Why Is My Siemens Washing Machine Making a Loud Noise?
Check the drum for loose items such as coins or bra wires by rotating it by hand and removing any objects found — this resolves the fault in a large proportion of cases (takes about 5 minutes).
Fault description
A loud noise from your Siemens washing machine is one of the more unsettling faults you can encounter, but it is also one of the more common ones. The noise can take several forms — a rhythmic banging, a harsh grinding or scraping sound, or a low rumbling that gets worse during the spin cycle. Each pattern points to a different part of the machine.
In most cases the fault lies in the drum area: either something is caught between the drum and the cabinet, the load is unbalanced, or a mechanical component such as a bearing or shock absorber has worn out. The washing machine may still complete its cycle, but ignoring the noise can lead to more serious damage over time.
Working through the checks below in order will help you identify the source quickly without needing specialist tools for the early steps.
Causes
- Foreign object trapped in the drum or pump — Coins, bra underwires, buttons, and small clips can slip through the door seal gap and become lodged between the drum and the outer tub, or travel into the drain pump. These items create a rattling or scraping noise that is often loudest during the spin cycle.
- Unbalanced or overloaded drum — A single heavy item like a duvet or a tightly balled-up sheet can cause the drum to spin unevenly, producing a loud thumping or banging noise. The machine may also vibrate excessively and move across the floor.
- 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 loud rumbling or roaring noise that increases with spin speed. You may also notice a slight wobble when you spin the drum by hand.
- Damaged or worn shock absorbers — Shock absorbers dampen the movement of the drum during the spin cycle. When one or more lose their resistance, the drum can knock heavily against the cabinet, especially at high spin speeds.
- Loose or worn drive belt — The drive belt connects the motor to the drum pulley. A belt that has stretched, cracked, or slipped can produce a squealing or slapping noise during operation, particularly as the drum accelerates.
- Worn or seized motor brushes — Carbon motor brushes wear down over time and can cause a harsh grinding or buzzing noise when the motor struggles to maintain contact. This is more common on older Siemens models with brushed motors.
Step-by-Step Fix
- 1
Check for foreign objects in the drum
Open the door and rotate the drum slowly by hand, listening and feeling for any scraping or rattling. Run your hand around the inside of the door seal, pulling back the rubber lip to check for trapped items. Remove anything you find before running the machine again.
- 2
Redistribute or reduce the load
If the noise occurs mid-cycle, pause the programme and open the door. Rearrange the laundry so it is spread evenly around the drum rather than bunched on one side. If the machine is overloaded, remove some items — a typical Siemens washing machine should not be packed beyond roughly 80% of its rated capacity.
- 3
Check that the machine is level and stable
Place a spirit level on top of the machine and check it front-to-back and side-to-side. Adjust the levelling feet by turning them clockwise to raise or anticlockwise to lower until the machine sits flat. Make sure all four feet are in firm contact with the floor and tighten the locking nuts.
- 4
Inspect and clean the drain 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 coins, debris, or damage to the pump impeller visible inside the housing. Refit the filter firmly when done.
- 5
Test the drum bearings
With the machine empty and unplugged, open the door and grip the drum at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions. Try to rock it up and down — a small amount of play is normal, but noticeable movement or a rough, gritty feeling when you spin the drum by hand suggests the bearings are worn. A rumbling noise that worsens at higher spin speeds is a strong confirming sign.
- 6
Inspect the shock absorbers and drive belt
This step requires removing the back or front panel of the machine — consult your model's service diagram before proceeding. With the panel off, visually inspect the shock absorbers for oil leaks or broken mountings, and check the drive belt for cracks, fraying, or slack. Replace any component that shows visible wear.
- 7
Check the motor brushes
On models with a brushed motor, the carbon brushes can be accessed once the back panel is removed. Brushes shorter than approximately 5 mm are considered worn and should be replaced as a pair. Worn brushes are a straightforward and inexpensive repair that can restore quiet motor operation.
When to call a service technician
If you have worked through all the steps above and the loud noise persists, or if you identified worn drum bearings during step 5, it is time to contact a service technician. Bearing replacement requires the machine to be largely dismantled and the outer tub separated — this is not a practical DIY repair for most homeowners and carries a risk of further damage if done incorrectly.
You should also call a technician immediately if the noise is accompanied by burning smell, visible sparking, water leaking from the back of the machine, or if the drum has stopped rotating altogether. These signs suggest a more serious electrical or mechanical failure that needs professional diagnosis.
Prevention
Keeping your Siemens washing machine running quietly comes down to a few consistent habits. Always check pockets before loading — coins and small metal objects are the leading cause of drum and pump damage. Avoid regularly washing single heavy items on their own, and use a mesh laundry bag for underwired bras to prevent wires from escaping into the drum gap. Servicing the levelling feet once a year and ensuring the machine sits on a firm, flat surface will also reduce vibration-related wear on the shock absorbers and bearings.
The parts most commonly replaced for this fault are the drum bearings and bearing seal kit, the shock absorbers, and the drive belt. Genuine Siemens-compatible versions of these parts are available below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to keep using my Siemens washing machine if it is making a loud noise?
It depends on the cause. A noise caused by an unbalanced load or a small foreign object is unlikely to cause immediate harm, but you should resolve it promptly. A grinding noise from worn bearings or a banging from failed shock absorbers will worsen with use and can eventually damage the outer tub or drum shaft, turning a moderate repair into a much more expensive one.
My Siemens washing machine is loud only during the spin cycle — what does that mean?
Noise that appears specifically during spin, and gets louder as the speed increases, is a strong indicator of worn drum bearings. The bearings are under the most load at high spin speeds. A thumping noise during spin that is less speed-dependent is more likely to be an unbalanced load or a failing shock absorber.
How long do drum bearings last on a Siemens washing machine?
Drum bearings typically last between 7 and 12 years depending on usage frequency, load sizes, and water hardness. Running the machine consistently overloaded or with very heavy items can shorten bearing life significantly. Using the correct amount of detergent also helps, as excess suds can degrade the bearing seal over time.
Can I replace the drum bearings myself?
Technically yes, but it is a complex job that involves dismantling most of the machine and, on many Siemens models, splitting the welded outer tub. Unless you are confident with appliance repair and have the correct tools, this job is best left to a service technician. Incorrect reassembly can cause water leaks or further mechanical damage.
Why does my Siemens washing machine make a noise when it is empty but not when it is loaded?
This is sometimes caused by a loose counterweight — the concrete or plastic blocks bolted to the outer tub to stabilise it. If a mounting bolt has worked loose, the counterweight can rattle when the drum moves freely but be dampened by the weight of laundry during a normal load. Check the counterweight bolts and retighten them if they have any movement.