Washing Machine Vibrating Excessively or Walking?
Is your washer shaking violently or moving across the floor? Learn causes and solutions.
Washer Shaking the Whole House?
Does your washing machine vibrate so violently during the spin cycle that it shakes the room or even "walks" across the floor? Excessive vibration is not only annoying but can also damage the machine itself or your flooring over time. This usually points to an issue with load balance, leveling, or the machine's suspension system.
Potential Causes (Brief Overview)
- Unbalanced load: The most frequent cause, especially with heavy or absorbent items.
- Machine is not level.
- Shipping bolts/materials not removed (on new installations).
- Weak or damaged flooring underneath the washer.
- Worn out or broken suspension rods or shock absorbers.
- Loose counterweights (less common).
Important: While checking leveling and load balance is straightforward, diagnosing and replacing suspension components requires disassembly.
Before calling for repair, try these basic troubleshooting steps for a vibrating washing machine. Simple adjustments often fix the problem.
Why Professional Diagnosis May Be Needed
- Inspecting Suspension: Requires opening the cabinet to check suspension rods (top-loaders) or shock absorbers (front-loaders) for damage or detachment.
- Component Access: Reaching suspension parts involves careful disassembly.
- Identifying Floor Issues: Determining if the floor structure itself is contributing to the vibration.
- Safety Risks: Working inside the machine carries electrical risks if not unplugged. Broken suspension can cause sudden movements.
If leveling the machine and balancing loads doesn't stop excessive vibration or walking, the suspension system likely needs professional inspection and repair. Continuing to use a violently shaking machine can cause further damage.
Stop the Shaking - Get Expert Washer Help!
Tired of your washing machine dancing across the floor? Connect with a local, qualified technician to diagnose and fix the vibration issue.