Miele Dishwasher: noisy operation

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Experiencing a noisy operation from your Miele dishwasher? If you hear grinding, humming, rattling, or buzzing sounds during wash, drain, or fill cycles, it’s likely due to common issues such as spray arm obstructions or debris in the drain pump. Understanding these symptoms can help you troubleshoot effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Miele Models

  • Miele support specifically advises cleaning drain pump and non‑return valve for grinding noises and checking spray arm obstruction.

Possible Causes

Spray arm obstruction or damaged spray arm

How to Identify: Knocking or thumping noises, noise changes when racks are rearranged and spray arms hitting dishes.

Part: Spray arms

Debris in drain pump or foreign objects

How to Identify: Grinding or rattling noises during wash; foreign objects like glass or pits identified when cleaning pump area.

Part: Drain pump and non-return valve

Worn wash pump motor bearings or circulation pump issues

How to Identify: Humming, growling sound increasing through cycle; reduced water pressure.

Part: Wash pump motor/circulation pump

Faulty drain pump

How to Identify: Buzzing or grinding specifically during drain portion of cycle and slow or poor drainage.

Part: Drain pump

Loose internal components or improper leveling

How to Identify: Vibration noise that changes when dishwasher load or surface tilt changes.

Part: Internal mounting/leveling hardware

Water inlet valve issues

How to Identify: Buzzing or humming during fill only and slow fill times.

Part: Water inlet valve

DIY Solutions

Inspect and Clear Spray Arms

Easy 10–20 minutes
Tools Needed: None
  1. Open dishwasher and remove racks to access spray arms.
  2. Spin spray arms manually and clear any debris obstructing rotation.
  3. Reposition dishes so arms can rotate freely and reassemble racks.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure dishwasher is off before rearranging load.

Clean Drain Pump and Non‑Return Valve

Moderate 20–30 minutes
Tools Needed: Gloves, Small container, Towel
  1. Disconnect dishwasher from power.
  2. Remove filter assembly.
  3. Access drain pump area and non‑return valve.
  4. Remove foreign objects and rinse valve components.
  5. Reassemble and run a short cycle to test noise reduction.
⚠️ Safety First: Be cautious of sharp debris like glass.

Level and Secure Unit

Moderate 15–30 minutes
Tools Needed: Level, Wrench or screwdriver
  1. Check that dishwasher is level front‑to‑back and side‑to‑side.
  2. Adjust leveling feet accordingly.
  3. Ensure mounting brackets are secure to cabinetry.
  4. Run cycle to verify vibration noise reduced.
⚠️ Safety First: Turn off power before adjusting mounting hardware.

Professional Repairs

Replace Wash/Circulation Pump or Motor

Estimated Cost: $200–$500

Replace Drain Pump

Estimated Cost: $150–$300

Replace Water Inlet Valve

Estimated Cost: $100–$250

When to Call a Professional

Noise persists after DIY cleaning and checks
Signs of motor or pump wear (deep hum or growl)
Electrical or mechanical faults indicated by error codes

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean filters and spray arms: Noise due to debris blocking rotation or flow
    Frequency: monthly
  • Check dishwasher level: Vibration noise due to uneven installation
    Frequency: quarterly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Miele Dishwasher noisy operation?
Common causes include spray arm obstructions, debris in the drain pump, or worn motor bearings.
How do I fix Miele Dishwasher noisy operation myself?
Inspect spray arms for debris, clean the drain pump, or ensure the unit is level.
How much does it cost to fix noisy operation?
Repair costs range from $100 for a water inlet valve to $500 for a circulation pump.
When should I call a technician for noisy operation?
If DIY fixes don't resolve the issue, or if the noise persists, contact a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

65%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Debris or food particles obstructing the spray arm or pump impeller
  • Worn or damaged motor bearings causing excessive noise
  • Loose or damaged components such as the dishwasher door or internal parts

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Inspect and clean the spray arms and pump impeller. Remove the non-return valve to access and check for any obstructions. Ensure that the spray arms can rotate freely.

  2. Check the motor bearings for wear. If they are worn out, replace the motor assembly. This may require disassembling parts of the dishwasher.

  3. Inspect all internal components for loose screws or damaged parts. Tighten or replace as necessary to reduce noise.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Miele Dishwasher - Disruptive Noise During Wash Cycle

Community Discussions

disruptive noise during wash cycle

Remove the non-return valve to access the pump impeller and check for obstructions.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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