Home » Blog » Oleg Chudnovski » Why Does My Washer Shake: Common Causes and Solutions

Why Does My Washer Shake: Common Causes and Solutions

Written by Oleg Chudnovski

A washing machine is a solid pillar of household convenience, saving countless hours and effort in maintaining your laundry clean and fresh day after day. However, when you face the problem of your washing machine shaking violently, vibrating excessively, or even moving across the floor, you feel frustrated.

In this guide, we’ll explore the root causes of a washing machine shaking when spinning and provide practical tips to help you restore your washer’s stability and smooth operation.

My Washing Machine Shakes During Operation: Is It Normal?

Washers rely on the fast rotation of their drum to effectively remove water from clothes during a spinning cycle. So, a certain amount of vibration is normal as the drum moves at high speeds. Washing bulky or dense items like comforters or towels can make a machine vibrate more intensively due to the load weight. Featuring a different drum design, top-loading washers are less prone to heavy agitation than front-loading models.

However, a washer shaking violently and noisily typically points to some underlying issues that need attention.

Why Does My Washer Shake?: 9 Common Causes

An abnormally shaking washer shouldn’t be ignored, as it can lead to more serious issues and damages. Understanding the root cause of the problem is the first step toward a solution. So, let’s consider the most common reasons why your washer shakes during spin cycle and how to differentiate those issues.

Unbalanced load

When the clothes are unevenly distributed inside the drum or bunch up on one side of the drum, the machine might shake and wobble as it spins. This is particularly common with bulky or heavy items.

Signs to watch for: Loud banging noises, drum shifting unevenly, shaking temporarily stops after pausing and redistributing the load.

Machine leveling issues

If the machine is placed on an uneven or unstable floor and its legs are not leveled, it might “jump” even under light and moderate loads. Take a bubble level and place it on the top of the washer to see if it’s sitting flat. You can also gently push on each corner of the machine to see if it rocks.

Signs to watch for: Shaking even with balanced loads, or the machine gradually moving across the floor during operation.

Failed shock absorbers (for front-loading models)

Meant to dampen drum-related vibrations, shock absorbers can wear out or break over time. They sit beneath the washer, so you should slightly tip the machine back to inspect for visible signs of wear, cracks, or detachment.

Signs to watch for: Violent shaking and bouncing during the spin, clunking sounds, the drum feels overly loose or unstable when manually rotated.

Faulty suspension springs (for top-loading models)

Designed to stabilize the drum in top-loading washers, stretched or broken springs can cause intensive machine vibrations. Open the top of the washer to check the springs connected to the drum.

Signs to watch for: Drum sags or hangs unevenly inside the appliance, metallic rattling or squeaking sounds, damaged or detached spring.

Drum bearings malfunction

Damaged or broken bearings will hinder the drum balance, leading to machine destabilization when spinning. When the washer is off, try manually rotating the drum and listening for grinding or clicking noises.

Signs to watch for: Squealing sounds, shaking regardless of the load, water leakage near the back of the drum.

Drive belt issue

The drive belt connecting the motor to the drum might become loose or damaged, making the drum spin unevenly. You should remove the back panel and inspect the belt for cracks, fraying, or slackness.

Signs to watch for: Drum struggles to maintain speed, washer shaking violently under heavy loads, rubbing or slapping noises.

Overloading

Adding too many clothes can overwhelm the washer and halt normal agitation, resulting in rigorous drum vibration.

Signs to watch for: Drum halts midcycle, thumping sounds.

Failing counterweights

Generally, washers are equipped with counterweights to reduce dynamic stress during the drum rotation and counterbalance a heavy motor assembly. If loosened or damaged, they can cause the machine to wobble.

Signs to watch for: The machine feels unusually heavy to tilt or move, loud banging.

Unremoved shipping bolts

When not removed before use, shipping bolts keep the drum rigidly fixed to the washer’s frame, limiting its flexibility. Vibration and excessive strain on the frame and suspension could cause damage to internal components.

Signs to watch for: Drum feels stiff and locked, shaking persists despite troubleshooting, visible shipping bolts.

Error Codes

Here are examples of shaking drum error codes from five popular washing machine brands:

• Samsung: UB (Unbalanced) or UR (Unbalanced Rotation)
• LG: E1 or UE (depending on the model)
• Whirlpool: E05 or E10
• Maytag: E2 or E3
• GE: 26

How to Resolve the Issue of Washing Machine Shaking

Now that you know the answer to the question, “Why does my washing machine shake?” let’s consider how to fix the problem. Fortunately, many causes could be eliminated with simple adjustments.

• If your machine is new, start by checking for shipping bolts that are usually attached to the rear side of the drum. Use a wrench to remove the bolts, and install any provided plastic covers over the holes.
• Check for unbalanced laundry weight or overloading. If you’ve packed too many clothes into the drum, redistribute heavy items or remove some items. Mix heavy and lightweight items in each load to avoid uneven weight distribution.
• Check the washer level by placing the bubble level on the top of the machine. Adjust the leveling feet and ensure all four feet stand firmly on the floor. Avoid placing the washer on carpets or uneven surfaces.
• Inspect for worn, damaged, or loosened components such as bearings, dampers, drive belts, or counterweights. Normally, the replacement of the faulty part or assembly is required, which is a task for a qualified technician.

Leave Your Washing Machine Repair to Professionals From Spark Service PRO

If DIY troubleshooting doesn’t help and the washer shaking is caused by more serious issues that require deep knowledge and specialized expertise, it’s time to call professionals. At Spark Service PRO, we’ve been providing services on washing machine repair in South Florida for over 18 years. Our experts are highly trained and boast extensive experience in repairing all types and brands of washers, including recent high-tech models with smart functionality.

Call Spark Service PRO today and let us restore your appliance’s peak performance in close to no time.