SHAKING OR WALKING

Washing machine vibrating? Check the shipping bolts, the feet and the load.

Check these in order

1. Confirm the shipping bolts are out (front-loaders). Whirlpool: they are not a permanent part of the washer and must be removed after installation. LG: open the door and push the tub forward and back; if it moves, the bolts are out, and the holes get the provided caps. GE: if the drum will not move when you press it through the open door, they are likely still in. Samsung says front-loaders have four, three or seven (FlexWash) bolts and top-loaders have none.
2. Set all four feet firm. Whirlpool: grip the top and rock the washer front to back and side to side, adjust the leveling feet, then tighten the jam nuts tight against the bottom of the cabinet. LG: press on the diagonal corners and rock. GE: keep the legs as short as possible, because longer legs make the washer shakier.
3. Check the floor and the surroundings. Whirlpool says to check the floor for flexing or sagging and not to install on a raised wooden platform; for an unstable floor, reinforce the area or use a washer vibration pad. Samsung wants at least 1 in between the washer, the dryer and the walls, and says some vibration is expected on a pedestal or carpet.
4. Check the load. Whirlpool: avoid packing the load tightly, add a few items to a single bulky piece such as a rug or jean jacket, and mix items so heavy ones sit around lighter ones. For top-loaders: spread items in loose heaps around the agitator, do not wash a single absorbent item, and do not fill above the top row of holes in the basket. Samsung: a small load is 3 to 5 lb and a large one 6 to 16 lb, and do not wash floor mats, pillows or dog houses.
5. If it starts mid-wash. LG says to pause, noting that the unit manually drains after 4 minutes, then reposition the laundry and restart. GE says to run rinse and spin with no load: if the vibration is normal, the load was the cause.
6. Front-loaders: look at the drain pump. GE says a clogged pump with loose items or pet hair can make a washer shake. If your model has a front access door at the bottom, clean the pump as your manual or GE’s video shows.

What is normal

Samsung says a small vibration at the start of a cycle is weight sensing. GE says movement up to a quarter inch can be normal on occasion when the load is out of balance. Anything larger or constant is worth the checks above.

If it comes back

If the bolts are out, the feet are firm and the load is balanced, and it still shakes, the makers send you to service (LG: a proper diagnosis; GE: a repair may be needed). Tell service:

• The brand, model number (where to find it) and the type of floor.
• Whether the shaking happens empty, with a small load, or only with bulky items.
• That you checked the shipping bolts, all four feet, level and the load.

Private tools: prepare a Service Brief → or save a washer log →. Compare the cost of a repair with replacement in the repair-or-replace calculator.