Washer Shaking Violently or Unbalanced Every Load?

A washer shaking hard in the spin cycle usually has one of three simple causes: an unbalanced load, a washer that is not level, or, on a new front-loader, shipping bolts that were never removed. You can fix all three yourself. When a level washer with a normal load still shakes, bangs or roars, worn suspension parts or tub bearings are the usual cause, and that is a repair.

Safety first: if the washer is shaking violently, stop the cycle before it walks into the wall or strains its hoses and cord. Unplug it and turn off both water valves before you tilt it, reach underneath or pull it away from the wall.

Washer shaking? Checks you can do yourself

1. Rebalance the load. Stop the cycle, open the washer and spread the laundry evenly. Whirlpool says not to pack the load tightly; clothes should move freely.
2. Rock the washer. Grip the top and rock it front to back, then side to side. Whirlpool says all four feet must be in firm contact with the floor, and Samsung says there should be a solid, firm connection at all four corners.
3. Level it. LG says to lay a level across the top and adjust the feet until the washer is level side to side and front to back. On Samsung washers, turning a foot clockwise raises that corner and counterclockwise lowers it.
4. Lock the feet. Once all four feet are firm, tighten the lock nuts (Whirlpool calls them jam nuts) up against the cabinet. Whirlpool says they must be tight against the bottom of the cabinet; a foot with a loose nut can creep as the washer vibrates.
5. On a new front-loader, check the shipping bolts (see below).
6. On a pedestal, Whirlpool says the mounting screws should be tight, the pedestal's feet firm on the floor, and the foot lock nut tight to the frame.

Unbalanced load every time

Load problems cause most shaking. Whirlpool says not to wash a single absorbent item, such as one rug, and to balance a single bulky item like a rug or a jean jacket with a few extra items. LG says its washers perform best loaded to about two-thirds of capacity. Samsung says to redistribute bulky items such as sheets by hand, or lower the spin speed.

When a washer senses an unbalanced load, it slows down, tries to even things out and may stop with a code:

• Samsung shows Ub (also UE or Ur) and says the load is unbalanced in the tub.
• LG shows UE and says to rearrange the items and restart.

Our guides to Samsung washer error codes and LG washer error codes cover the steps for each. Codes vary by model, so confirm yours in the owner's manual. If nearly every normal load ends in an unbalanced code on a level washer, the suspension is the likely cause.

Washer shaking violently during the spin cycle

Shaking is worst in the spin cycle because the drum is at full speed and any heavy spot gets flung outward. If the violent shaking happens only with comforters, rugs or a couple of towels, it is the load. If it happens with an ordinary mixed load on a level washer, or started suddenly and keeps getting worse, suspect worn parts. A washer that bangs its tub against the cabinet should not keep running, because the pounding wears other parts and can loosen hose connections.

Shipping bolts on a new front-loader

Front-loaders ship with bolts through the back that hold the tub still in transit. Whirlpool says all shipping materials must be removed or the washer will vibrate and make excessive noise. LG says failing to remove the bolts and retainers can cause severe vibration and noise that can permanently damage the washer.

Check yours before you reach for tools:

• Push on the drum. Samsung says that with the bolts removed, the drum feels like it is on springs, with a little give. If it feels like it is attached to a rock, the bolts are still in.
• Look at the back for the bolts. Samsung says to remove them with the supplied wrench, cover the holes with the supplied caps, and keep the bolts in case you move. LG also says to remove the bolts from the rear and cap the holes.
• Check underneath. LG says its front-loaders ship with a foam block under the tub; tilt the washer back to check, and remove it if it is still there.

If a new washer ran for a while with the bolts in and still shakes after they are out, have it checked.

Washer walking across the floor

A washer that walks is telling you its feet are not all carrying weight. Repeat the rock test and tighten the lock nuts. Then look at the floor:

• Whirlpool says to check the floor for flexing or sagging, and not to install a washer on a raised wooden platform.
• LG says the washer must sit on level, solid flooring.
• Samsung says the floor should be stable and free of damage, and recommends about an inch of space between the washer, the dryer and any wall.

A wood-framed floor that flexes lets the washer bounce even when it is perfectly level. Stiffening a floor is a job for a contractor, not an appliance technician.

What usually fails

• Suspension rods and springs (top-loaders). The tub hangs from them. When they wear, the tub swings and bangs the cabinet with normal loads, and unbalanced codes become constant.
• Shock absorbers, dampers and springs (front-loaders). They control how far the drum moves. Worn ones let the drum knock and the cabinet rock, often with a thud as the spin starts.
• Tub bearings. A roaring or rumbling noise that grows louder over weeks, worst on the spin, is the classic sign. It often follows a leaking tub seal, so check for water underneath too; see washer leaking from the bottom.
• Leveling feet. A stripped or broken foot will not hold its height.

What it costs in Jacksonville

The diagnostic is $79, and it is waived when you approve the repair. Washer repairs start at $179 plus parts, and a typical washer repair on a standard brand runs $200 to $400 all in. Premium brands run higher, and tub bearings and transmissions can exceed $450. You get a written flat-rate estimate before any work begins, many repairs can be finished on the first visit, and every repair carries our 90-day parts-and-labor warranty. See our pricing.

Repair or replace?

Suspension parts are usually worth replacing. Bearings on an older front-loader are a closer call: washers typically last 8 to 12 years, front-loaders toward the lower end, and a bearing job can exceed $450. Our rule of thumb is to replace when the repair costs more than half of a comparable new washer and the machine is past the midpoint of its expected life. Our repair-or-replace guide walks through the math.

Schedule washer repair or call (904) 561-4790 for same-day service across Jacksonville & the First Coast.