Washing Machine Shaking Violently? 4 Reasons Why

Does it feel and sound like a train is crashing into your home whenever you wash your clothes? If your washing machine is shaking violently when you run a load of laundry, it's essential to determine the problem to avoid making the situation worse. Regardless of the type of washing machine your household relies on, the issue could be as simple as an unbalanced load or as complex as failed components within the appliance. 

1. Unbalanced Load

The most common reason a washing machine shakes during the spin cycle is that the laundry load inside is out of balance. The shaking can often be violent enough to make the washer move across the floor. This problem is common, especially when trying to wash a large comforter, sheets, pillows, or extra-bulky clothing. However, it can also happen with almost any type of mixed load. 

How to Fix It

To fix an unbalanced load, pause the machine and redistribute the contents. Redistributing the load simply means evenly portioning your articles around the drum for top-loading machines. 

Front-loading machines can also run into unbalanced load situations that are trickier to remedy. This usually happens when articles in the load become entangled with one another. To redistribute the items, take them out of the machine, untangle them, put them back in, and restart the machine where it left off.  

Another issue might be that there are simply too many things in the machine. In this case, removing several items will make it easier to distribute the load evenly. Even modern impeller washers with extra capacity have load-size limits. 

2. Machine Out of Level

If your washing machine consistently shakes violently during the spin cycle, regardless of the type and size of the laundry load, there could be a simple mechanical solution. Your laundry machine rests on four feet or a base that has at least four feet. 

These feet are adjustable, which is excellent, except when they move without your knowledge. Normal vibrations can loosen the locking nuts that hold the feet in place over time. When the feet move, your machine can fall out of level. 

How to Fix It

Lay a carpenter's level or torpedo level across the top of your washing machine, front to back, and then side to side. If the level bubble lands outside of the level lines, adjust the height of your washer's feet. You can also check to see if all the feet are working together by gently rocking the machine from side to side. If it rocks, the feet need attention. 

Use pliers to adjust one foot at a time on the machine and check for level between each adjustment. Continue to each subsequent foot until the machine is level and doesn't rock when you nudge it. Remember to tighten the lock nuts when complete. 

3. Shipping Bolts

If your washing machine is brand new and it shakes straight out of the box, one or more of the shipping bolts that secure the drum in transit may still be present. 

How to Fix It

If the shipping bolts are still on your machine, you'll see them on the back of the appliance. They look like regular bolts. However, there will be a label either on the machine or the bolts themselves. Use a wrench or socket wrench to remove them by turning them counterclockwise. Save the transit bolts, as you may need to reinstall them if you ever move the washing machine.  

4. Mechanical Failure

There are plenty of moving parts in your washing machine, any of which can fail over time. When the part that fails is attached to the machine's rotating drum, like the various shock absorbers, retaining springs, bearings, and wear pads, depending on your machine type, the result can be violent shaking. 

How to Fix It

Check for mechanical failure in your washing machine by gently manipulating and rotating the drum by hand or by running an empty wash cycle. If the machine makes grinding, scraping, or thumping sounds during your test, it's time to call for professional repairs. Washing machine repairs cost between $125 and $450 on average.

When to Call a Pro

If, after trying the simple fixes for a violently shaking washing machine, you're still experiencing the condition, a more in-depth repair is necessary. While DIY washing machine repairs are possible, the task requires specialized knowledge. Most homeowners call a local and qualified repair technician to handle the situation.