Kenmore's guide for the 110 top-loader lists noises and their causes. Clicking or metallic noises come from objects caught in the washer drain system (coins can fall between the basket and tub or block the pump, and service may be needed); gurgling or humming is the pump making a continuous hum with periodic gurgling as final water is removed in the Drain Spin cycles; humming can be the load sensing spins; whirring is basket deceleration. Metal snaps, buckles or zippers touching the basket are normal. The front-loader's suspension (2 springs and 4 shock absorbers) reduces noise, and shipping bolts must be removed. Whirlpool's own guidance adds that grinding or rubbing sounds in wash or spin, from a motor alternating direction and gear sounds, are normal.
Differential
Likely causes of “Kenmore 110-series front-load washer makes grinding, squealing, clicking or banging noises”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Normal pump, sensing and deceleration sounds
What separates it There is humming, gurgling and whirring at known moments because of normal pump, sensing and deceleration sounds
How to confirm Compare with the guide, before you act on the sound
- 2
Objects in the drain system
What separates it There is a clicking or metallic noise because of objects in the drain system
How to confirm Empty pockets; call for service if items are trapped
- 3
Shipping bolts not removed
What separates it There is violent noise because the shipping bolts were not removed
How to confirm Remove them, and run the cycle again after that
- 4
An unlevel washer
What separates it The noise worsens with rocking because the washer is unlevel
How to confirm Level it and tighten the feet nuts, and run the spin
- 5
Top-loader (110-series HE, Water Level knob): objects caught in the drain system
What separates it A clicking or metallic noise comes from the drain area
How to confirm Empty pockets before washing, and call for service if loose items fell between the basket and tub
- 6
Top-loader (110-series HE, Water Level knob): a normal pump or spin sound
What separates it A continuous hum with periodic gurgling or a whirring as the basket slows
How to confirm Recognize these as normal drain and deceleration sounds
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCompare with normal sounds
ReversibleCompare with normal sounds, such as the pump hum and gurgle, sensing spins and basket deceleration.
Empty pockets
ReversibleEmpty the pockets, since coins can block the pump and make noise, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the shipping bolts
ReversibleCheck the shipping bolts, which should have been removed at installation, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Level the washer
ReversibleLevel the washer, with all four feet stable and tight against the cabinet, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Call service
ReversibleCall service, if the noise persists after these checks are done, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Rule out normal sounds
ReversibleKenmore says it is normal to hear metal snaps, buckles or zippers touching the basket, a continuous humming with gurgling as the pump removes water during Drain & Spin, the hum of sensing spins after starting, and the whirring as the basket decelerates.
Check for trapped objects
ReversibleLoose items such as coins can fall between the basket and tub or block the pump. Empty pockets before washing; if a metallic clicking continues, it may be necessary to call for service to remove the items.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Suspension and balance
- Kenmore says the front-loader's suspension system combines 2 springs to isolate vibration and 4 shock absorbers at the base to minimize movement, and that Dynamic Balance redistributes clothes during the spin. The washer should not move front to back, side to side or diagonally when you push on the edges of the top plate, and all four feet must be tightened with the nuts against the cabinet or the washer may vibrate.
- Top-loader sounds
- The 110 top-loader lists a clicking and hum at the start of the spin as the lid lock self-tests, different humming as the agitator or impeller tests load balance, and silence while the washer works out the water level or lets clothes soak. All are normal. Only clicking or metallic noise from trapped objects is a fault to act on.
- Front-loader guide: noise and vibration
- Kenmore's own 110.4996x guide says the washer must be level with the four feet properly installed and their nuts tightened against the cabinet. Air being drawn through the pump at the end of a drain is normal, and metal snaps, buckles or zippers touching the drum are normal. It says the washer should stand on a sturdy solid floor and that a piece of 3/4 inch (19.1 mm) plywood under the washer, extended under the dryer so both stand at the same height, can reduce noise and vibration.
- Sound list
- Clicking or metallic noises can come from objects caught in the drain system; gurgling or humming is the drain pump; humming after you start is load sensing; and whirring is the basket slowing. None of these except trapped objects indicates a fault.
- Parts for this problem on the FRONT (RepairClinic, 2026-09-21)
- ball bearing, part number 605040-20, at $17.22; v-belt, part number 93-7381, at $32.28.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the 110-series top-load washer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If clicking or metallic noise continues after emptying pockets, call Kenmore on 1-800-4-MY-HOME
- !If the noise is loud grinding, stop using the washer
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Kenmore's own guide for the 110 front-loader in full: the pages that carry the troubleshooting, care and cleaning sections are images, so they were read by text recognition and checked against the printed page.
Whirlpool's own table of front-load washer codes, used for the builder's front-load platform.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-21.
Exact questions
Common questions
Is gurgling normal?+
Yes; the drain pump hums and gurgles as it removes the last water.
Why does the washer hum after Start?+
Load sensing spins; it is normal.
What is the whirring after a spin?+
The whirring after a spin is the basket decelerating, which is normal.
Can coins cause noise?+
Yes; they can fall between the basket and tub or block the pump.
Do metal fasteners make noise?+
Yes; snaps, buckles and zippers touching the basket is normal.
Is humming during the drain normal?+
Yes, the pump hums with periodic gurgling while draining.
Is whirring at the end of the spin normal?+
Yes, that is the basket decelerating.