My Kenmore Dishwasher Whines Loudly While Running

Drain Valve/Pump

• A surging or whining sound could be coming from water draining out of the dishwasher and through the drain valve. If the noise is particularly loud, the drain valve may be full of debris or residue. Wait until the dishwasher is completely finished with the cycle, then inspect the drain valve. Use a damp cloth to wipe away any debris, residue or other obstructions from the valve.

Water Valve/Pump

• You may hear a whining or hissing sound when the water valve opens and closes during the cycles. If this sound is particularly loud or doesn’t stop after a few minutes, the water valve may have an obstruction making it difficult for it to operate as normal. The valve, located at the bottom right of the dishwasher tub, may need to be cleaned of any residue. If you notice the valve is defective in any way, you may need to contact Kenmore to have the part replaced.

Filtration System

• Dishwashers have a filtration system to catch food particles and other debris from the plates and other cookware. Anything caught in the filters can create a loud whining sound to let you know of the problem. If this happens, remove the upper and lower filters from the bottom of the dishwasher and rinse thoroughly to remove all debris. Look for any hard objects scattered around the bottom of the dishwasher tub. These objects could also be interfering with the operation of the dishwasher.

Other Possibilities

• If you don't find anything clogging the filters and the valves/pumps aren’t clogged, the sump pump or transmission may be going out. It's best to have someone from Kenmore look at this for you, especially if you still have an active warranty on your dishwasher.