jet engine or grinding noise | Keep the load size ¾ drum full |
| 4. | Bulky Load | Thumping, vibrating, banging, or clanging sound | Remove bulky items like rugs, mats, and electric blanket |
| 5. | Trapped Foreign Objects | Screeching, rattling, or jet engine sound | Remove loose trapped metal objects like keys, pins, and jewelry |
| 6. | Detergent Overuse | Jet engine | Don’t use excess detergent; only use what the washer manufacturer recommends. |
| 7. | Inadequate Clearance | Knocking or vibration sound | Move the washer away from the wall |
| 8. | Clogged Drain Filter | Grating, rattling, or grinding noise | Clean the drain filter |
| 9. | Faulty Washer Belt | Squealing, squeaking, or jet engine sound | Replace the belt |
| 10. | Faulty Idler Pulley | Screeching sound | Replace the pulley |
| 11. | Defective Drain Pump | Squealing, squeaking, jet engine, or loud rumbling noise | Replace the pump |
| 12. | Worn-Out Clutch Assembly | Scraping sound | Replace the clutch assembly |
| Front Loaders Only | |||
| 13. | Loose Shipping Bolts | Knocking, thumping, rattling, squeaking, or grinding noise | Tighten the sipping bolts |
| 14. | Broken Agitator Dogs | – | Replace the agitator dogs. |
| 15. | Damaged Spider Arms | Banging or clanging noise | Replace the spider arms |
| 16. | Worn-Out Shock Absorbers | Banging or clanging noise | Replace the shock absorbers |
| Top Loaders Only | |||
| 17. | Worn-Out Suspension Rods | Clanging or banging noise | Replace the suspension rods |
| 18. | Worn-Out Tub Bearing | Jet engine, grinding, banging, jet engine, loud rumbling, or clanging | Replace the tub bearing |
| 19. | Broken Motor Coupling | Rumbling noise | Replace the motor coupling |
Why Is My Spin Cycle So Loud? Explaining a Loud Washing Machine Spin Cycle
While the washing machine’s spin cycle is expected not to be very loud. If it is, then something must be wrong, and here are 19 likely issues:
A Very Loud Spin Cycle on Either a Top Loader or Front Loader Washing Machine
1. Washer imbalance
Your washer will make some loud noise if it’s out of balance. That could happen if the washer rests on an uneven surface or its feet are loose or unlevelled. In that case, check out for both.
The washing machine will make a banging, clanging, rattling, clicking, knocking, or thumping sound if it’s out of balance.
Fix
Try moving the washer to a more uniform surface if where it’s resting is uneven. However, if the feet are loose, tighten them, and if they are unlevelled, adjust them accordingly.
2. Laundry imbalance
Ideally, the laundry should be even within the drum for a smooth turn. If it’s uneven, sometimes forming heaps, then it’s likely to make some noise, and it could be a loud thumping, vibrating, banging, clanging, or knocking sound.
Fix
Consider redistributing the laundry load evenly. It may mean adding or removing a few articles just to even the load.
3. Excessive load
Your washing machine shouldn’t be more than ¾ full to allow a smooth spinning process. If you overload it, several things could happen. One, the washer might not spin, or two, it might turn but make some loud noise.
In the latter case, the washer can make a loud banging, clanging, squeaking, squealing, jet engine, or grinding noise.
Fix
Just reduce the load size and keep it ¾ full or less but not less than ½ full.
4. Bulky load
If there are bulky items such as rugs, door mats, electric blankets, or any other in the drum, they are likely to make some noise as the washer spins. The noise could be a loud thumping, vibrating, banging, or clanging sound, which can be annoying.
Fix
Remove the bulky items and consider washing them separately.
5. Trapped foreign objects
Your washer will make some noise if there are any trapped foreign objects, especially metallic options. That includes pins, keys, jewelry, and broken zippers, among many others.
In such a case, the washing will make a loud screeching, rattling, or jet engine sound during its spin cycle.
Fix
Stop your washing machine from running, inspect the tub for any trapped foreign metallic objects, and remove them. Do that before you restart the washer.
6. Detergent overuse
Are you wondering, ‘Why does my washer sound like a jet engine?’
Well, it’s highly likely due to too much detergent, which isn’t suitable for the washer. For one, it’ll form excessive suds, which may interfere with the draining and spinning cycles. And in our case, the washer might make some annoying jet engine sound.
