Washing machine making grinding noise: causes, part cost
Prices checked 2026-08-28
A washing machine making grinding noise is most often a not level / loose locknuts problem - about 30% of reported jobs. Here is how to confirm it, what the part costs, and when to stop.
A washing machine is a pump, a motor and a timer working together. Most washer faults are the pump or the mechanical connection between motor and tub, and both are cheaper to fix than most people expect.
Washing machine making grinding noise is one of the most common repair searches there is. Noises are the machine narrating its own failure. A rattle, a squeal and a hum each point at different parts, and the sound usually tells you which one – which is why this list is organised by what you hear.
Before you call anyone: 30-second checks
- Identify the sound first: squealing is usually a belt or bearing, grinding a bearing or foreign object, humming a motor or capacitor.
- Check for foreign objects – a coin, bone or zipper explains a surprising share of noises.
- Check that the unit is level and not vibrating against a wall or panel.
The likely causes, ranked
Not level / loose locknuts
About 30% of washing machine making grinding noise jobs come back to this cause. This is a component-level failure – the part itself has worn out or failed, which is why it sits on the ranked list rather than the free-check list.
How to confirm it: It is worth confirming with a multimeter or a visual check before ordering the part, and worth asking the shop if the part is returnable.
Typical fix: usually free. A capable DIYer can usually handle this one.
Foreign object in the tub or pump
About 26% of washing machine making grinding noise jobs come back to this cause. A motor, fan or pump with its drive components is a wear item – belts stretch, bearings dry out, capacitors lose their charge and relays stick.
How to confirm it: Listen for the motor: a hum with no movement points at a capacitor or belt; a grinding or squeal points at a bearing. Each has a different price tag.
Typical fix: usually free. A capable DIYer can usually handle this one.
Worn tub bearing or spider arm
About 24% of washing machine making grinding noise jobs come back to this cause. A motor, fan or pump with its drive components is a wear item – belts stretch, bearings dry out, capacitors lose their charge and relays stick.
How to confirm it: Listen for the motor: a hum with no movement points at a capacitor or belt; a grinding or squeal points at a bearing. Each has a different price tag.
Typical fix: $200. This one is best left to a professional. You would be looking for a tub bearing.
Shock absorbers worn
About 20% of washing machine making grinding noise jobs come back to this cause. This is a component-level failure – the part itself has worn out or failed, which is why it sits on the ranked list rather than the free-check list.
How to confirm it: It is worth confirming with a multimeter or a visual check before ordering the part, and worth asking the shop if the part is returnable.
Typical fix: $90. A capable DIYer can usually handle this one. You would be looking for a shock absorber.
When to stop and call a pro
A loud bang, a screech that changes pitch, or any noise followed by a smell – stop the unit and investigate. Otherwise, identify the sound, find it on the list, and price the part before calling anyone.
How to keep it from coming back
Noise is wear announcing itself early. Catching a bearing or belt at the squeal stage costs $20-60; catching it at the failure stage costs a motor or a drum.
Bottom line: Washing machine making grinding noise is worth diagnosing before you call anyone – the free checks above catch a surprising share of cases, and the ranked list tells you what the part should cost if it is not one of them. Run the figures through the repair-or-replace test on this page before you authorise any work, and never pay for a diagnosis without getting the part name and the price in writing first.
Likely causes, most common first
| Likely cause | How often | Typical fix | Who does it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not level / loose locknuts | 30% | free | DIY-able |
| Foreign object in the tub or pump | 26% | free | DIY-able |
| Worn tub bearing or spider armtub bearing | 24% | $200 | Pro job |
| Shock absorbers wornshock absorber | 20% | $90 | DIY-able |
Frequencies are the share of reported jobs attributed to each cause across repair-platform and forum data - a starting point for diagnosis, not a certainty.
What this should cost to put right
Across the causes listed above the repair runs $0 to $200. A quote far above the top of that range is usually a diagnosis of convenience - get a second opinion before you authorise it.
Repair it, or replace the unit?
This is the number people get wrong most often, and it costs them the most. Run the quote through the test - it uses the mid-point cost of the fix above against a new unit and the years this one has left.
REPAIR IT
The repair is 11% of a new unit and the appliance has roughly 4 year(s) of expected life left. Fixing it is the economical call. A new unit would save about $45/year in running costs, so keep repairing until that pays back in under 5 years.
Decision rule: repair when the fix costs under 50% of a replacement and the unit is under 70% through its expected life.
Other washing machine symptoms
Common questions
Is it dangerous if my washing machine has a "making grinding noise" problem?
Usually not immediately - none of the likely causes on this page involve gas, fuel or a mains electrical fault. The two cautions that apply everywhere: keep water away from any electrical point, and if you ever smell gas or burning, stop diagnosing and call a professional.
How much does it cost to fix a washing machine with a "making grinding noise" problem?
Most fixes for this run $0 to $200. The most common cause, not level / loose locknuts, runs about nothing - it is a free check to put right, and the part you would be looking for is not usually sold separately. Get the diagnosis in writing before authorising anything above the top of the range.
Why does my washing machine have a "making grinding noise" problem?
In about 30% of reported cases it is a not level / loose locknuts. It is the first thing to check because it is the most common - and usually the cheapest. If that checks out clean, work down the ranked list on this page before paying for a diagnosis.
Should I repair or replace my washing machine?
Repair it when the fix costs under half of a replacement and the unit is under 50% through its roughly 11-year expected life. Past that point a repair is usually a deposit on the next failure - run the test on this page with your actual quote before you decide.
How this figure was built
Reviewed 2026-08-28 · quarterly.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - construction and repair trades
- EPA Energy Guide appliance ratings
- North American Electrical Metrics / manufacturer parts catalogues
National averages. Local labour can run 20-40% above or below these figures; the calculators apply a metro factor on top.
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