Vibrating Washing Machine – causes and solutions

A vibrating washing machine can be a source of entertainment or a cause for concern for many. We’ve broken down a list of causes and solutions for you to read and decide what your next step is. It can look like your washing machine is doing a little dance, having a great time with a mind of its own. You’re not concerned but be honest. Have you ever seen it do this in the advertisements? The answer is likely not. If your microwave started vibrating on the counter, would you laugh it off? I doubt it.

Causes of your vibrating washing machine

Levelling

Most washing machines have automated/self levelling feet. If it doesn’t it will have manually adjustable feet to level the machine correctly. A vibrating washing machine can be caused by an incorrectly levelled foot, which is by far the least concerning cause as all you’ll need to fix this is a spirit level and alter the legs to sit correctly levelled.

Stacking kit

Stacked washing machines tend to come with a stacking kit. Once set up, the stacking kit keeps the entire unit stable. Installing without using the stacking kit will cause problems, stacked machines will vibrate due to instability. This is most likely during the spin cycles. You want to watch out for this. If a stacked washer is not installed properly with the stacking kit, it may not be covered by a warranty. This is however not always the case.

Unbalanced loads

An unbalanced load refers to a load of washing which might for some reason stick to one side of the drum. This may cause the machine to either incorrectly measure the weight of the load, or cause an imbalance causing the machine to vibrate. An example is a large wet towel stuck to one side of the drum. Other items like blankets and duvets will cause the same problem. Avoid putting wet items in the machine with dry items to prevent this. If it is unavoidable, try to place more towels or blankets in the machine to balance the weight.

Anti-Vibration products for your vibrating washing machine

Products such as stability platforms and anti-vibration pads are available to buy to help prevent your machine from vibrating. The way these products offer a successful solution is by creating a stable level for the machine to operate on. The only pitfall for platforms is their price, and if stability isn’t the issue causing the vibration then the price might not be worth it. Start by testing out some anti-vibration pads, they’re cheaper and tend to be a good solution to the problem. They work in a similar way creating a stable level for the vibrating washing machine.

Not every washing machine is the same. This means that no problem with any given machine is identical to the next. Some machines tend to do a little dance more frequently than others, and although it can be a sign of a serious problem it is likely not a big issue. Some newer machines have anti-vibration features and for those living in communal buildings like apartment blocks this is an advisable purchase.

Solutions to your vibrating washing machine

Step 1: Unbalanced load

Figure out what is causing the problem. As mentioned previously the causes for this are most likely to be either an unbalanced load or a poorly set up washing machine. Stop the machine and open it up to see if there are more clothes on one side of the drum or agitator. If that’s the problem, move the clothes around and try to spread them as evenly as possible.

Step 2: Shipping bolts

If step one is inconclusive, the next thing to check is the shipping bolts on the rear of the machine. If the shipping bolts are still attached, this is likely the culprit of your machine with a boogie. To check this, you need to open the door of your front-load machine and push against the drum. If the drum does not move vertically, the likelihood is that the bolts have not been removed. If the bolts have been removed correctly, the drum should move slightly downward with low pressure placed on it. Once your hand has been removed from the drum it should spring back up slightly into position.

Step 3: Increase stability

If you have the space to do so, try to tilt your washer. If the machine wobbles as you do this, tighten the screws on the bottom of the machine to increase stability and the issue should be resolved.

Step 4: Re-levelling

If for whatever reason the machine is still doing its jig when it hits the spin cycle, try re-levelling the machine and trying again.

Step 5: Call in a professional washing machine repair company

Turn the machine on and test to see if the problem is resolved. If the issue is not fixed by this point, we’d advise calling a professional to have a look at the machine for you. Please call Repair Aid customer service team if you need an advise and to discuss your issue with one of our helpful washing machine repair experts.