Diagnosis
A foreign object is trapped in the wash pump or filter area. Common culprits are broken glass, pottery shards, or a misplaced utensil.
How to Fix It
Immediately cancel the cycle. Remove the lower rack. Unscrew and remove the fine mesh filter and the flat plastic filter plate beneath it. Inspect the pump sump area for debris. Clear all foreign material. Reassemble the filters securely; improper seating can also cause noise.
If That Didn't Work
The noise may originate from the circulation pump motor bearings. Listen for the grinding noise with the filters removed during a brief drain cycle. A consistent bearing grind requires pump replacement.
Heads Up
Always scrape, don't rinse, dishes before loading. Rinsing can push small debris past the filter into the pump chamber. The filter system is designed to catch food particles from scraped plates.