It’s normal for a washing machine to make noise when running, but it shouldn’t be deafening. If your washer starts squeaking, banging, rumbling, rattling, or sounding like a jet engine, that calls for attention. But why is your washing machine spin cycle very loud?
Your spin cycle is loud due to an unbalanced load, washer overload, loose or trapped items, faulty drain pump, or faulty tub bearings. Other issues include a failing drive belt, worn-out shock absorbers or suspension rods, faulty clutch assembly, or defective motor coupling.
While one of the above is the culprit to why you have a loud annoying spin cycle, this guide will explain all the nine possibilities. The better part is that you can hold that call to the repair man, as most of the causes are DIY-fixable.
But before attempting any repair, ensure you disconnect your washer from power for safety. What’s more, have the proper safety gear, especially safety gloves.
Here we go!
In a hurry? Below is a table with the nine reasons why you have a loud spin cycle and the immediate fixes to attend.
Washing Machine Spin Cycle Very Loud – Quick Troubleshooting Guide
| – | Probable Causes | Fix |
| 1. | Unbalanced Load | Evenly rearrange the laundry |
| 2. | Washer Overload | Remove some laundry and keep the washer ¾ full |
| 3. | Loose or Trapped Items | Remove any trapped items (like coins, jewelry, or keys) under the seal |
| 4. | Faulty Drain Pump | If the drain pump is faulty, replace it |
| 5. | Faulty Tub Bearings | If the rollers and ball of the tub bearings are damaged, replace the bearings |
| 6. | Failing Drive Belt | If the belt is loose, try tightening it. If it’s damaged, replace it |
| 7. | Worn-Out Shock Absorbers Or Suspension Rods | If shock absorbers or suspension rods are damaged or worn out, replace them |
| 8. | Worn-Out Clutch Assembly | Replace the clutch assembly |
| 9. | Defective Motor Coupling | Replace the motor coupling if defective |
Why Is My Washing Machine Spin Cycle Very Loud?
Below are the nine reasons to explain why your washer is very loud during a spin cycle:
1. Unbalanced Load
When you hear a loud banging noise coming from your washer during a spin cycle, the first thing to check is if your load is balanced. Remember, your load should be even in the drum for your washing machine to run smoothly.
Your washer load becomes unbalanced, maybe by putting too many items or loading bulkier items like heavy sheets, curtains, or blankets.
The unbalanced weight causes the drum to swing, hitting the washer’s internal structure, thus making a loud banging sound common during a spin cycle and when the drum spins too fast.
Fix
Stop your washing machine and balance the load. If the load is small, add more laundry and don’t exceed the brim mark.
Also, if you wash bulky items like bedding, curtains, or sheets, you can change the wash program (for example, choose bedding). This ensures the drum turns slowly during the wash cycle preventing the drum from hitting the washer frame.
2. Washer Overload
Sometimes, we want to wash everything in the laundry basket and forget that we should not exceed the washer capacity. When you overload your washing machine, it’s likely to struggle to spin, thus overworking the motor, and eventually, the spin cycle will be too loud.
And when the washer spins, chances of an unbalanced load are unavoidable, resulting in excess vibration. Another drawback of overloading the washer, apart from the noise, is that it can cause damage or bends to other internal washer components, shortening your washer’s lifespan.
Fix
Stop the washer and remove some laundry. Also, ensure you follow your manufacturer’s guidelines on capacity, as most recommend filling your washer to the brim or ¾ full.
3. Loose or Trapped Items
Another cause of loud noise during the spin cycle is loose or trapped items in the washer. Pay attention to the frequency of the noise.
If it’s not persistent, nothing could be wrong. Maybe you’ve put on clothing like a coat that has a metal piece, and it just hits the drum while spinning.
What if the noise is consistent? If so, then something is trapped in the washer. It could be keys, jewelry, or loose change you forgot to check out, and the washer could be spinning them so quickly, thus the cause for the loud noise.
Fix
Stop the washer, and under the seal, check for coins, keys, jewelry, or anything trapped and remove them.
4. Faulty Drain Pump
The drain pump removes waste water during a spin cycle. It may do it several times during each cycle. When your washer is at the end of the spin cycle, the drum spins the fastest to remove moisture from the laundry via the drain pump.
However, when you hear a loud squeaking sound during a wash cycle, it indicates a faulty drain pump. The drain pump has some moving parts that aid in rotating the pump as water drives out.
When these moving parts wear with time or are damaged, the squeaking sound will be hard as the pump will struggle to remove the laundry wastewater.
Fix
Unfortunately, you can’t repair a faulty drain pump. The only easy way out is to replace it (View on Amazon).
5. Faulty Tub Bearings
Your washer has tub bearings on the outer drum back. These bearings consist of balls and rollers that turn round in the metal ring frame. Your washer depends on these bearings to turn the drum quietly and smoothly during a spin cycle.
However, these tub bearings wear out naturally, especially if your washer is old. Other times, if your washer is new, the lifespan of the bearings is shortened by washing heavy loads or using harsh wash detergents (non-HE detergent).
