Hi! I just joined after lurking for awhile to ask a question. We just had a new lg he top loader delivered. It's working fine but it makes the craziest high pitched noise. The noise is more noticeable to my kids but I can hear it too when I'm next to the machine. The noise is such a high tone that it's difficult to hear. It comes on for a few seconds then off for a few seconds - over and over when the machine is running. I have no idea what it could be. Any thoughts? Thank you!
super high pitched noise from new washer
- Thread starter tablefor9
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If its such a high frequency, I could imagine its the line filter assembly. But with noises, its always best to take a short video and upload it to YT, so we can hear it as well.
But exactly when does it make this noise? All the time? Only during agitation or spin?
If its new and under warranty, and several people around your family can confirm it, best way is to call for service and to have somebody check it over. As long as its still working, that should not cause any bigger laundry related issue to you and is the safest bet not to void any warranty.
But exactly when does it make this noise? All the time? Only during agitation or spin?
If its new and under warranty, and several people around your family can confirm it, best way is to call for service and to have somebody check it over. As long as its still working, that should not cause any bigger laundry related issue to you and is the safest bet not to void any warranty.
I tried to do a video but the noise doesn't come out at all on 'tape'. It's a really, really faint yet high tone sound. It's most similar to the very high frequency sounds you hear during a hearing test. I've been watching it and it only happens when the drum is agitating back and fourth during the wash and spin cycles.
If its audible only when the tub\impeller is moving, then its most likely just the inverter that is driving the motor. Really high frequency noises are typical for that style motor control, though either unaudible or out of recognizable range and usually, one can't do a lot about it except for trying to get a service technician exchange the motor control board or the stator if it is more of a coil whine issue.
But, usually, such noises are put of as normal operating sounds and the manufacturer will tell you to just live with it. If they are verry blunt, they might even try to have you pay for an eventual technician checking your machine.
What you could try is get some kind of sound dampening material (just some rubber foam stuff should do), cut out a slim frame and fit it around the washers bottom, right where there is the tiny space between the washer cabinet and the floor. Basicly just squeeze it in there. Or stick it to the bottom of the cabinet, along the edge with some double sided tape.
Do not just put a sheet of this material under the machine if you try to dampen the sound. The washer bottom is open and the main moving part of the motor can eventually make contact with this material, and that might not be a good thing.
But, usually, such noises are put of as normal operating sounds and the manufacturer will tell you to just live with it. If they are verry blunt, they might even try to have you pay for an eventual technician checking your machine.
What you could try is get some kind of sound dampening material (just some rubber foam stuff should do), cut out a slim frame and fit it around the washers bottom, right where there is the tiny space between the washer cabinet and the floor. Basicly just squeeze it in there. Or stick it to the bottom of the cabinet, along the edge with some double sided tape.
Do not just put a sheet of this material under the machine if you try to dampen the sound. The washer bottom is open and the main moving part of the motor can eventually make contact with this material, and that might not be a good thing.
Another concern of the user added sound dampening material-is blocking ventilation for the motor and board.The insulation would have to be carefully installed to allow proper ventilation of the motor and its circuit board.If the insulation dampens sound,it also traps heat.The user must be sensitive to the HF sound emitted by the board or motor.I can hear the whine from the VFD soft starters on some of our transmitter pump motors.Usually don't hang around these.They control Allis Chalmers 20Hp pump motors that are 60 yrs old!Fun to watch and listen to the motor spin up or down!
Adding Insulation To A Newer Washer
Can be a great idea and you really don't have to worry about blocking ventilation for motor cooling, the motors are so efficient that they barely get warm, but otherwise I would not worry about the sound the washer is making.
If they come out and start replacing parts the machine may suffer other problems because of the disassembly and reassembly from changing parts.
If the noise really brothers you try to have the machine exchanged for a better brand.
