Why Is My Samsung Washing Machine Making a Loud Noise?
Check the drum for loose items such as coins, bra wires, or buttons trapped between the drum and the door seal, remove any found objects, and run a short spin cycle to confirm the noise has gone (takes about 5 minutes).
Fault description
A loud noise from your Samsung washing machine is one of the most common faults reported across the range. The sound can appear at different points in the cycle — during the main wash, the rinse, or most noticeably during the spin — and it can range from a rhythmic banging to a continuous grinding or rattling. The character of the noise is a useful clue: banging often points to an unbalanced load or worn drum bearings, while grinding or scraping usually suggests a foreign object or a failing component in the motor or drum assembly.
In most cases the washing machine will still complete its cycle, but ignoring the noise risks turning a minor issue into a more expensive repair. The drum, bearings, drive belt, and shock absorbers are the systems most likely to be involved. Working through the checks below in order will help you identify the cause without needing specialist tools.
Causes
- Foreign object trapped in the drum or filter — Coins, bra underwires, buttons, and small clips can slip through the drum holes and become lodged between the drum and the outer tub or inside the pump filter. This produces a rattling or scraping noise that is often loudest during the spin phase.
- Unbalanced or overloaded drum — A load that is too heavy, too light, or unevenly distributed causes the drum to move erratically at high spin speeds, producing a loud thumping or banging. This is especially common with single heavy items like duvets or towels washed alone.
- Worn drum bearings — The rear drum bearings allow the inner drum to spin smoothly. When they wear out — usually after several years of use — they produce a deep rumbling or grinding noise that gets louder as the spin speed increases. You may also notice the drum feels rough or wobbly when turned by hand.
- Worn or damaged drive belt — The drive belt transfers power from the motor to the drum. A belt that has become frayed, stretched, or cracked can produce a squealing or slapping noise during the wash and spin cycles.
- Faulty or worn shock absorbers — Shock absorbers dampen drum movement during the spin. When they weaken or fail, the drum can knock heavily against the cabinet, creating a loud banging noise particularly at the start and end of the spin cycle.
- Worn motor brushes — Brushed motors use carbon brushes that wear down over time. Worn brushes can cause a harsh scraping or intermittent rumbling noise and may also result in the machine struggling to reach full spin speed.
Step-by-Step Fix
- 1
Check for loose items inside the drum
Before anything else, open the door and run your hand around the inside of the drum, paying close attention to the rubber door seal. Pull back the folds of the seal and look for coins, wires, or small objects lodged there. Remove anything you find, then run a short spin cycle to see if the noise has stopped.
- 2
Clean the pump filter
The pump filter is usually located behind a small panel at the bottom front of the machine. Place a shallow tray and a towel underneath, then unscrew the filter cap slowly to drain residual water. Remove the filter completely and check for trapped debris such as coins or clips. Rinse the filter under a tap, refit it firmly, and run a cycle to test.
- 3
Redistribute or reduce the load
If the noise only occurs during the spin, stop the machine, open the door, and rearrange the laundry so it is spread evenly around the drum. Avoid washing single heavy items on their own — add a couple of towels to balance the load. Restart the spin and listen for improvement.
- 4
Check that the machine is level and stable
A washing machine that rocks on an uneven floor will amplify drum movement into a loud banging noise. Use a spirit level on top of the machine and adjust the levelling feet at the base by turning them clockwise or anticlockwise until the machine sits firmly without rocking. Lock the feet in place with the locking nuts.
- 5
Inspect the drum for roughness or wobble
With the machine unplugged, open the door and try rotating the drum by hand. It should turn smoothly and quietly. If you feel resistance, hear a grinding sound, or notice the drum has noticeable side-to-side play, the rear bearings are likely worn. This is a more involved repair — see the technician section below.
- 6
Inspect the drive belt
With the machine unplugged and the back panel removed, locate the drive belt running around the drum pulley and motor. Look for signs of fraying, cracking, or the belt sitting off-track. A damaged belt should be replaced with the correct part for your model. If the belt looks intact but the noise persists, move on to checking the shock absorbers.
- 7
Check the shock absorbers
The shock absorbers are attached between the outer tub and the machine frame. With the machine unplugged and the front or back panel removed depending on your model, push down on the drum and release it — it should return smoothly without bouncing. If it bounces freely or you can see oil leaking from a shock absorber, the units need replacing.
When to call a service technician
If you have worked through all the steps above and the noise persists, or if you identified worn drum bearings during the hand-rotation test, it is time to contact a service technician. Bearing replacement requires the drum to be fully dismantled, which is a complex job that carries a risk of further damage if attempted without experience. The same applies if the motor brushes or motor itself appear to be the source of the noise.
You should also call a service technician immediately if the machine is vibrating violently enough to move across the floor, if you can smell burning during the cycle, or if the drum has stopped turning altogether. These signs suggest the fault has progressed beyond a straightforward repair.
Prevention
The parts most commonly replaced when a Samsung washing machine develops a loud noise are the drum bearings (and associated drum seal), the drive belt, and the shock absorbers. Keeping a note of your model number before you search makes it much easier to find the correct parts, as specifications vary across the Samsung range.
To reduce the risk of noise faults developing, always check pockets before loading the machine, avoid consistently overloading the drum, and run a monthly drum-clean cycle to prevent build-up that can put extra strain on moving parts. Checking and cleaning the pump filter every two to three months also helps prevent debris from reaching the pump.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Samsung washing machine make a loud noise only during the spin cycle?
Noise that appears specifically during the spin is most often caused by an unbalanced load, worn drum bearings, or failing shock absorbers. At high spin speeds, any weakness in these components becomes much more noticeable. Try redistributing the load first — if the noise continues on a balanced load, the bearings or shock absorbers are the likely culprits.
Is it safe to keep using my washing machine if it is making a loud noise?
It depends on the cause. A rattling from a trapped coin is unlikely to cause immediate damage, but worn bearings or shock absorbers will worsen over time and can eventually damage the outer tub or drum. It is best to identify and fix the cause promptly rather than continuing to run the machine and risk a more expensive repair.
My Samsung washing machine makes a grinding noise — what does that mean?
A grinding noise usually points to worn drum bearings or a foreign object caught between the drum and the tub. Try the foreign object check first as it is quick and free. If the drum feels rough or gritty when you turn it by hand with the machine unplugged, the bearings have worn and will need replacing by a service technician.
How long do washing machine drum bearings last?
On average, drum bearings last between eight and twelve years depending on how frequently the machine is used and whether it is regularly overloaded. Using the correct load sizes and avoiding consistently high spin speeds can help extend their lifespan. Once bearings start to rumble, they tend to deteriorate fairly quickly, so it is worth acting on the noise early.
Could a loud banging noise mean my Samsung washing machine needs a new drum?
A banging noise alone rarely means the drum itself needs replacing. The drum is a robust component and is usually fine — it is the parts around it, such as the bearings, shock absorbers, or drive belt, that wear out first. A service technician can confirm whether the drum is damaged during a bearing replacement inspection.