Is your washing machine vibrating, rattling, or thumping when spinning? While it is normal for the washer of any model to vibrate a little, something beyond it is a clear sign that there is a problem.
Fortunately, you can fix this problem by making some minor adjustments.
In this article, we shall discuss the common triggers that cause your washing machine to shake like crazy. And, let us also explore the possible ways to troubleshoot them at home.
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How to Stop Your Washing Machine from Vibrating?
Before we get started, let us first try to understand the several causes that make your washing machine vibrate excessively.
1. Shipping Bolts
One of the most common causes of washing machine vibration is the shipping bolts. These are plastic bolts inserted into the back of the machine to prevent damage to internal components during transportation and installation. However, you should remove them after installing and before using the device.
Failure to remove the shipping bolts may cause severe vibration and noise of the machine, which can even lead to permanent damage.
How to Remove Shipping Bolts?
This is how you can check for the bolts and remove them:
- Flip the machine to locate coloured bolts attached to the rear end of your device.
- Use a wrench that comes with your washer to remove the shipping bolts.
- Loosen them by turning them in the anticlockwise direction.
- After loosening, pull them out.
Solution – Remove Shipping Bolts
2. Unbalanced Appliance
The other cause that is making your washing machine to vibrate is the unlevelled feet of the appliance. While it may look that the device is at level, it is not. To fix it, firstly check for the floor level and ensure it is proper. If it is not, adjust the machine’s feet and check for the level, until your device achieves a perfect levelling.
How to Level your Appliance?
Follow the below steps to learn how to balance the machine. But before that, make sure the washer is in its place and it is empty.
Step 1: Loosen the Locking Nuts.
As a first step, loosen the locking nuts of the washer (both front and back) using a wrench of the right size.
Step 2: Adjust Leg Height.
The second step is to adjust the legs of the machine. Turn the legs by moving them clockwise or anticlockwise to lower or raise the device, respectively. Adjust the height of the front legs as needed to level the front part of the washer. And, now, move to the back to adjust the rear legs.
Step 3: Tighten the Locking Nuts.
After you finish levelling the washing machine, lock the legs by tightening the locking nuts. Use a wrench, as mentioned in step one, to tighten the nuts of all four feet of the device.
Solution – Fix the Level
3. Unbalanced Load
Excessive vibration of the machine can also be due to an unbalanced load in the washer. An underloaded or over-loaded washing machine can vibrate excessively. Hence, it is necessary to ensure the even distribution of load inside the drum.
How to Balance the Load?
If the washer is underloaded, make sure you add some more clothes to it to achieve a balanced load. If it is over-loaded, it is best advisable to remove some clothes from the tub and put them in the second wash cycle.
Avoid the below to eliminate vibration:
- Avoid loading single items.
- Avoid bulky comforters as they can hug to one side of the machine and cause an off-balance.
- Avoid placing the tangled load in the washer.
- Avoid mixing heavy items with light items. Always wash several items with similar weight.
Solution – Balance the Load
4. Unstable or Shaky Floor
An unstable or shaky floor could be another reason for excessive vibration. If your floor shakes when walking, then the problem is with the floor, itself, and not the machine. While this is a rare case, it is essential to look for the surface before positioning the appliance.
How to Fix This?
We all know that washing machines are not lightweight devices. Hence, they need a solid and sturdy ground surface to sit on. If the floor is not strong enough, it is likely to impact the performance of the machine. So, ensure the floor is not shaky. If it is, try providing possible floor support by placing plywood under the appliance. You can even change the placement of the device to a stronger base that is not unstable.
Solution – Provide a Stable Floor For the Machine
5. Machine Vibrates and Wiggle from its Place During High-Speed Spin Cycles
Sometimes, your washing machine may vibrate despite having no problem. During high-speed spin cycles, the device tends to wiggle a bit when the drum spins. This is something very normal, and you do not have to worry about.
How to Minimize the Vibration?
You can reduce the effect and sound of the vibration by applying anti-vibrating pads to the sides of the washer. These pads are nothing but mats made of moulded rubber. These are specially designed for washing machines to minimize the vibration that causes nearby objects or appliances to shake.
Anti-walking pads are specific pads that are essentially for placing them under the feet of the machine. These pads provide an excellent grip to the vibrating device and prevent it from wiggling from its position.
Solution – Apply Anti-Vibration Washing Machine Pads
6. Shock Absorbers
Another contributing factor for the washing machine vibration is the shock absorbers. All washers have shock absorbers that moderate the drum movement in the spin cycle. You can find them attached to the base frame and outer drum of the appliance. Any damage to the shock absorbers will cause your device to shake and thump during the spin cycle.
How to Inspect the Shock Absorbers?
Follow the below steps to check whether the shock absorbers of your machine became weak or broken:
- Unplug the device.
- Locate the shock absorbers in your washing machine. Depending on the model you have, you will have to remove the front panel or rear panel to access them.
- After locating them, inspect the shock absorbers. Check for wear off signs like broken attachments, leaking fluids, etc.
- If you find any of the above signs, replace your shock absorbers immediately.
Contact a professional if you cannot locate the shock absorbers or inspect them.
Solution – Replace the Shock Absorbers
7. Seek Professional Help
If none of the above hacks seem to be working, it is time to get some professional assistance. A shaky machine can eventually damage the device.
Conclusion
Wrapping up, keeping your washing machine happy is very crucial. Try the above recommendations if you observe your tremors in your device beyond the range. Never hesitate to seek the help of an expert if you cannot fix it yourself.
Let us know in the comments section below if you find this information helpful. If you ever tried any of the above troubleshoot methods, do let us know your experiences. We would be happy to hear from you.
