Samsung Dishwasher Making Noise — Diagnostic & Repair Guide

Unusual sounds from your Samsung dishwasher can originate from the Digital Inverter Motor (variable-pitch operation is normal, grinding is not), drain pump DD31-00005A (loud buzzing during drain intervals indicates impeller seizure), WaterWall rail mechanism (sweeping sound is normal, scraping indicates debris on track), or spray arm contact with rack components. Samsung DW-series dishwashers (DW80R, DW80K, DW80J families) feature the Digital Inverter Motor, SmartThings Wi-Fi connectivity, and on premium models the WaterWall linear spray system. When making noise occurs, Samsung's integrated diagnostic systems provide the first line of investigation before any physical disassembly.

Samsung SmartThings Diagnostic

For Wi-Fi enabled models (DW80R series and newer), SmartThings provides critical diagnostic data:

1. Open SmartThings on your phone and select the dishwasher device
2. Navigate to Device Care and select Self Diagnosis
3. The app connects directly to the dishwasher control board and retrieves stored error history
4. Review which cycle phase the problem occurs in — this narrows the responsible component
5. Check whether the issue correlates with specific cycle types (Normal, StormWash, Auto, Quick)

For non-Wi-Fi models, enter Samsung's manual diagnostic mode: with the door closed, press and hold Hi-Temp Wash + Delay Start simultaneously for 3 seconds. The display shows "d" or "tSt" confirming diagnostic mode entry. The unit then tests each subsystem sequentially.

Understanding This Issue on Samsung Dishwashers

Samsung dishwashers experiencing making noise typically involve specific subsystems depending on when during the cycle the problem manifests. The Digital Inverter Motor handles water circulation during wash phases, the drain pump DD31-00005A manages water removal between phases, the heating element controls water temperature and drying, and the control board orchestrates all timing and safety monitoring.

Samsung's error code system identifies the failing subsystem:

• 5E/SE — Drain system failure (water not leaving the tub within 8 minutes)
• LE — Leak detected by the Styrofoam float in the base tray
• HE/HE1 — Heating system failure (element or thermistor)
• 1E — Water supply problem (inlet valve DD62-00084A or low pressure below 20 PSI)
• 3E — Motor communication error (Digital Inverter Motor controller handshake failure)
• 7E — WaterWall motor failure (equipped models only)
• OE — Overflow detection (water level exceeded safe maximum)
• bE — Button or touchpad input stuck (membrane switch issue)

Common Causes When Samsung Dishwasher Shows Making Noise

1. Primary Component Related to This Symptom

The most frequently responsible component for making noise on Samsung dishwashers relates to the subsystem active when the symptom occurs. Samsung's separation of the Digital Inverter wash motor from the drain pump (DD31-00005A) means wash-phase issues and drain-phase issues point to completely different motors — a distinction unique to Samsung's dual-motor architecture.

Samsung's Digital Inverter Motor carries a 5-year parts warranty. If your unit is within this period and the motor is involved, Samsung covers the part. The drain pump, however, has only standard 1-year coverage despite being a separate motor.

Diagnostic approach: Enter diagnostic mode and observe which component test reproduces the symptom behavior. Cross-reference with SmartThings stored error codes for pattern confirmation across multiple occurrences.

Parts Cost: $35–$150 depending on which component Professional Repair Cost: $125–$275

2. Sensor or Control System Issue

Samsung dishwashers use multiple sensors throughout: water level (pressure-based sensor in the sump), temperature (thermistor mounted in the tub), turbidity (food particle density sensor for auto-cycle length determination), and door position (micro-switch inside latch assembly DD81-01629A). An incorrect sensor reading causes the control board to take inappropriate action.

The thermistor measures water temperature for heating element control and cycle phase transitions. At room temperature it should read approximately 50K ohms, decreasing as temperature rises. A drifted thermistor sends incorrect data without triggering an error code — the board simply heats incorrectly based on false readings.

Samsung's turbidity sensor adjusts cycle duration on Auto and Sensor cycles. If it fails or reads incorrectly, Auto cycles may be too short (dishes not clean) or too long (excessive cycle time with no improvement in cleaning).