When the rollers and balls wear, your washer won’t run in a smooth motion. They, in turn, will strain, causing a loud grinding noise or what most people call a jet engine-like sound during a spin cycle.
Fix
Replace the tub bearings.
6. Failing Drive Belt
Another component to check is the drive belt. The belt aids in every spin cycle. Over prolonged usage, the belt can weaken (loosen) or crack, and this may lead to loud squealing noise during a spin cycle.
But to conclude and rule out the belt as faulty, you need to turn off the power, remove the top and side panels of your washer, reach the belt connected to the two pulleys, and visually examine it.
Fix
If the belt is loose, try tightening it. But if it has visible damage, replace it. If you also smell burning rubber, have the belt changed.
7. Worn-Out Shock Absorbers or Suspension Rods
Every washing machine drum needs support for smooth spinning without much noise. The support differs according to your washer.
If you have a front-load washing machine, the shock absorbers support the drum, but if you own a top-load washer, the suspension rods do the support.
Thanks to this support, the drum can spin at its highest in perfect balance without making any harmful and disturbing noise.
Unfortunately, the supporters (shock absorbers or suspension rods) may fail due to natural wear or breakage, making your washer bang during spin cycles.
What happens is that the drum will not be duly supported and will have an unbalanced spin due to hitting the washer frame. If unattended, not only will your washer make loud banging noise, but it may cause damage to internal washer components.
Fix
Stop your washer immediately if you hear a loud banging noise, and remove the panels to check the washer support. If worn out, the bad news is that it’s unrepairable, so you need to replace it.
8. Worn-Out Clutch Assembly
The clutch connects the washtub drive and the transmission shift for a smooth spin when the wash cycle is on.
If the clutch wears due to friction, it causes the cycle to run slower, thus producing a scraping sound. At the end of the cycle, your laundry may still be soaking wet due to a slow spin.
Fix
Replace the clutch assembly.
9. Defective Motor Coupling
The motor coupling connects the drive motor to its transmissions. If it’s defective, it causes the washer to make loud noise during spinning.
But how can you figure out a defective motor coupling?
When the coupling weakens or naturally wears out, the two drive forks (one fork that connects to the transmission and the other to the motor) slip off. When this happens, the forks make a rumbling noise when they touch during a spin cycle.
Fix
Change the motor coupling if defective.
New Washing Machine Spin Cycle Very Loud
You must rule out a faulty component if you have a newly bought washing machine that’s so loud during its spin cycle. That means concentrating more on load distribution and capacity.
Check if there’s an overload of the laundry and reduce it to ¾ full, and if the clothes are uneven, evenly distribute them.
And if nothing is wrong with the laundry, check for loose or stuck foreign items like pins an expert.
Sharp Washing Machine Noisy When Spinning
There are different reasons why a Sharp washing machine would make noise when spinning. First, it could be that the clothes are out of balance or overloaded. So, start by checking the clothes, reduce their size if they are excessive, and evenly distribute them if they are out of balance.
If that’s not it, it could be due to trapped foreign items like coins, jewelry, pens, pins, and loose screws. And if that’s not it, it could be due to a defective component like the drive belt, tub bearing, drum roller, or clutch assembly.
Front Load Washing Machine Spin Cycle Very Loud
Your front load washer is loud during a spin cycle due to a washer overload, an unbalanced washer, or moving objects inside the washer.
Other reasons include faulty shock absorbers, defective motor coupling, failing drive belt, or worn-out bearings.
Top Load Washing Machine Spin Cycle Very Loud
Your top load washer is very loud during a spin cycle due to an unbalanced washer, moving items, washer overload, or faulty drain pump.
It could also be due to a failing component like suspension rods, faulty drive belts, worn-out bearings, or defective motor coupling.
People Also Ask
1. How Do You Fix a Noisy Washing Machine When Spinning?
When your washing machine squeals, grinds, rattles, scraps, or sounds like a jet engine during a spin cycle, you can fix the disturbing noise by balancing the load, removing some laundry, or removing trapped items.
If the noise doesn’t disappear, it points to a defective component that needs replacing. The components include the belt, motor coupling, clutch assembly, tub bearings, and drum supporters.
2. Why Is My Spin Cycle So Loud?
Your spin cycle is loud because of an unbalanced load, washer overload, trapped items, faulty drain pump, or a failing belt. It could also be due to faulty tub bearings, worn-out clutch, defective motor coupling, or failing drum supporters.
3. Why Does My Washer Sound Like A Jet Engine?
If there’s something amiss with your washer, it’s likely to produce banging, squeaking, squealing, scraping, or rumbling noise. However, if the noise sounds like a jet engine, then it means that the tub bearings are faulty.
The bearings have inner balls and rollers that move around the metal ring, and if they are damaged, your washer will sound like a jet engine when spinning.
Closing Thoughts on a Washing Machine Spin Cycle Very Loud:
Generally, if you experience loud noise from your washing machine during a wash cycle, the explanation could be an unbalanced load, washer overload, an unleveled washer, or moving objects.
If that’s not it, it could be a faulty component such as the drain pump, drive belt, tub bearings, motor coupling, or clutch assembly. But whatever the case, you can troubleshoot the issue yourself and save on expert costs.
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