Why is my dishwasher whistling?

Many dishwasher users report that their appliances begin to make strange noises over time, specifically whistling. Any unusual sounds are automatically perceived as a signal of a malfunction. Let's try to understand why a dishwasher whistles, whether it's worth paying attention to, and how to deal with these annoying sounds.

The main sources of whistling in PMM

In most cases, a dishwasher's whistling noise does indicate a malfunction within the unit. However, sometimes the whistling noise can simply signal an emergency that requires immediate attention, but is certainly not life-threatening. There are many possible causes for this behavior.

• Aquastop system. Aquastop protects the dishwasher from leaks. If something is wrong, the machine may whistle or beep. However, it's difficult to detect Aquastop activation based on the sound alone. The control panel can help, displaying information about the problem (usually an error code) and other useful information. If the dishwasher isn't protected against leaks by the system, other diagnostic methods will be required.
• Door lock problems. In these cases, the machine doesn't just whistle or beep; it simply refuses to start a wash cycle, and the door doesn't close with a distinctive click. The dishwasher is programmed to only activate programs with the door fully closed; otherwise, it won't work. The only way to eliminate the whistling noise caused by this problem is to replace the door lock.

Important! You can purchase and replace the lock yourself by disassembling the sink's front panel and removing the locking mechanism.

• Clogged filter. The filter element needs to be cleaned periodically. Otherwise, the dishwasher won't draw water properly and will struggle to do so, making strange noises, including a whistling sound. Monitoring the machine while filling can help identify the problem. If water barely flows into the chamber and it's taking a long time, the filter needs to be cleaned, either yourself or by a professional!

How to clean the filter yourself? Turn off the water supply to the dishwasher. Unscrew the inlet hose and remove the filter at its base (near the inlet valve). The filter is a fine mesh; for minor dirt, simply hold it under running water. If water doesn't clear the blockage, you can either manually clean the sieve with a pin or soak it in a citric acid solution for 60 minutes. Solution ratio: 30 g of acid powder per 1 liter of water. Installation is carried out in reverse order.

Additional sources of extraneous noise

If you've read the points above, checked everything, and determined that none of these factors are the cause of your dishwasher's strange whistling noise, you should consider other possible causes. These could include a malfunctioning sensor.

• Code IB0, or 11 blinks of the lights, indicates a turbidity sensor failure. This may be caused by contamination or failure of the sensor. Cleaning or replacing the element resolves the issue.
• ID0, or 13 blinks of the lights, indicates an error with the sensor responsible for the engine rotor rotation. This error may be due to either a burnt-out sensor wiring or a poorly secured sensor (the mount loosens due to constant vibration). Check the sensor's mounting and tighten it if necessary. The sensor wires should be tested with a multimeter (the resistance should change as the rotor rotates). If the wiring is faulty, the sensor will need to be replaced.

Sometimes a dishwasher whistles when it can't fill the chamber with water. The problem could be as simple as a closed tap, which is quite easy to solve, or a lack of water in the filler pipe or in the water supply system in general.

Modern dishwashers are equipped with diagnostic and error code systems for good reason. If the whistling sound is not just random and is related to a malfunction, you'll know about it from the error code if it has a display. You can find the explanation in the user manual.

What should you do on your own in this case?

• Check your network connection.
• Inspect the floor and bottom of the machine for leaks.
• Check for blockages in the pump and filter.
• Make sure there is no overload and that the unit is level.

If nothing helps and you can’t find the cause of the annoying whistling noise, you’ll have to call a specialist who will determine what happened and make repairs at the same time.

   

2 reader comments

1. June 7, 2022 at 10:42 PM

   Olga:

   When washing dishes, a sound similar to the whistling of a cricket is produced and is very loud.

   Answer
   • February 18, 2024 at 1:22 AM

     Andrey:

     Olga, the same thing with PMM KORTING KDI 45985.

     Answer