Parts Cost: $15–$45 Professional Repair Cost: $110–$185

3. Filter System or Drain Path Restriction

Samsung's combined coarse-and-fine mesh filter system captures more debris than self-cleaning macerator systems used by some competing brands. The trade-off: Samsung filters require more frequent owner cleaning. The fine mesh cup (a separate component that lifts out after the coarse cylinder is removed) traps micro-particles effectively but clogs faster than many owners expect.

The coarse filter unlocks with a counterclockwise quarter-turn. The fine mesh cup sits loosely beneath it and lifts straight up. Both sections require cleaning for proper operation. Neglecting the fine mesh cup is the single most common maintenance oversight on Samsung dishwashers.

Restricted drainage from clogged filters affects more than just draining — backpressure reduces spray arm water pressure, compromises cleaning effectiveness, and can trigger multiple seemingly unrelated error conditions. A single filter cleaning often resolves what appeared to be a complex multi-symptom problem.

Parts Cost: $0 (cleaning) or $18–$35 (replacement filter set) Professional Repair Cost: $89–$149

4. Electrical or Control Board Issue

Samsung's DW80 control boards are demonstrably more vulnerable to power surges than boards from several competing manufacturers. Board damage manifests as virtually any symptom depending on which circuit section is affected — a board with damaged relay outputs may fail to activate specific components while the rest of the dishwasher appears functional.

The junction box beneath the unit (accessible behind the lower kick panel: two Phillips screws plus two squeeze-release clips) contains wire nut connections that can loosen from Digital Inverter Motor vibration over years of daily operation. Loose connections cause intermittent power delivery that mimics component failures.

Diagnostic: If symptoms are intermittent (work sometimes, fail other times without clear pattern), electrical connections or board issues are likely. Power cycle (breaker off for 60 seconds) clears temporary errors from volatile board memory and can distinguish between permanent hardware failure and transient software errors.

Parts Cost: $0–$285 depending on whether connections need tightening or board needs replacement Professional Repair Cost: $89–$400

5. Door Latch Assembly — DD81-01629A

Samsung's integrated latch/switch assembly uses a plastic actuator arm that flexes every door open/close. After thousands of cycles, plastic fatigue causes the actuator to crack or deform. The electrical switch portion can fail while the mechanical latch still holds the door closed — this produces a "dead" dishwasher that appears powered but refuses all Start commands.

On models with AutoRelease Door, the latch receives additional mechanical cycling (one extra actuation per wash cycle from the auto-release mechanism), reducing its overall lifespan by approximately 15% compared to non-AutoRelease models.

Diagnostic: Two clicks when door closes = both latch and switch working. One click only = switch failed (door holds shut but board reads "open"). Zero clicks = mechanical latch failed. Replace the complete DD81-01629A assembly — Samsung does not sell the switch separately from the latch housing.

Parts Cost: $35–$65 Professional Repair Cost: $145–$215

Samsung-Specific Maintenance to Prevent This Issue

• Clean both filter sections (coarse cylinder AND fine mesh cup) weekly — more often if you pre-rinse minimally
• Run Samsung's Self Clean function monthly (hold Sanitize + Dry for 3 seconds on DW80R models) to flush grease from internal passages
• Install a dedicated surge protector on the dishwasher circuit — Samsung boards lack robust built-in surge suppression
• Enable AutoRelease Door if your model supports it — venting steam after drying reduces moisture damage to the touchpad and control board
• Use SmartThings to monitor error code frequency trends — catching a developing problem early prevents cascade failures
• Verify proper dishwasher leveling (both front legs firmly on floor, unit level side-to-side) to minimize vibration-induced loosening
• Check upper rack adjuster clips (DD82-01121A) quarterly — they crack with age and when they fail, the dropped rack contacts spray arms causing additional damage

When to Call a Professional

Contact a professional if: SmartThings shows recurring error codes that basic maintenance does not resolve, the diagnostic mode identifies a component failure requiring specialized disassembly, any electrical burning smell accompanies the symptom, or the same issue persists after addressing the most common cause. Samsung's 5-year Digital Inverter Motor warranty may cover motor-related failures — always verify warranty eligibility before paying for motor repairs out of pocket.

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