Quick Answer:
If the toilet gurgles when the washing machine discharges, stop using the washer and check right away. This gurgling during the washer’s discharge often means the shared drain, branch, or main sewer has a partial restriction and can’t handle the sudden flow from the washer.
Why This Happens
Washing machines push a large volume of water into the home drain in a short time. If the drain downstream is partially blocked or the venting is restricted, air has to move through nearby fixtures as the water forces its way past the obstruction. That air movement is what makes the toilet gurgle. If the problem happens only when the washer empties, it points to a capacity or partial blockage issue rather than a problem with the toilet itself.
If you see other patterns — for example, **Toilet bubbles when bathtub drains** — that also points to shared drain or vent problems rather than an isolated appliance issue.
Step-by-Step What to Do
1. Stop the washer and don’t run more cycles
- Do not keep running the washer if it causes gurgling — this signals the drain limits and can make backups worse.
- Pause the machine and avoid additional loads until you know what’s wrong.
2. Observe the washer drain cycle
- Run a single drain cycle while someone watches the toilet and other nearby fixtures. Observe when the gurgle happens: during the spin/drain only or also later.
- Observe the washer drain cycle; gurgling during discharge suggests a partial main or branch restriction.
3. Check other fixtures and signs
- Run water in the sink, bathtub, and flush the toilet to see if anything is slow or backs up.
- Note any sewage smell, slow drains, backups, or bubbles in other fixtures — these are red flags.
4. Inspect accessible trap and cleanout
- Look for a nearby basement or yard cleanout plug and check for standing water or slow flow. If you’re comfortable, you can open the cleanout carefully (have a bucket and gloves ready) to see if flow is blocked.
- A simple mechanical snake at the trap or cleanout can clear minor blockages if you know how to use it safely.
5. Test cautiously after minor fixes
- If you clear an obvious clog and things look normal, run one small wash cycle and watch closely for recurrence.
- If the gurgle returns, stop and move to professional help — this suggests a larger restriction or sewer issue.
What Not to Do
- Don’t keep running the washer if it causes gurgling — this signals drain limits; a plumber is appropriate.
- Don’t pour large amounts of chemical drain cleaners into drains to force a fix. They rarely clear mainline blockages and can be hazardous.
- Don’t ignore sewage odors or slow drainage — those can worsen quickly and cause damage.
When to Call a Professional
Call a licensed plumber if any of the following are true:
- Gurgling continues after simple checks or returns when the washer drains.
- Multiple fixtures are slow, bubbling, or show signs of backup.
- There is a sewage smell, visible backup, or you cannot access or safely clear the cleanout.
A plumber can perform a camera inspection of the main and branch lines and will identify whether the issue is a partial blockage, damaged pipe, or venting problem. If the gurgling shows a timing pattern (for example at night), see the note about **Gurgling only at night** for related causes and diagnosis steps.
Safety Notes
- Wear gloves and eye protection if you open a cleanout or work near sewage. Avoid skin contact with wastewater.
- Shut off power to appliances if you must work near electrical components or if there’s standing water around outlets.
- If you suspect a sewer backup, evacuate the affected area and call a professional. Sewage contains pathogens — do not attempt extensive cleanup without proper equipment or help.
Common Homeowner Questions
- Why does the toilet only gurgle when the washer drains? Because the washer dumps a large volume quickly and a partial restriction in the branch or main forces air back through the toilet trap.
- Can I clear this with a plunger or hand snake? You can try a plunger or small hand snake for simple trap or fixture clogs, but persistent gurgling often means a deeper problem that needs a plumber.
- Is this an emergency? Not always, but if there’s sewage smell, visible backup, or multiple fixtures affected, treat it as urgent and call a professional.