The short answer
Most noise from an Ellipse washer is a load, a mounting or something loose rather than a failing component, and here the ranking starts with an unbalanced load thumping through the spin, then a machine out of level, walking under spin. It is a small-format unit with a shallow cabinet and a light-duty mechanism, which is what puts those two at the top.
What you actually observe
- A bang or thump that only happens during the spin — Noise tied to the spin is balance, suspension or something loose in the tub.
- A squeal as the drum starts moving that fades once it is up to speed — A noise at starting only is a drive noise and nothing else behaves that way.
- NEAR MISS: the noise comes with water on the floor — A leak changes the order of work and the leak page covers it.
The causes, most likely first on this brand
- An unbalanced load thumping through the spin — A single heavy item, or a duvet gathered on one side, puts the drum out of balance and the machine bangs its way through every attempt to spin. Ranked first on an Ellipse washer: a light cabinet has too little mass to absorb an out-of-balance load and it simply moves instead.
- A machine out of level, walking under spin — A washer resting on three feet, or standing on a floor that flexes, converts spin vibration into a walk across the room and a noise that fills the house. Ranked second on an Ellipse washer: a light machine on a hard floor slides rather than staying put once it is out of balance.
- Coins, buttons or underwire loose in the drum or the pump — Small hard objects work through the drum into the space around it, and every spin throws them against the outer tub with a noise out of all proportion to their size. Ranked third on an Ellipse washer: anything hard that leaves a pocket ends up in the tub eventually.
- A glazed or slipping drive belt — A belt that has hardened or picked up a glaze squeals as the drum starts turning and goes quiet once it is up to speed, which is the single most recognisable washer noise there is. Ranked fourth on an Ellipse washer: a belt is a rubber part under load and rubber under load eventually glazes.
Check in this order, and why this order
- Open the machine and look at how the load is sitting — One heavy item on its own is the classic version of this and it is visible in seconds.
- Rock the machine gently at each front corner — Any movement at all is the answer, and it explains both the noise and the walking.
- Turn the empty drum slowly by hand and listen for something sliding — An object moving with the drum rather than with the cycle is what you are listening for.
What an owner can safely check
- Redistribute the load by hand and add smaller items to balance it — Wash a single heavy item with a couple of towels rather than on its own.
About 10 min
- Wind the feet down until no corner rocks, then lock them — Check it loaded as well as empty; a floor that flexes shows up only under weight.
Tools: spirit level, spannerAbout 20 min
- Empty the drum, reach around the baffles and check the pump filter — Expect to find several things rather than one.
Tools: torch, glovesAbout 25 min
- STOP HERE if the next step needs a meter on live terminals or a panel off — That is where an owner check ends and a service call begins.
Before you open anything
Safety
Unplug the machine or switch off its breaker before reaching into a drum, a pump housing or behind a panel: the drum and the pump impeller can both turn under power. Never defeat a lid or door interlock to watch the drum move.
When to call a technician
Call once the load, the level, the drum and the pump filter are all clean and the noise remains, because what is left is a bearing, a belt or suspension and all of them mean a panel off. Call sooner if the drum has visible play, if the machine moves violently enough to pull at its hoses, or if you can smell anything hot.
Nearest pages of this class
What this page does not cover
This page covers the Ellipse washer as a class, not one family or model line. Drive arrangements, pump fitments, hose routing and part numbers all differ from build to build and are deliberately not here.
Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
