Whirlpool's Product Help says grinding or rubbing sounds from a front-load washer like the WFW9620 typically occur only in the agitation/wash or spin parts of the cycle, and that the drive system is different from earlier washers: you may hear the motor as it alternates direction and some gear sounds, which is normal. Louder grinding can come from an overloaded drum, since the clothes need room to move so the basket can move, from an unlevel washer, or from a drain pan under the washer that the tub bottom rubs against with heavy or bulky loads; extend the leveling legs to their maximum height and check the pan for damage.
Differential
Likely causes of “Whirlpool WFW9620 front-load washer makes grinding, squealing, clicking or banging noises”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Normal drive sounds
What separates it Motor direction changes and gear sounds in wash or spin
How to confirm Compare with Whirlpool's description of normal sounds, before you act
- 2
An overloaded drum
What separates it There is a louder, grinding type noise because the drum is overloaded
How to confirm Load per the owner's manual so clothes move freely
- 3
An unlevel washer
What separates it The noise worsens with rocking because the washer is not level
How to confirm Adjust the leveling legs, and tighten the jam nuts
- 4
A drain pan under the washer
What separates it There is rubbing with heavy or bulky loads because of a drain pan under the washer
How to confirm Extend the legs to maximum height; check the pan is not damaged
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- When in the cycle it occurs
- Whether a drain pan is fitted
- How full the drum was when it was loaded
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedCompare with normal sounds
ReversibleCompare with normal sounds, since the motor alternating direction and gear sounds are normal, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Reduce the load
ReversibleReduce the load, and give the clothes room to move in the drum, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Level the washer
ReversibleLevel the washer, by adjusting the legs and tightening the jam nuts against the base.
Check for a drain pan
ReversibleCheck for a drain pan, by raising the legs to the maximum and confirming that the pan is undamaged.
Check the shipping bolts
ReversibleCheck the shipping bolts, since they must have been removed at installation, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Sounds and the drive system
- Whirlpool describes the front-loader's drive system as different from earlier washers, so a brand new owner may hear sounds an old washer never made. The motor changes direction during agitation, gears can be heard, and the spin has its own note, none of which indicates a failure. A noise that changes suddenly, or begins after a move, is the one to investigate.
- Drain pan and pedestal
- Whirlpool says that with a drain pan under the washer the tub bottom may rub on it, most often with heavy or bulky loads, and that the leveling legs may need extending to their maximum height. If the noise has been a problem, check the drain pan is not damaged. On a pedestal, tight mounting screws and lock nuts stop rattles that are mistaken for a drum problem.
- What changed from older washers
- Whirlpool's article says the drive system on these washers is different from earlier machines and that a new owner may hear the motor sound as it alternates directions and some gear sounds. Owners who change from a top-load agitator washer to the WFW9620 often hear these as faults. Grinding that is only present in wash and spin, and unchanged from week to week, is normal operation.
- Parts for this problem on the WFW9620 (RepairClinic, 2026-09-20)
- shock absorber, part number W11316766, at $71.94.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models WFW8620, WFW6720, WFW6605, WFW5605, WFW5090, WFC8090, WTW8127, WTW7120, WTW6157, WTW6120, WTW5010, WTW4855, WTW4816.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the noise is metallic scraping or grows, stop and call Whirlpool service
- !If the tub touches the cabinet, stop using the washer
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Whirlpool's own table of front-load washer codes and resolutions.
Whirlpool's own symptom articles for front-load washers, each.
Whirlpool's own product page giving the size, capacity, dispenser and app features.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-20.
Exact questions
Common questions
Is grinding normal on a front-loader?+
Some motor and gear sound during wash and spin is normal, per Whirlpool.
Why is it louder?+
An overloaded drum, an unlevel washer or a drain pan touching the tub.
What is a jam nut?+
The nut that locks each leveling foot against the base of the washer.
What if it walks across the floor?+
See the vibration page; check bolts, feet and load.