Can be a great idea and you really don't have to worry about blocking ventilation for motor cooling, the motors are so efficient that they barely get warm, but otherwise I would not worry about the sound the washer is making.
If they come out and start replacing parts the machine may suffer other problems because of the disassembly and reassembly from changing parts.
If the noise really brothers you try to have the machine exchanged for a better brand.
Have the same sound problem
Hi, I have the same issue with my lg top load. My daughter is the only one who can hear the sound, but it is very loud to her. I am talking with the store i purchased it from and may have to do an exchange of brand, but am worried that all the new brands will have this issue for her...
Any further information is appreciated.
Hi, I have the same issue with my lg top load. My daughter is the only one who can hear the sound, but it is very loud to her. I am talking with the store i purchased it from and may have to do an exchange of brand, but am worried that all the new brands will have this issue for her...
Any further information is appreciated.
arbilab
Well-known member
A datapoint
This building's Otis elevator makes the same whine at the 'door close' speed. The sound is not evident when the door first starts closing (accel) or when nearly closed (decel) or when opening (highest speed).
It never occurred to the tone-deaf engineers designing/testing the motor drive or they might have been able to mute it. Or they might have asked their boss "what should we do about that whine?" and the boss said "ship it" cuz HIS boss told him the development budget was bottoming out.
Kinda might as well learn to like it; it's the 'sound of efficiency' and you'll be hearing more of it. Daughter is not likely to buy that, not right away. She will grow out of that sensitivity.
Meanwhile, she might be more tolerant if she knew what it was and why. It turns the power on and off to save power, and the speed it does that happens to correspond to a musical note that you hear.
That's worth a try. Trying to 'shop it away' might be arduous. The amount of acoustic energy she's reacting to is definitely not harmful in the context of 'modern life'.
This building's Otis elevator makes the same whine at the 'door close' speed. The sound is not evident when the door first starts closing (accel) or when nearly closed (decel) or when opening (highest speed).
It never occurred to the tone-deaf engineers designing/testing the motor drive or they might have been able to mute it. Or they might have asked their boss "what should we do about that whine?" and the boss said "ship it" cuz HIS boss told him the development budget was bottoming out.
Kinda might as well learn to like it; it's the 'sound of efficiency' and you'll be hearing more of it. Daughter is not likely to buy that, not right away. She will grow out of that sensitivity.
Meanwhile, she might be more tolerant if she knew what it was and why. It turns the power on and off to save power, and the speed it does that happens to correspond to a musical note that you hear.
That's worth a try. Trying to 'shop it away' might be arduous. The amount of acoustic energy she's reacting to is definitely not harmful in the context of 'modern life'.
In reply to cas. We ended up returning it. Not only was the noise annoying but it didn't clean well at all. I was having to run half loads to get the clothes close to clean. We bought a front loader lg instead and no high pitched noise problems at all. The front loader has the high pressure jets and really does clean well and a whole load too, I can load it up and everything comes out nice and clean.
brucelucenta
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2013
- Messages
- 1,924
Am I the only one who thinks top load HE washers are pieces of shit?
dartman
Well-known member
Happy with my 28102 TL
Well I'm happy with the Sears Kenmore/Whirlpool washer mentioned above. Quiet, clothes come out clean and almost dry, and it saves us almost 50 bucks every 3 months on our water bill that's way overpriced.
I think no matter what style you like you need to do your homework, and sometimes something nobody mentions kills the deal, plus sometimes you just get a lemon.
Well I'm happy with the Sears Kenmore/Whirlpool washer mentioned above. Quiet, clothes come out clean and almost dry, and it saves us almost 50 bucks every 3 months on our water bill that's way overpriced.
I think no matter what style you like you need to do your homework, and sometimes something nobody mentions kills the deal, plus sometimes you just get a lemon.
