A washing machine that vibrates excessively during the spin cycle can be annoying and concerning. The intense shaking and noise can make you worry that the machine may walk across the floor or cause damage. Fortunately, washing machine vibration is usually easy to resolve with some basic troubleshooting and maintenance.

Common Causes of Washing Machine Vibration

There are several common culprits that can cause a washing machine to vibrate or shake:

Imbalanced Load

The most common cause of washing machine vibration is an uneven distribution of clothes inside the drum. When laundry isn’t balanced well, the drum will wobble as it spins. This puts stress on the suspension system and creates noticeable tremors.

Solution: Redistribute the clothes to better balance the weight. Try bunching all the heavy items in one area of the drum. Only wash large and small items together if you use the delicate or casual setting, which spins at a slower speed.

Leveling Issue

If the washing machine isn’t properly leveled, it can rock and sway excessively during the spin cycle. The machine may even “walk” if it’s extremely uneven.

Solution: Confirm all 4 feet are adjusted to the proper height and the machine is stable. Use a level to check that it’s perfectly even. Make minor adjustments as needed.

Worn Suspension

The shock absorbers and suspension springs in a washer are meant to dampen vibration. Over time, these components wear out and become less effective.

Solution: Inspect the suspension rods and coils for damage. Replace any broken or sagging parts. This usually requires a repair professional.

Loose Mounting

Washers that aren’t mounted securely to the floor can vibrate severely as the drum spins rapidly. This is especially true with front-load washers.

Solution: Tighten any loose mounting hardware. Check the floor for deterioration under the feet. Add new anchors if needed to stabilize the unit.

Defective Tub Bearing

The tub bearing helps the inner drum spin smoothly within the outer tub. If this bearing wears out, the drum may wobble excessively as it rotates.

Solution: Replace a damaged tub bearing. This repair isn’t DIY-friendly and requires disassembling most of the machine.

Bent Drum

While rare, the drum itself can become deformed or bent over time. This creates substantial imbalance and vibration.

Solution: Inspect the drum for dents or other damage. Replace a bent drum. This isn’t easily repairable.

Step-by-Step Guide to Stop Washing Machine Vibration

Follow these steps in order to diagnose and fix washing machine vibration:

1. Rearrange the Load

The first thing to try is redistributing the clothes inside the drum. Make sure everything is well spread out and balanced.

Don’t overload the machine. An overstuffed washer is more likely to vibrate.
Mix large and small items. Don’t wash all bulky items together.
Try moving heavier pieces like jeans to one side.
Fluff up tangled items before closing the door.

Run a spin cycle with no clothes at all. If the shaking stops, imbalance is the issue.

2. Check the Leveling

Use a bubble level placed on top of the washer to confirm it’s perfectly even. Adjust the leveling feet as needed.

Turn clockwise to raise a corner. Turn counterclockwise to lower it.
Only adjust by 1/4 turn at a time, checking often with the level.
Ensure all 4 feet make solid contact with the floor when done.

3. Inspect the Suspension

If adjusting the load and level doesn’t help, visually inspect the suspension system.

Look for broken or sagging springs and shocks.
Check where rods connect to the base and tub for looseness.
Push down on corners to test for worn shocks.

Replace any damaged suspension parts. If unsure, have a technician inspect and perform this repair.

4. Tighten Mounting

For front-load washers, ensure the unit is securely fastened to the floor.

Tighten any loose washers and bolts. Don’t overtighten.
If mounting hardware strips, use larger washers or anchors.
Check the flooring underneath. Add new anchors if the subfloor is soft or compromised.

5. Test the Drum Bearing

To check for a faulty bearing, remove the drive belt and spin the drum by hand.

It should rotate smoothly and quietly.
If noisy, grinding, or difficult to turn, the bearing likely needs replacing.

A technician will disassemble the machine to replace the tub bearing. DIY bearing replacement is very difficult.

6. Replace Drum (If Needed)

If the drum itself is bent or dented, it will cause significant vibration. Confirm by running a spin cycle with the drum empty.

