Maytag dishwasher noise: Maytag dishwashers (Whirlpool-made) have the same chopper blade system as Whirlpool. Grinding during wash = check the chopper. Maytag's PowerBlast cycle uses a more aggressive pump speed that creates louder wash noise than standard cycles - this is normal for PowerBlast.
Maytag builds their dishwashers like tanks, which honestly means they're rarely the quietest units on the block. While a Bosch whispers, a Maytag with a hard food disposer will roar during the grind cycle. If you hear sudden metallic screeching, that's usually a chicken bone or a toothpick jammed in the chopper blade. Don't ignore it. That chopper can chew right through your pump housing if you keep running it.
When a Maytag starts making noise, I always ask if it's constant or rhythmic. Rhythmic thumping every few seconds? That's almost always a spray arm hitting a misplaced plate. Continuous high-pitched whine that gets worse as the cycle runs? We're probably looking at pump bearings giving up the ghost. Most of these fixes are totally doable at home with basic tools and about an hour.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Foreign object caught in pump or drum40%
Worn drum bearing allowing shaft play24%
Loose drum roller or idler pulley14%
Loose counterweight or mounting bolt12%
Drive belt worn and slapping during operation10%
Symptoms You May Notice
Loud grinding or crunching that kicks in right when the main wash pump pressurizes, usually within the first 2-3 minutes of the cycle starting.
Rhythmic thumping every few seconds, steady as a metronome, while the machine is mid-cycle like something's getting smacked on every rotation.
High-pitched whining or squealing that starts low and climbs in intensity as the cycle runs, not the normal motor hum, this one's actually kind of painful to listen to from the next room.
Dishes coming out with gritty residue or food still stuck on them alongside the noise, which tells you the pump's fighting something and not generating full pressure.
Machine stops mid-cycle or keeps trying to restart, sometimes with the Clean light flashing, because the motor's overloading trying to push past a blockage.
Can you reset a Maytag dishwasher to clear the NOISE code?
Flip the circuit breaker for five full minutes, not just 30 seconds. Give the control board capacitors time to fully discharge. Restore power, then run a short Rinse Only cycle. Listen during fill, main wash, and drain phases separately. If the noise is gone you're good. If it comes back, the reset just cleared a logic glitch and the underlying mechanical issue still needs to be dealt with.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriverTorx T15 screwdriverFlashlightMultimeterNeedle-nose pliersOld towels or a small bucket
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range4–6 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to fix a noisy Maytag dishwasher?
Depends completely on what's causing it. If it's just a chicken bone stuck in the chopper, you're looking at a service call fee, maybe $75-$100, or zero dollars if you dig it out yourself in 15 minutes. A drain pump replacement runs about $80-$150 for the part plus an hour of your time if you DIY it. If the main circulation pump motor is shot, the part alone can run $150-$200, and with labor you're at $300-$400 total. Spray arm bearing replacement is way cheaper, like $15-$30 for the part.
Is the loud noise during the PowerBlast cycle normal?
Actually yes, for the most part. PowerBlast runs the pump at a significantly higher speed than a normal wash cycle, and Maytag machines aren't engineered for quiet the way a Bosch or Miele is. If the PowerBlast noise started suddenly and the machine used to be quieter on that cycle, that's a different story and something's changed. But if it's always been louder on PowerBlast? That's just how the cycle works.
Should I repair or replace my Maytag dishwasher?
If it's under eight years old, almost always worth fixing. Maytag machines have seriously heavy-duty motors and tub construction that outlasts the cheaper brands, so getting another 5-7 years out of a repaired unit is completely realistic. If the machine's over ten years old and the circulation motor is shot and the door gasket is also leaking, then yeah, it's probably time to shop. But a single repair on an otherwise healthy machine? Fix it every time.
Can I fix a noisy Maytag dishwasher myself?
Most noise issues are genuinely DIY-able. Clearing the chopper, cleaning the filter, removing drain pump debris, all of that is accessible from inside the tub or through the lower kick panel. You need a Torx T15 driver, a Phillips #2, and a flashlight. The one job I'd honestly say to hire out is a full circulation pump motor replacement if you've never done it before, because there are a lot of water connections and it's easy to create a slow drip leak if you don't seat the inlet hose perfectly.
My Maytag makes a squealing sound that gets worse over time. What is it?
That's a bearing noise, almost certainly the circulation pump motor bearing starting to fail. This is a slow death, meaning the machine will keep working for a while but it's going to get progressively louder until the motor seizes up mid-cycle. I replaced three of these just last month, it's super common on machines that are 7-10 years old and have run hard. Don't wait too long or you'll end up with a seized pump and potentially water all over your kitchen floor.
The noise only happens during the drain cycle. What is causing that?
That's your drain pump, not the wash pump. Classic symptom of something small bouncing around inside the impeller housing. Coins are the number one culprit because they get left in pockets and somehow make it through the filter. Also seen small pebbles from garden vegetables, broken glass chips, and once a small game piece. Pull the lower kick panel, disconnect the drain pump, and check the impeller cavity. Usually a 20-minute job and the fix costs you nothing if you already own a screwdriver.
Same Fix Works on These Brands
Maytag shares the same hardware platform with these brands. The diagnosis and repair steps are identical.