GE dishwasher makes grinding, humming, knocking or squealing noises: GE's troubleshooting table for the Profile PDT785 lists what is normal, with no action needed: beeping at the end of a cycle, the detergent cup opening, water entering, the motor stopping and starting at various times, spray arms starting and stopping, the drain pump sounding during pump out and starting and stopping several times each drain. Real noise problems are rattling dishes when the spray arm turns (reload properly) and silverware rattling against the door (put tall utensils in the upper rack). Items protruding through the rack bottom block the middle spray arm and cause noise.
Differential
Likely causes of “GE dishwasher makes grinding, humming, knocking or squealing noises”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Normal operating sounds
What separates it Beeps, a click as the detergent cup opens, water entering and the motor and pump starting and stopping
How to confirm GE lists all of these as normal; no action is needed
- 2
Dishes rattling as the spray arm turns
What separates it A rhythmic clatter as the arm sweeps past loose items
How to confirm Make sure dishes are properly loaded and secured
- 3
Silverware bumping the inner door
What separates it There is a rattle near the door during the wash because silverware is bumping the inner door
How to confirm Place tall utensils in the upper rack, away from the inner door
- 4
Items protruding through the bottom of a rack
What separates it Noise and poor washing as the middle spray arm is blocked
How to confirm Ensure items do not poke through the rack or silverware basket bottom
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which phase the noise occurs in
- Whether the sound stops when the rack is empty
- Whether items protrude below the racks
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedMatch your noise to the normal list
ReversibleBeeping at the end of a cycle, the detergent cup door opening, water entering, the motor and spray arms starting and stopping and the drain pump sounds are normal.
Reload for rattling
ReversibleMake sure dishes are properly loaded so they cannot move when the spray arm rotates. Tilt cup and glass openings toward the center.
Move tall utensils
ReversibleTall utensils may be placed in the upper rack to avoid bumping against the inner door during the wash cycle.
Check the rack bottoms
ReversibleEnsure items do not protrude through the bottom of the rack or silverware basket where they block the middle spray arm.
Mute the sounds
ReversibleThe control sounds can be turned off by pressing the Dry Boost pad 5 times within 5 seconds, which quiets beeps but not mechanical noise.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Cycle sounds
- The dishwasher emits a sound to indicate cycle completion, pad presses and door ajar; it beeps once every minute if the door is left open during operation until Start is pressed and the door closed. On some models it beeps twice at the end of the cycle, and the double beep can be turned off or on by pressing the Dry Boost pad 5 times within 3 seconds.
- Parts for this problem on the PDT785 (RepairClinic, 2026-09-21)
- add to cart vent fan motor genuine oem part # wd, part number WD01X25638, at $7.24; high loop drain hose from pump to drain hose ext, part number WD24X27778, at $16.47.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models PDT755, GDP665, GDT670, GDT650, GDF650, GDF510.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a scrape or grind continues with empty racks, contact GE Appliances service
- !If noise comes with LEAK DETECTED or a leak, stop and use the leaking page
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
GE Appliances' own support articles for dishwashers; the article for this page is named in the page's notes.
GE's own page for the Profile PDT785 with its installation guide and specifications.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-21.
Exact questions
Common questions
Are the pump sounds normal?+
Yes. The drain pump sounds during pump out and starts and stops several times during each drain.
Why does the motor stop and start?+
It is normal operation at various times during the cycle.
Why does silverware hit the door?+
Tall utensils can bump the inner door; put them in the upper rack.
Can I turn the beeps off?+
Press the Dry Boost pad 5 times within 5 seconds to mute control sounds.
Is feeling air on my legs normal?+
Yes, do not interrupt the cycle; no action is required.
Is steam normal?+
Warm, moist air through the vent during drying is normal and necessary for drying.