Your washing machine makes a squeaking noise while agitating due to a worn-out or damaged belt, a loose or damaged pulley, or a malfunctioning motor or transmission.
But before verifying these potential causes of your squeaking washing machine, make sure that you have not overloaded your washer. Also, make sure that you have not accidentally trapped any items under the agitator.
So if your laundry routine is interrupted by an annoying squeaking noise coming from your washing machine, you’re not alone!
Many homeowners face this issue and wonder why their washing machine makes such a loud squeal during the agitating cycle.
In this blog post, we will dive into the possible reasons behind this common problem and provide some solutions to help you get back to enjoying peaceful laundry days.
Why Does My Washer Make A Squeaking Noise When Agitating?
It can be a tricky issue to troubleshoot a persistent squeaking noise coming from your washer. However, there’s no need to fret!
In this comprehensive guide, I am going to help you identify the most common causes of washer squeaks and provide effective solutions to help you silence those pesky sounds once and for all.
1. Overloaded Washer
Identifying the source of a squeaking noise in your washer can be a daunting task that eats up valuable time and patience. However, there are some quick checks you can perform to eliminate potential culprits and make the process smoother.
For example, start by asking yourself if you’ve overloaded your washing machine. If you’ve crammed too many clothes inside, the drum will bear more weight than it’s designed for. This will ultimately put undue stress on the belts, pulleys, and other components.
This stress will often manifest as strange sounds originating from your washer during the agitation process. This also includes the squeaky sound that may have caught your attention.
Solution:
If you think your overloaded washer is causing a squeaking noise, then you should remove some of the items to reduce the load on the drum. For this, check the manufacturer’s guidelines to determine the maximum load capacity of your machine.
In case you don’t have access to your user manual, there’s a tried and tested rule of thumb you can follow: only fill your washer with clothes up to about two-thirds of its maximum capacity, leaving some room for the items to move around freely.
Make sure that you don’t exceed this limit in the future. Overloading a washer not only causes undue stress on the machine’s components but can also lead to poor cleaning results and even damage to your clothes.
2. Check If Some Objects Stuck In the Agitator
If you’ve ruled out overloading as the cause of your washer’s squeaking noise, it’s worth considering other factors or reasons.
As many of you know, the agitator is a separate component attached to the back or bottom of the drum with a bolt. Thus leaving a small gap between the two surfaces i.e, the agitator and the drum’s base.
Sometimes during the agitating cycle, small objects can become lodged in this gap. Thus causing the agitator and drum to grind against these objects and produce an unpleasant loud squeaking sound.
Fortunately, you can solve this issue quite easily. You can free the stuck object by removing the agitator. By doing so, you can successfully eliminate the source of the noise and restore your washer to its normal, quiet operation.
FAQs – Why Is My Washing Machine Squeaking?
What is the agitating cycle in a washing machine?
The agitating cycle in a washing machine is the process to scrub and clean the clothes. During this cycle, water and detergent are added to the drum, and the agitator rotates to create a vigorous back-and-forth motion, causing the clothes to rub against each other to loosen and remove dirt and stains.
The agitating cycle typically lasts for several minutes, after which the water drains and the machine moves on to the rinsing and spinning cycles.
How do I know if my washing machine agitator is broken?
If your washing machine’s agitator is broken, you may notice several signs of malfunctioning. Here are some indications that your washing machine agitator is broken:
- Lack of movement: If the agitator fails to move during the washing cycle, it could be a sign of a broken agitator.
- Excessive noise: A malfunctioning agitator may produce excessive noise during the washing cycle. You may hear banging, rattling, or scraping sounds.
- Clothes not getting clean: If your clothes are not coming out clean after a wash cycle, it may be due to a broken agitator that is unable to properly agitate the clothes.
- Agitator not staying in place: If the agitator moves easily or comes loose from its mounting bolt, it is a sign that it’s broken or damaged.
Is the agitator supposed to be loose?
No, the agitator in a washing machine is not supposed to be loose. The agitator must be securely attached to the washing machine’s drum with a mounting bolt. A loose agitator can cause several problems, including excessive noise during the washing cycle and ineffective cleaning of clothes.
If you notice that the agitator is loose, it’s essential to tighten it immediately to prevent any further damage to the machine.
Why is my washer making a screeching noise during the spin?
A screeching noise during the spin cycle of a washing machine can be caused by several factors:
- Objects stuck in the drum: Small objects such as coins, buttons, or debris can become trapped in the drum, causing a screeching noise during the spin cycle.
- Worn-out belt: Over time, the belt that connects the washing machine’s motor to the drum can become worn out and stretched, causing a screeching noise during the spin cycle.
- Faulty bearings: The bearings on the drum or motor of the washing machine can become damaged or worn out, causing a screeching or grinding noise during the spin cycle.
- Loose or damaged pulleys: A loose or damaged pulley can cause the belt to slip or rub against other components, producing a screeching noise.
Why is my washing machine making a high-pitched noise?
If you hear a high-pitched noise while your washing machine is filling up with water, it could be due to excessive water pressure. To resolve the issue, you can attempt to adjust the hot and cold water valves that supply water to the washer. By doing so, you can reduce the water pressure and potentially eliminate the noise.
