Troubleshooting a Noisy Wash Cycle in a Dishwasher

Open the dishwasher and allow the steam to escape. Once the fog clears, you can rearrange the dishes to see if they are knocking against each other.

Pull the bottom rack out, so you can see the floor of the dishwasher. Look for utensils or lids that may be trapped by the spray arm. Remove any loose objects from the bottom of the dishwasher.

Move dishes on the outside edge of the bottom rack inward an inch or 2. The spray arm can knock against dishes on the rack.

Flip over any plastic items that may be moving around as the water hits them. Push down on any item that seems loose to prevent it from shifting positions.

Pour 1 quart of water into the bed of the dishwasher if you hear a squealing noise. This should only be necessary if the appliance is new.

Remove the bottom rack after the dishwasher has finished and is cool. Unscrew the spray arm and lift it up off the center bar. Look under the arm for debris such as silverware, broken glass or food. Some units have removable filters and baskets under the spray arm; take them out and rinse them under running water.