Washer Shaking or Vibrating: Causes & Fixes

Vibration is a mechanical balance problem. Fix the installation before you replace any part — most shaking washers are simply sitting wrong.

Eight likely causes, most common first

1. Shipping bolts still installed. New machines ship with bolts locking the drum. They must come out.
2. Washer not level. Adjust the front feet until the machine cannot rock.
3. Weak or springy floor. A second-floor wood floor amplifies normal vibration.
4. Load unbalanced or too small. One towel in a big drum shakes hard.
5. Suspension rods worn. The drum hangs loose inside the cabinet.
6. Counterweight loose. The concrete block at the front of the drum works loose.
7. Drum bearing worn. Comes with a rumbling noise in spin.
8. Machine touching a wall or cabinet. Contact transmits vibration.

Work through it in this order

1. Stop the cycle. Press POWER once and wait for the drum to stop before you touch anything.
2. Unplug the machine. If it is hard-wired, switch the breaker off. Water and live wiring do not mix.
3. Shut both water valves at the wall if you will be touching hoses.
4. Check the free things first. Hose position, hose kinks, the load balance, and the level of the machine. These cost nothing and cover most cases.
5. Then check the accessible parts. Inlet screens, pump inlet and drain hose can be reached without opening the cabinet.
6. Only then consider a part. Match the part number to the model plate before ordering.

Parts commonly replaced for this

These are real manufacturer part numbers from models in our database, shown so you can see the part-number format and search for the one that matches your machine.

When to stop and call someone

• You smell burning or see scorch marks anywhere on the machine.
• The breaker trips when the washer starts.
• Water has reached the control console or any wiring.
• The repair needs the drum, transmission or tub seal opened.
• You are not comfortable working near water and mains voltage at the same time.

Other symptoms

• Washer Won't Drain: Causes & Fixes
• Washer Won't Spin: Causes & Fixes
• Washer Won't Fill: Causes & Fixes
• Washer Leaking Water: Causes & Fixes
• Washer Won't Start: Causes & Fixes
• Washer Lid Won't Unlock: Causes & Fixes
• Washer Smells Musty: Causes & Fixes

This guide covers washing machine faults generally. It is written for symptoms, so it applies even if you do not know your model number. Once you have the model, look it up for the exact part numbers and codes.