Washing machine making a loud noise when spinning? What it means

Quiet on the wash, then a racket the moment it hits the spin. A noisy spin covers everything from a coin in the wrong place to worn drum bearings, which is why it has the widest price range of any washing machine fault we see. Noisy when spinning is around 16% of our recent repairs. Here's how to work out which end of that range you're looking at.

Check the simple things first

Something trapped is the obvious one. A coin, an underwire or a button caught between the drum and the outer tub rattles and grinds exactly like a mechanical fault. Our guide on coins and keys stuck in a washing machine covers getting them out.

While you're there, check the machine is level. One that rocks will bang and walk across the floor on a fast spin, so make sure all four feet are down and locked. If it's a new or recently moved machine, look for the transit bolts in the back. Left in, they make a horrible noise, and they have to come out. And don't cram the drum. Stuff it too full and it can't balance the load, so it thumps as it tries.

What the noise is telling you

Rule those out and the noise usually points one of two ways.

A deep rumble or a grinding that gets worse over a few weeks is the sign of worn drum bearings. This is the bigger job, because it means splitting the drum to reach them, and it's why the price band on this fault runs high.

A buzz, a hot smell, or a spin that's lost its power more often means the motor carbon brushes. They wear down over years of use and are among the parts we replace most. Caught early, new brushes can save the motor.

What it costs

Because it stretches from a trapped coin to a bearing change, this one runs £80 to £210 depending on what turns up, with any parts quoted separately and the price confirmed before work. If it's bearings on an older, cheap machine, we'll tell you straight whether it's worth doing.

Book a washing machine repair

If it's grinding or rumbling and there's nothing trapped, book a washing machine repair or find your local washing machine engineer.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my washing machine so loud on the spin?

Once you've ruled out a trapped object, an unlevel machine and overloading, a grinding rumble usually means worn drum bearings, and a buzzing or gutless spin often means worn motor carbon brushes.

Is it safe to keep using it?

A trapped object or a bit of imbalance is fine to sort and carry on. A grinding that's getting worse isn't. Keep running it and you can damage the drum and shaft further.

How much does it cost?

Anywhere from £80 to £210 depending on the cause, from lifting out a trapped item to a full bearing change, with parts quoted separately.

Are bearings worth replacing?

On a good machine, often yes. On an old budget one, a bearing job can get close to the price of a new machine, so we'll give you a straight answer before you commit.