BACKSEP 24, 2025
There are few household sounds more disruptive than a washing machine that’s decided to start its own heavy metal band. That sudden, violent thumping during the spin cycle or the persistent scraping sound can make you think a major appliance catastrophe is imminent. It’s enough to make you want to stop doing laundry altogether.
Looking for more guidance? Take a look at our Repairs overview.
But before you start budgeting for a costly repair or a brand-new machine, I’ve got some good news for you. Most of the time, a noisy washing machine is not a sign of impending doom. In fact, the most common causes are surprisingly simple to fix yourself in under 30 minutes with just a couple of basic tools—or sometimes, no tools at all!
Whether your washer is vibrating violently, making a scraping noise, or just seems off-balance, we’re here to help you diagnose the problem and fix it. Think of me as your friendly expert on the other end of the line, walking you through each step to restore peace and quiet to your laundry room.
Before we roll up our sleeves, let's quickly go over the usual suspects behind a noisy washer. Understanding what might be wrong can help you zero in on the solution faster.
Now that we know what we’re listening for, let’s start troubleshooting.
We'll approach this like a detective. First, we'll gather clues to pinpoint the problem, and then we'll move on to the fix.
Our first task is to figure out when the noise is occurring. Is it a constant scraping sound throughout the wash, or a violent banging that only happens during the final spin? This distinction is key to finding the right solution.
Did you notice the noise happens only during the spin cycle? If so, proceed to the next section. If the noise is continuous or you heard scraping when turning the drum by hand, you can skip ahead to the "Troubleshooting Continuous Scraping or Rattling" section.
A washer that sounds like it’s trying to escape the laundry room during the spin cycle is almost always caused by an unbalanced load or unlevel feet.
This is the easiest fix, so let's start here. High-speed spinning exaggerates any imbalance, causing the entire machine to shake violently.
If the noise is gone, you’ve found your culprit! Going forward, try to mix large and small items in each load to help prevent imbalance. If the thumping continues, it’s time to check if the machine is level.
An unlevel washing machine will vibrate and rock back and forth, creating a tremendous amount of noise. You'll need a 4-foot level for this check, and possibly an adjustable wrench.
If your laundry room is now blissfully quiet, congratulations! You’ve fixed the problem.
If your machine makes a rattling or scraping sound throughout the wash cycle, it’s likely a foreign object has found its way into the drum.
If the noise is gone, you’ve successfully removed the intruder! To prevent this in the future, get in the habit of checking all pockets before doing laundry. If the noise persists, an unlevel machine could also be the cause, so go back and perform the leveling steps described above.
You’ve redistributed the load, leveled the machine, and cleared out any foreign objects, but the noise just won’t quit. If you’ve tried all the DIY steps above and the sound continues—especially if it’s a loud grinding or humming noise—it’s likely a sign of a more serious mechanical issue. This could be:
These repairs are complex and require specialized tools and expertise. Hiring a professional appliance repair technician is your safest and most effective option. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost for a professional washing machine repair can range from $150 to $350, which is often far more affordable than buying a new machine.
Fixing a noisy washing machine is a huge win for any homeowner. It saves you money, gives you a sense of accomplishment, and restores tranquility to your home. But it’s just one of the many tasks that come with homeownership.
For more easy-to-follow DIY guides, personalized maintenance reminders, and a simple way to connect with vetted, trusted professionals for the jobs you can’t handle yourself, download the Casa app today! Casa is designed to make you a more confident and capable homeowner, giving you the support you need to tackle any project, big or small.
