Why Is My Washing Machine Vibrating Excessively?
All washing machines vibrate during the spin cycle — that's normal. But excessive vibration, loud banging, or a machine that walks across the floor is a sign something is wrong. Here are the most common causes and what you can do about each one.
1. The Machine Is Not Level
Most common cause. If your washing machine isn't sitting perfectly level, it will wobble and vibrate during the spin cycle, especially at high speeds. This is the first thing to check.
How to fix it:
- Use a spirit level to check if the machine is level front-to-back and side-to-side
- All four feet should be in firm contact with the floor
- Adjust the front feet by turning them clockwise (down) or anticlockwise (up) until the machine is level
- Some models have self-adjusting rear feet that adjust when you push the back down
- Tighten the locknuts on the feet once you're satisfied with the level
2. Overloaded Drum
Too much laundry in the drum causes an unbalanced load, which creates severe vibration during the spin cycle. The load can't redistribute evenly and the machine runs out of balance.
How to fix it: Remove some items and restart the cycle. Check your machine's rated capacity and don't exceed it. For a 7kg machine, that means 7kg of dry laundry.
3. Unbalanced Load
Even within capacity, some loads are naturally unbalanced — a single heavy item like a quilt or a pair of jeans can spin unevenly because the weight can't distribute across the drum.
How to fix it: Pause the cycle, open the door, and manually redistribute the load more evenly. Add a few more items if the drum is very empty. For heavy items, wash a matching heavy item alongside to balance the load.
4. Transport Bolts Still Installed
New washing machines come with transport bolts at the back to stabilise the drum during shipping. If these haven't been removed, your machine will vibrate severely during every wash.
How to fix it: Check the back of your machine. If you see 3–4 large bolts, remove them before use. Keep them in case you ever need to move the machine again. This is in every washing machine manual but is frequently overlooked.
5. Worn Shock Absorbers or Suspension Springs
Inside your washing machine are shock absorbers and suspension springs that dampen drum movement during the spin cycle. After many years of use, these components can wear out, causing excessive vibration and noise.
Symptoms: Machine has worked fine for years but recently started vibrating more than usual. Load balancing doesn't help.
How to fix it: This requires a service call. A technician can replace the shock absorbers or springs. The fix is usually worthwhile on machines under 8 years old; older than that, consider replacement.
6. Worn Drum Bearings
Drum bearings allow the drum to spin smoothly. When they wear out, you'll hear a loud rumbling or grinding sound during the spin cycle, often accompanied by vibration.
Symptoms: Loud grinding noise during spin. The noise gets worse over time.
How to fix it: This is a repair job for a technician. Bearing replacement is moderately expensive (typically $200–$400 including labour) but worthwhile if the machine is relatively new. Older machines may not be worth the repair cost.
7. The Floor Is Soft or Springy
Older homes with timber floors or flexible surfaces can amplify vibration from an otherwise well-functioning washing machine.
How to fix it:
- Place a heavy-duty anti-vibration mat under the machine
- Anti-vibration feet (rubber pads) can also help
- Some households install a solid plywood base under the machine
8. Machine Needs Recalibration
Some front-load washing machines can lose their calibration, causing the machine to misread load balance. This is more common on Samsung machines.
How to fix it: Run a calibration cycle. For Samsung machines, hold Start/Pause and Delay End simultaneously for 3 seconds with an empty drum — the machine runs a brief self-calibration. Check your manual for other brands.
When to Call a Technician or Replace
If you've checked all of the above and the vibration persists, it's time for a service call. If the machine is over 8–10 years old and showing multiple symptoms, the repair cost may exceed the machine's value — in that case, replacement with a new or ex-display model may be the better investment.
Oceania Appliances stocks quality washing machines from $400 upwards. Free delivery across Sydney. Contact us if you need advice on what to replace your machine with.