LG Washer Dryer Making Noise: Separate Load, Installation, and Part Problems

Use only checks that match the exact appliance or system and its official guide.

1. Classify the sound by cycle phase

   From a safe position, note whether the sound occurs during wash agitation, water draining, high-speed spin, or the drying portion. Describe it as tapping, clacking, rattling, thumping, humming, gurgling, squealing, or metallic scraping, and note whether the cabinet or door is visibly shaking.

   Expected result: The sound is only during spin, only during draining, follows the dryer drum, occurs throughout every phase, or is accompanied by severe movement, smoke, burning odor, leak, or electrical damage.

   Next step: Follow the matching load, installation, foreign-object, drain, dryer, or stop branch. Do not continue a cycle that is moving violently or producing a safety symptom.

   Why this matters

   Why: Spin points toward load balance, level, shipping hardware, or surrounding contact; drain noise can be pump or filter related; dryer noise can be laundry or rollers; a sharp persistent scrape or safety symptom needs service rather than more testing.

2. Pause and redistribute an uneven load

   When the washer has stopped moving, pause the cycle, open the door only when the lock releases, and spread the laundry evenly. Remove a single bulky or waterproof item if it has pulled the load to one side; do not place hands into a moving drum or force the door open.

   Expected result: The noise stops after the load is spread, returns only with a blanket or single heavy item, or remains with a balanced ordinary load.

   Next step: Run one supervised model-appropriate spin or rinse-and-spin check with a balanced load. If the sound returns with an ordinary balanced load, continue to the level and service checks.

   Why this matters

   Why: LG identifies laundry clumped on one side, bulky items, and unsuitable loads as causes of pounding, rattling, and extended balancing movements. Persistence with a balanced load makes load imbalance less likely.

3. Check stability and visible installation hardware

   With the appliance empty and stationary, gently press opposite corners to see whether it rocks, and check that it stands on a firm level floor with all visible feet in contact. If it was recently installed, use the exact LG manual to confirm that shipping bolts or packing supports were removed; do not tilt a stacked or heavy unit alone.

   Expected result: The machine rocks, a foot is not firmly contacting the floor, the floor flexes, nearby walls or cabinets are being struck, or shipping hardware may still be installed.

   Next step: Adjust the leveling feet only as described by the model instructions and secure any specified lock nuts. If the machine is stacked, cannot be leveled safely, or still vibrates, arrange qualified service.

   Why this matters

   Why: LG links excessive noise and vibration to an unleveled machine, unstable floor, nearby contact, or shipping hardware left in place after installation. Installation hardware that cannot be safely addressed from the manual should be handled by service.

4. Check for objects, hoses, and a loud drain sound

   After pausing and waiting for the drum to stop, remove accessible laundry and look for coins, hair pins, zippers, or other loose objects in the drum and pockets. From outside the unit, check whether the inlet or drain hose is tapping the cabinet and whether the drain filter symptom matches the model guide; do not open an access cover or remove residual water unless that guide supports it and the appliance is safely isolated.

   Expected result: A loose object is present, a hose or nearby shelf is being struck, a loud hum occurs only while draining, or the noise remains with the drum empty and surroundings clear.

   Next step: Remove only accessible laundry objects, reposition a loose hose or nearby item, and follow the exact model procedure for a drain filter. If the object is trapped, the filter cannot be safely serviced, or the sound persists, stop and request service.

   Why this matters

   Why: LG identifies objects as clacking or rattling causes, hoses and cabinets as tapping sources, and a drain-pump hum as normal unless unusually loud or obstructed by debris. Noise with an empty clear drum is more likely to need diagnosis.

5. Separate normal dryer sounds from scraping

   For noise during drying, stop the cycle when safe and check pockets, zippers, buttons, and loose accessories before the next load. Note whether the sound is a brief startup or reversal tone, a low hum or gurgle, or a sharp squeal or metal-scraping sound that continues through the cycle.

   Expected result: The noise follows an object in the load, occurs briefly at startup or drum reversal, is a low hum or gurgle, or is a persistent sharp metallic scrape.

   Next step: Remove loose objects and secure fasteners for a supervised next cycle only when no safety symptom exists. For persistent scraping, burning odor, unusual heat, or damaged parts, keep the dryer off and arrange service.

   Why this matters

   Why: LG describes some dryer hums, gurgles, brief belt-settling sounds, and roller thumps as normal; pockets and fasteners can strike the drum. Persistent sharp scraping can indicate worn or damaged internal parts and is not a load adjustment issue.

6. Stop and arrange qualified diagnosis when noise persists

   Record the model, cycle phase, sound description, load type, movement, object or hose checks, level check, shipping-hardware status, and any error message. Keep the washer-dryer out of service if the noise continues after the safe checks or if the drum sounds rough when stationary; do not remove panels or diagnose a belt, bearing, motor, or roller by sound alone.

   Expected result: The noise disappears after one safe correction, returns with a normal load, occurs with an empty drum, or is accompanied by scraping, burning odor, smoke, leak, electrical damage, or severe movement.

   Next step: Use qualified LG service for a persistent mechanical or electrical noise. For smoke, burning odor, sparking, a damaged cord, a leak near electrics, or violent movement, stop immediately and use the appropriate emergency or electrical service channel.

   Why this matters

   Why: A corrected load or installation issue can be monitored. Persistent or empty-drum noise, sharp scraping, and safety symptoms require proper diagnosis because internal or electrical damage cannot be identified safely from outside.