Washer Guide
Why Is My Washing Machine Making a Grinding Noise?
A grinding noise from a washer is one of those sounds you shouldn't run through another few cycles. It usually means metal-on-metal contact somewhere, and ignoring it tends to turn a small repair into a big one.
Common causes
- Worn drum (tub) bearings — a grinding or rumbling that gets louder during spin.
- A failing drive motor or, on direct-drive models, the rotor and stator.
- A coin, button, or underwire trapped in the drum or pump.
- A worn drive belt or pulley on belt-driven machines.
Check the easy one first
Before assuming the worst, check the drum for trapped objects and clean out the drain-pump filter — a lodged coin grinding against the drum is a common and cheap fix. If the noise is loudest during the high-speed spin and the drum has play when you rock it by hand, the bearings are the likely cause and that's a job for a technician.
Rather have a pro handle it?
Our technicians repair this across Toronto and the GTA — same-day in many cases, with clear pricing and a warranty on the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep using a washer that grinds?+
It's risky. Worn bearings can fail completely and damage the drum or seal, turning an affordable repair into a much larger one. Best to get it looked at promptly.