Watch where the door moves
- Open the door slowly and watch for rubbing against a cabinet or another surface.
- If it rubs, address the fit in the opening. If it clears, check whether the dishwasher is level and square.
- Adjust leveling legs only for a confirmed level problem. Arrange service if the squeak remains after these checks.
A sound at one point in the door’s travel gives you a place to watch. We’d look for rubbing before changing the dishwasher’s position, because you can see where the door makes contact, while level and squareness need separate checks. Notice which edge, if any, touches a surrounding surface as you move the door.
The door rubs a cabinet
If an edge rubs the cabinet or another surface, use your dishwasher’s installation instructions to address the fit, or tell your installer exactly where it touches. Move the door through that spot again after the installation is corrected and check that the edge clears it.
There’s a more specific check for a newly installed GE dishwasher that won’t latch: close the door and inspect both sides and the top. If it hits a cabinet or a screw beneath the counter, contact the installer to correct the interference, or consult that dishwasher’s installation instructions.
The door clears, so check level
Once the door clears nearby surfaces, check how the dishwasher sits in its opening. On Maytag dishwashers, use a level side to side and front to back. The machine should sit flat on the floor, supported by its leveling legs and rear wheels, though some models have four leveling legs.
On GE dishwashers, open the door and watch the rack. If it rolls out as soon as the door opens, the machine is angled forward and needs leveling. You can also place a level on the top rack rail. Level matters for proper door operation, so a reading that’s off gives you a reason to check the leveling setup before treating the noise as a hinge problem.
A confirmed level problem
Check your model’s installation instructions to identify its leveling supports before making an adjustment. A leveling-foot correction is for a dishwasher that’s out of level; the result to check is whether the door closes squarely.
On a GE dishwasher with four bottom leveling legs, use an adjustable wrench to turn the legs only if the machine is out of level. Turn a leg clockwise to raise that side or counterclockwise to lower it. These bottom screws set the dishwasher’s height; GE’s leveling directions (opens in a new tab) give the four-leg instructions.
Recheck the level after the adjustment and close the door to see whether it sits squarely. On a GE dishwasher that had tipped forward, open the door again and check whether the rack still rolls out immediately.
The opening is out of square
If the dishwasher is level but its tub opening is out of square in the cabinet, have the installer correct the fit, or use your model’s installation instructions if you’re responsible for the installation. A square opening matters because an out-of-square one can keep the door from sealing properly.
If water appears at the bottom of the door, follow the dishwasher leak checks. Proper leveling can help a dishwasher door close squarely and stop a leak at its bottom.
The door still doesn’t move freely
On a Bosch dishwasher whose door doesn’t open properly, check whether the hinges are damaged or the door’s movement is restricted. A damaged hinge affects door operation and needs professional repair.
If you find hinge damage, or the squeak continues after the contact and level checks, contact the dishwasher maker to arrange service. For a Bosch dishwasher, you can request repair help (opens in a new tab). Tell them where you hear the sound and whether the door rubs or moves freely.
Check the door after the correction
After a fit or leveling correction, move the door through the point where it squeaked and listen again. Check that it clears surrounding surfaces and closes squarely. The useful result is a door that travels past that spot without the same noise.
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