We also have the high pitched sound
I was so glad to find this discussion. Thank you! My 14 year old son can also hear a bothersome high pitched sound intermittently while the washing machine is on. It is not a water pressure sound, as it is not when the water is loading, but it seems to be at some points when the drum is moving. My husband and I cannot hear it and neither can the repair person. Ours is an LG top load, model - WT5480CW. My son is going to video it and will upload it to LG.
I was so glad to find this discussion. Thank you! My 14 year old son can also hear a bothersome high pitched sound intermittently while the washing machine is on. It is not a water pressure sound, as it is not when the water is loading, but it seems to be at some points when the drum is moving. My husband and I cannot hear it and neither can the repair person. Ours is an LG top load, model - WT5480CW. My son is going to video it and will upload it to LG.
vacerator
Well-known member
sounds like
a hall sensor hum at certain r.p.m.s. Sometimes a noise suppressor helps, sometimes not.
Note about F.C.C. rules for consumer electronic use applications:
They may not cause interference of any FAA, or military radar, or other equipment. They must accept all interference form the afore mentioned though.
The hall sensors are the pole windings, electronics, and magnets that drive the wash basket.
a hall sensor hum at certain r.p.m.s. Sometimes a noise suppressor helps, sometimes not.
Note about F.C.C. rules for consumer electronic use applications:
They may not cause interference of any FAA, or military radar, or other equipment. They must accept all interference form the afore mentioned though.
The hall sensors are the pole windings, electronics, and magnets that drive the wash basket.
Well from what we are deducing from multiple users is that there is a high pitch sound that is at a high enough frequency that only younger folks can hear it. This would likely place the sound at 15Khz or higher. It is likely much like the whine that we used to hear from old CRT TV's that came from their flyback transformers at 15.7Khz.
Odds are it is coming from the variable frequency drive inverter electronics. It is fairly common to have the transformer coils 'sing' a little in the high magnetic field. I kind of doubt it comes from the motor as I doubt the fundamental frequency fed to the motor is anywhere near that high, but it could be a harmonic perhaps.
If this is the source of the noise, it is no cause for concern, other then being annoying to people that can still hear it. It won't lead to failure etc. I'd wager that LG is aware of it and deems it to be "acceptable".
If you have pets they may be more adversely effected by it. Both dogs and cats have hearing that is far more sensitive to high frequencies then humans.
Odds are it is coming from the variable frequency drive inverter electronics. It is fairly common to have the transformer coils 'sing' a little in the high magnetic field. I kind of doubt it comes from the motor as I doubt the fundamental frequency fed to the motor is anywhere near that high, but it could be a harmonic perhaps.
If this is the source of the noise, it is no cause for concern, other then being annoying to people that can still hear it. It won't lead to failure etc. I'd wager that LG is aware of it and deems it to be "acceptable".
If you have pets they may be more adversely effected by it. Both dogs and cats have hearing that is far more sensitive to high frequencies then humans.
frontloaderfan
Well-known member
"Am I the only one who thinks top load HE washers..."
Are pieces of sh*t?
No, you are not. I happen to wholeheartedly agree with you. I think they are just an HE fix for Americans that can't pry themselves away from their beloved top loaders.
Are pieces of sh*t?
No, you are not. I happen to wholeheartedly agree with you. I think they are just an HE fix for Americans that can't pry themselves away from their beloved top loaders.
vacerator
Well-known member
No Ryan,
you're not, but the Samsung DD top loaders are better than the Whirlpool's. I could stand the high pitch hum so long as it works well. It's not on all day. My sister has one going on five years with no problems other than a dim display. She has three kids.
you're not, but the Samsung DD top loaders are better than the Whirlpool's. I could stand the high pitch hum so long as it works well. It's not on all day. My sister has one going on five years with no problems other than a dim display. She has three kids.
Noise
I have a 65lb Uni Wash with inverter drive.
Sometimes I can hear it sometimes I can't.
It is annoying though.
I have a 65lb Uni Wash with inverter drive.
Sometimes I can hear it sometimes I can't.
It is annoying though.
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