Replacing the drum isn’t a DIY project. A technician will need to completely disassemble the washing machine and install a new drum.

Tips to Prevent Washing Machine Vibration

Here are some helpful tips to prevent excessive vibration during the spin cycle:

Don’t overload the drum – Leave room for clothes to tumble freely. Overfilling can throw off balance.
Level the unit often – Confirm leveling every few months to prevent uneven spinning.
Use delicate cycles for unbalanced loads – The slower spin speed reduces vibration with unbalanced clothes.
Avoid washing only bulky items – Try mixing some smaller items in to balance out the load.
Don’t abruptly stop spin cycles – This can damage components and lead to imbalance.
Tighten mounting bolts occasionally – Check for loose floor anchors and tighten as needed.
Replace suspension every 5-7 years – Proactively replacing shocks and springs reduces wear.
Have drum bearing checked annually – Catching wear early prevents excessive drum wobble.
Immediately repair dents/damage – Small dents can grow worse over time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Washing Machine Vibration

Having trouble reducing washing machine vibration? Here are answers to some common questions:

Why does my washing machine vibrate so much during spin cycles?

Excessive spinning vibration is almost always caused by an imbalanced distribution of clothes inside the drum. Laundry that bunches to one side creates wobble as the drum spins rapidly.

Why does my washer shake violently when empty?

If strong shaking only happens with no clothes loaded, it likely indicates an internal fault. Bent drums, worn bearings, and broken suspension rods can cause empty vibration.

Can washing machine vibration cause damage over time?

Yes, chronic vibration can damage components and create new problems. Excess force can bend the drum, wear bearings/suspension, loosen mounting, etc. Resolve the issue promptly.

Do all front-load washers have more vibration than top-loaders?

Front-load machines do tend to vibrate more noticeably due to the drum placement. However, excessive shaking in either style washer indicates an underlying issue needing repair.

Should I only wash small loads to prevent vibration?

No, you can wash regular size loads in most cases. Just be sure to distribute clothes evenly and not overload. Mixing items helps balance; washing all big/small items together is hard to balance.

Why does my washing machine walk across the floor when spinning?

If a washer shifts position or “walks” during spin cycles, it’s almost always because the unit isn’t properly leveled. Adjust the feet to make the machine perfectly even.

At what point should I call a repair technician about washer vibration?

If basic troubleshooting like redistributing clothes and leveling doesn’t reduce the shaking, it’s best to call a repair pro. Any grinding noises or visible damage also warrant professional service.

When to Call a Professional for Washing Machine Vibration

While most vibration issues are DIY fixable, there are times to call in a professional:

If the drum bearing is worn out or grinding
The mounting bolts are severely loose, stripping, or missing
Visible damage like broken suspension rods, bent drum, etc.
Leveling and balancing the load don’t reduce vibration
The machine “walks” across the floor when spinning
You’re unsure of the cause or unable to locate the source

Many parts like bearings, suspension rods, and drums require significant disassembly to replace. Let a trained technician perform difficult repairs. They have the knowledge, tools, and parts sourcing to efficiently resolve the issue.

Conclusion

Loud, disruptive shaking during the spin cycle is annoying, but fixing washing machine vibration is usually pretty straightforward. In most cases, the problem is simply an uneven distribution of laundry in the drum. Take time to properly balance clothes before starting a cycle.

Periodically check that all 4 feet are level and the unit is mounted securely. This prevents excessive movement as the drum spins. Overall, be proactive with basic machine maintenance and repairs to stop vibration problems before they progress. Pay attention to any grinding, walking, visible damage, etc. and call in a professional when major repairs are needed.