Fix
Don’t use too much detergent. Also, ensure you only use the recommended detergent type, which in most cases is a high-efficiency (HE) detergent (View on Amazon).
7. Inadequate clearance
The washing machine shouldn’t be too close to the wall. If it is, the drain hose will likely rattle against its walls or the house and make a knocking or vibration sound, which can be annoying.
Fix
Move the washer a few inches off the wall to create enough clearance for the extended drain hose.
8. Clogged drain filter
The drain filter should be free from any obstruction for the washer to run smoothly. Over time, however, this washer component becomes clogged, and when it does, the washer may make a grating, rattling, or grinding noise during the spin cycle.
Fix
Inspect the drain filter for any possible obstruction and clean it.
9. Faulty washer belt
Overall, a broken dive belt will stop the washer from spinning. However, if the washer belt is not entirely broken but loose, worn out, or fractured, it’ll produce some noise, and the loud noise could be a squealing, squeaking, or jet engine sound.
Fix
Check the drive belt for signs of fault and replace it.
10. Faulty idler pulley
The idler pulley plays a critical role in spinning your washing machine. While it may not stop the washer from turning 100% if damaged, it will make a screeching noise.
Fix
Check out the idler pulley for signs of damage and replace it.
11. Defective drain pump
Yes, you expect the drain pump to make some noise as it runs, but it shouldn’t be too loud. If it is, especially if it’s a squealing, squeaking, jet-engine, or loud rumbling noise, the drain pump could be faulty.
Fix
Check if the drain pump is excessively clogged or damaged; if it is, replace it.
12. Worn-out clutch assembly
Usually, the clutch assembly connects to the transmission shaft and determines how fast the inner washer tub turns. It, however, wears down over time and may make an annoying scraping noise as a result.
Fix
Inspect the clutch assembly for wear and replace it if that’s the case.
Front Load Washing Machine Spin Cycle Very Loud
13. Loose shipping bolts (new washing machine spin cycle very loud)
If a new front loader makes a knocking, thumping, rattling, squeaking, or grinding noise, the shipping bolts are likely very loose. Ordinarily, you should tighten them before using the washer.
Fix
Tighten up the loose shipping bolts before running the washer.
14. Broken agitator dogs
The agitator dogs are plastic parts that aid the front loader in agitation. If damaged, which may happen over time, the washer may make some loud noise.
Fix
Inspect the agitator dogs for damage and replace them.
15. Damaged spider arms
A front loader contains spider arms whose job is to hold the drum. If they are damaged, the drum will be shaky and make a loud banging or clanging noise.
Fix
Replace damaged spider arms.
16. Worn-out shock absorbers
The shock absorbers on a front loader hold the drum as it turns smoothly to prevent vibrations. They, however, wear down over time, and when they do, the washer makes a loud banging or clanging noise.
Fix
Replace the worn-out shock absorbers.
Top Load Washing Machine Spin Cycle Very Loud
17. Worn-out suspension rods
In the case of a top loader, we don’t have shock absorbers but suspension rods. Usually, there are about four suspension rods, and if any of them are worn out, the washer will make a banging or clanging noise.
Fix
Replace the worn-out suspension rod.
18. Worn-out tub bearing
Your top loader will make some noise if the tub bearing, responsible for holding the rum while spinning, wears out. It could be a Jet engine, grinding, banging, jet engine, loud rumbling, or clanging sound.
Fix
Replace the tub bearings.
19. Broken motor coupling
If the motor coupling is damaged, expect your washer to make a rumbling noise.
Fix
Replace the motor coupling.
Sharp Washing Machine Noisy When Spinning
If you have a sharp washing machine that makes a loud noise while spinning, consider that it could be due to the following:
- Laundry overload or bulky load
- Uneven washer or laundry
- Too much detergent
- Loose shipping bolts
- Inadequate clearance
- Faulty drive belt, idler pulley, or drain pump
But How Do You Fix a Noisy Washing Machine When Spinning?
Generally, here are the critical steps for fixing a noisy washing machine when spinning:
- Level the washer
- Properly load and distribute the laundry
- Don’t overuse the detergent
- Remove trapped foreign objects
- Create enough clearance around the washer
- Clean the drain filter
- Tighten loose shipping bolts
- Replace defective or worn-out parts
Concluding Thought On a Washing Machine Spin Cycle Very Loud
Now you know the issues to check when your washing machine’s spin cycle is loud. So, go through the checks and try the recommended troubleshooting. However, if you cannot fix the washer, call an expert, as they know better!
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