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Have you noticed that your KitchenAid mixer has been producing more noise than usual or making unexpected sounds that don’t quite fit its reputation for reliability? If so, don’t worry, a noisy KitchenAid mixer could be an indication of several underlying issues that can be easily addressed to keep your mixer in tip-top condition.
In order to take proper care of your best baking buddy you need to be very aware of how it normally operates, this way you will immediately notice if it starts displaying any unusual behaviors such as grinding or screeching.
This post is all about KitchenAid noises. We will go over what is normal and what is abnormal, as well as identify problems and how to fix them. After all, these machines support us every day in our kitchens, we owe it to them to keep them running smoothly and give them the maintenance they need so they can last a lifetime!
What Does A Normal KitchenAid Sound Like?
So before we start exploring what problems your mixer may be experiencing to cause unusual noises, let’s first take a look at what is classed as normal KitchenAid noises.
During normal operation, a KitchenAid mixer will emanate a low humming noise somewhat reminiscent of an airplane. As the mixer speed increases the noise will also increase slightly, and may also become higher in pitch. If you believe your KitchenAid mixer is making a buzzing noise, this is most likely a normal operating sound and is not a cause for concern.
When using your mixer for lightweight jobs like whisking cream, or mixing up a light batter, the sound will remain fairly consistent at that same airplane-ish tone. However, if you are asking your mixer to do a bit more heavy lifting such as kneading bread dough, the sound of your mixer will start to become somewhat labored, and you may even hear the occasional clicking noise.
This is a common and expected response for a mixer while working on stiffer doughs. Rest assured that your mixer is more than capable of handling these tougher jobs, they simply may need a little more love and attention from you to keep them running smoothly if you plan to make stiff doughs frequently.
Something to keep in mind when assessing KitchenAid noises is that different models have different levels of sound while running. Depending on what type of motor your mixer is equipped with it may either be louder or quieter than other models. This is completely normal, and there is no need for concern if your mixer sounds different than, let’s say, the mixer your best friend has in their kitchen.
For comparison, here is a video demonstrating the difference in sound between a bowl lift and a tilt-head mixer.
Unusual KitchenAid Mixer Noises
If the sound of your mixer isn’t matching up with the description of normal Kitchenaid sound, then you’re probably left wondering, “Why is my KitchenAid mixer noisy?“ If that’s the case, then keep reading!
KitchenAid Mixer Making Screeching Noise
If you notice your KitchenAid mixer is making screeching noises, don’t panic, there are several reasons why you may be experiencing screeching or squealing sounds.
First, ensure that your attachment height is adjusted correctly, this is the easiest solution to implement and should be your first course of action. If the attachments are incorrectly adjusted then they could be scraping on the inside of the mixer bowl, causing the screeching noise. In this case, you’ll need to adjust your bowl clearance.
The next thing that could be causing your KitchenAid to squeak or squeal is the possibility of a loose screw. The solution is to go through your mixer finding and tightening any screws that you can. Some of these screws may be under the housing, or under the metal band, requiring some disassembly to assess which screws may be loose.
Finally, if you are still experiencing screeching, it may be due to a lack of lubrication on the gears. This will require you to regrease your KitchenAid to keep it working smoothly long term.
KitchenAid Mixer Making Grinding Noise
Grinding noises are a fairly common problem among KitchenAid mixers, particularly if it is your go-to, daily-use appliance. Through all of our baking adventures, the gears on these appliances can eventually wear out, with the teeth getting worn down and affecting regular mixing operations, or causing loud noises to occur. Any worn-out gears will need to be replaced to ensure the longevity of the machine.
It is possible that even with the presence of a grinding noise your gears may be just fine, and the machine will simply need to be regreased to maintain normal operation. Either way, you will need to open up the machine and check on the grease and all of the gears.
KitchenAid Mixer Making Clunking Noises
The main cause of a clunking sound while running a KitchenAid mixer is a failed worm gear.
The worm gear is inside the mixer that is specifically designed to fail if anything strange should happen during normal operation of the mixer. This protects the motor from being damaged and makes for a much cheaper and easier repair than that of replacing the entire motor.
Worm gears can be purchased online for a decent price, or you can send your mixer in for repairs which we will discuss more below.
KitchenAid Mixer Noises On Low Speed
If your KitchenAid is producing a loud noise only at lower speeds, this is most likely also an indication of problems in the gear assembly.
Even if the noise disappears at higher speeds, you should not assume that this means there is no problem. If left undiagnosed the noise may get worse and eventually lead to more damage to your mixer.
How To Repair Grinding Noise
If at any time your KitchenAid Mixer presents with grinding or clunking noises, it is crucial that you address these problems immediately and make the proper repairs. Even if your mixer still seems to run and function normally aside from the noise, the underlying problems could lead to serious damage to your machine.
To ensure that your mixer has a long life in your kitchen, and is there to help you with all of your baking endeavors, you should take into account these early warning signs, and give your mixer the care and maintenance it needs.
KitchenAid Repair Program
KitchenAid has a comprehensive repair program for their mixers where they will send you a box to pack up your mixer and mail it straight to them for repairs. Once the repairs are complete they will send it back to you as good as new. If you have noticed your new KitchenAid mixer is making noises, then this is definitely the best option, as these repairs should be covered under your warranty. This means that you can get your KitchenAid back to its former glory at no cost to you.
Repair Your KitchenAid at Home
If your KitchenAid warranty has expired, or you simply enjoy learning to do things on your own, You can absolutely repair your noisy KitchenAid mixer at home. You will need to disassemble your mixer in order to access the gearbox, then check all the gears to assess whether any of them need to be replaced, or if the machine simply needs new grease, from there you can proceed with the repair and reassemble your mixer just in time to whip up a batch of cookies.
Be aware that anytime you attempt to fix your own KitchenAid stand mixer you may void your warranty. For that reason, self-repairs, though simple, are only recommended for mixers that are already outside of their warranty period.
Now you should be able to tackle any mysterious sound coming from your KitchenAid mixer with confidence. With a little bit of extra effort on your part to keep your KitchenAid in good health, it can continue to be by your side in the kitchen for many years to come.