How to Stop Your Washing Machine from Vibrating

Vibration during the spin cycle is a common problem faced by many washing machine owners. Excessive shaking and noise can be unsettling, but the issue is usually easy to resolve with basic troubleshooting. Here are some tips on how to stop your washing machine from vibrating:

Common Causes of Washing Machine Vibration

Imbalanced loads – Clothes bundled unevenly within the drum is the most common cause of shaking. The solution is redistributing the load to be balanced.
Leveling issues – An unleveled washing machine will vibrate excessively, especially front loaders. Use a level tool to adjust all 4 feet evenly.
Worn suspension – Shock absorbers and springs deteriorate over time. Visually inspect these components for damage and replace as needed.
Loose mounting – Washers not properly secured to the floor will shake violently. Tighten any loose floor mounting bolts.
Tub bearing faults – Worn tub bearings cause the inner drum to wobble. Replace damaged bearings to restore smooth spinning.
Bent or damaged drum – While rare, drum damage leads to substantial imbalance. Inspect for dents and replace if warped.

How to Diagnose and Stop Washing Machine Vibration

Follow these steps to pinpoint the cause of vibration and remedy the problem:

Inspect and Redistribute Laundry

Uneven distribution of clothes is the first thing to check. Shake out tangled items and spread everything around evenly within the drum before starting a cycle.

Check Leveling

Use a bubble level placed on top of the machine to confirm it is perfectly even. Adjust any uneven legs individually by turning the feet.

Examine Suspension System

Look for failed shocks, broken springs, or loose suspension rod connections. Push down on corners to check for worn parts. Replace damaged components.

Tighten Mounting

For front loaders, ensure it is firmly bolted to the floor. Tighten any loose hardware or anchors. Add larger washers if existing ones are stripping out.

Test Tub Bearing

Remove belt and try rotating drum by hand. If noisy or stiff, the bearing likely needs professional replacement. This isn’t a DIY repair.

Replace Drum (If Needed)

Severely bent or dented drums require professional replacement. Confirm drum damage by running empty spin cycle.

Preventative Maintenance

Routine care and maintenance helps minimize washing machine vibration:

Don’t overload drum
Level unit every few months
Replace suspension components per manufacturer guidelines
Annually inspect drum bearing
Repair dents/damage immediately
Avoid washing only bulky items
Tighten floor mounting often
Use delicate cycle for unbalanced small loads

When to Call a Professional

If DIY efforts to balance and level the machine don’t reduce vibration, contact a technician. Seek professional help for:

Grinding or whining noises
Visibly broken parts
Washing machine “walking”
Loose, stripping, or missing floor mounting

Major repairs like drum, bearing, and suspension replacement are best left to trained specialists. They have the expertise and proper tools to efficiently remedy the issue.

Conclusion

While annoying, fixing washing machine vibration is usually an easy DIY task. Start by balancing the load and leveling the unit. Perform routine maintenance to extend the life of shocks and bearings. Call a professional for repairs beyond your skill level. With some basic troubleshooting, your washer can spin quietly for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my washing machine vibrate so much during spin cycles?

The most common cause of excessive vibration is an uneven distribution of laundry inside the drum. When clothes are bundled to one side, it creates significant imbalance as the drum spins rapidly.

Why does my empty washer shake violently?

If strong shaking only occurs when empty, it likely points to an internal component failure. Faulty tub bearings, bent drums, broken suspension rods can cause empty vibration.

Can vibration damage my washing machine over time?

Yes, chronic vibration places excessive force on components, which can lead to premature wear and tear or breakage. Get any imbalance issue fixed promptly before other damage occurs.

Should I only wash small loads to prevent vibration?

No, you don’t need to only wash small loads. You can wash regular sized loads in most cases. Just be diligent about balancing the distribution of clothes within the drum before starting the cycle.

Why does my washer “walk” across the floor when spinning?

A washing machine that shifts position or “walks” during spin cycles is almost always caused by improper leveling. Ensure all 4 feet are adjusted to the same height so the unit sits evenly.

When should I call repair professional about vibration?

If basic troubleshooting like balancing and leveling doesn’t reduce the shaking, contact a repair pro. Also call for assistance if you hear grinding noises or see any visible damage related to the vibration.

Conclusion

Excessive shaking and noise during spin cycles can be alarming, but washing machine vibration is usually an easy fix. Start by redistributing the load evenly and leveling all 4 feet. Perform routine maintenance and repairs to prevent problems. Call a technician for difficult repairs beyond your DIY skills. With proper care and troubleshooting, your washer will spin quietly for years to come.