Whirlpool Washer Dryer Making Noise: Find the Source Safely

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

1. Check 1

   With the appliance stopped, identify which cabinet is making the sound and write down the cycle stage. On the washer, compare fill or spray, agitation or tumble, drain, and spin. On the dryer, compare start, tumbling, heat, and the end of the cycle. Keep clear of the drums while they move.

   Expected result: Spraying, splashing, or sloshing occurs during fill or rinse; a short clunk occurs as the washer changes between agitation and spin; gurgling occurs only near the end of drain; or the noise is a repeating thump, rattle, scrape, or bang from the dryer.

   Next step: If a sound is brief and stage-specific with no hazard, continue to the matching washer or dryer check. If it is violent, metallic and persistent, or accompanied by a leak, heat, odor, smoke, spark, or breaker trip, stop and arrange service without another test cycle.

   Why this matters

   Why: The stage separates normal water or drive sounds from a load or balance problem and prevents treating a washer vibration as a dryer fault. Whirlpool describes fill, agitation, and rinse water sounds as normal and identifies a brief drive change clunk as normal on applicable washers.

2. Check 2

   For a washer-side bang, clunk, or vibration, stop the cycle and redistribute the load loosely. Remove coins, buttons, and other pocket items, avoid a single heavy item or an overloaded basket, and look around the outside for an object leaning against the cabinet. Check that the drain and inlet hoses are not free to strike the rear panel. With the washer idle, rock it gently corner-to-corner and confirm all four feet are firmly on the floor; adjust only as described in the model installation instructions.

   Expected result: The sound disappears after the load is balanced or an outside object or hose is secured; the washer rocks or a foot is not firmly planted; or the noise remains with an empty, balanced load and clear surroundings.

   Next step: Run one normal, supervised check only after the load and surroundings are safe. If the washer still bangs, walks, leaks, or the drum strikes the cabinet, stop using it and request service; do not remove panels or attempt suspension, bearing, or drive repairs.

   Why this matters

   Why: Improvement after redistribution points to load balance or a loose external contact. Rocking indicates leveling or installation needs attention. A persistent noise with an empty, stable washer is less consistent with a simple load and needs professional diagnosis.

3. Check 3

   If the washer noise is concentrated during drain, observe whether water leaves normally and whether the sound is a smooth hum or end-of-drain gurgle rather than a grinding or repeated hard rattle. Check only the visible drain hose for kinks, cabinet contact, or an obvious obstruction. Keep the washer stopped if water is standing, a hose is leaking, or access would require removing a pump cover or reaching inside.

   Expected result: A smooth hum or brief gurgle occurs only while the tub finishes draining and the water clears; the hose taps the cabinet; water remains or drains slowly; or the pump area produces grinding, hard rattling, or a leak.

   Next step: Secure a visibly contacting hose if the model instructions allow it and run no more than one supervised drain check. If water remains, the harsh noise repeats, or a leak appears, stop, protect the area from water and electricity, and call a qualified appliance technician.

   Why this matters

   Why: Whirlpool explains that the pump runs through drain and may pull air near the end, producing a normal gurgle. A hose contact can make a separate knock. Remaining water, a persistent harsh noise, or a leak suggests a blocked drain path, pump, or other fault beyond an external check.

4. Check 4

   For a dryer-side thump, rattle, or scrape, stop the dryer, allow hot surfaces to cool, and remove the load. Check pockets and garment hardware, then inspect the visible front and rear drum seams and the lint-screen opening for a loose coin, clip, fastener, sock, or other object. Remove only an object that is plainly reachable without tools or cabinet access. Do not reach into a moving drum or blower path.

   Expected result: The load was balled up or contained loose hardware; a small object is visible at a drum seam or lint opening; a light thump occurs only during the first minutes after long non-use; or the empty dryer still scrapes, bangs, or makes a repeating high-pitched noise.

   Next step: Correct the load or remove the plainly visible object and make one short, supervised check. If the noise persists, worsens, or involves metal-on-metal contact, stop and arrange service; do not open the dryer cabinet or attempt roller, idler, blower, heating, or gas repairs.

   Why this matters

   Why: A twisted load, pocket item, or accessible foreign object can explain a new intermittent sound. Whirlpool also notes that support rollers can make a light initial thump after non-use and that loose items can reach the lint chute and contact the blower. A persistent empty-drum scrape or bang points to an internal drum support, blower, or drive problem.

5. Check 5

   With the dryer cool and disconnected according to its manual, check the lint screen, the visible vent hose behind the unit, and the outside hood for lint, crushing, kinks, debris, or a flap that cannot open freely. Remove lint from the screen and only the accessible external path. Also check that the dryer is level, all legs contact the floor, and the cabinet is not touching the washer or another object.

   Expected result: Airflow is weak, lint is visible around the screen or outlet, the hose is crushed, the hood is obstructed, the dryer rocks, or the sound is unchanged despite clear airflow and stable clearance.

   Next step: Correct only visible lint, clearance, or leveling issues allowed by the model instructions. Do not bypass a safety control or continue operating with overheating, burning odor, smoke, sparks, gas odor, or a tripped breaker; arrange qualified service for any recurring unusual noise.

   Why this matters

   Why: Restricted airflow can raise heat and make the dryer noisy or inefficient; an unlevel dryer or contact with the washer can transmit vibration. If those external causes are absent, an internal fan, roller, belt, motor, heating, or gas-system problem is more likely.