If your washing machine is shaking or making more noise than usual during a cycle, this could be due to a number of reasons. In this article, we're going to help you get to the bottom of the issue and fix it yourself.
How to prevent a washing machine from shaking and spinning noisily step by step
To find out how to diagnose and fix your noisy washer, take a look at our video or read the step by step guide below.
Safety First!
Before you carry out any work, make sure your washing machine is switched off and completely disconnected from the mains.
Check 1: Is your washing machine level?
If your machine is rocking from side to side or front to back then this indicates that it is not level. To fix this, you will need to adjust the feet at the bottom of the appliance.
Most manufacturers have adjustable feet underneath the appliance. To adjust them, get someone to help you tilt the washing machine on its side to keep it stable. Then, simply twist the feet until your machine is level again.
Check 2: Unbalanced load
If you have an unbalanced load in your washing machine, this can also cause your machine to shake and spin loudly. An unbalanced load can occur when you have a heavier item, such as a towel, in with lighter items, such as socks and underwear. The heavier item will mean the drum struggles to stay balanced throughout the cycle and will cause loud noises and shaking in your machine and can even result in damage.
To show you how an unbalanced load affects your machine, watch the video at the top of the page. Here, we have taken the lid off the machine so you can see and hear the effects an unbalanced load has on your washer. Never take the top off during a cycle at home, as we have only done so to show you what is happening inside the machine.
To prevent unbalanced loads from happening, make sure you wash multiple heavier items such as jeans, jumpers and towels together in the same wash.
Check 3: Bearings
Another reason why your washing machine could be making loud noises is faulty bearings. To check this, run your machine on an empty spin cycle. If it makes a grinding noise or is shaking excessively, the bearings are most likely causing the problem. For advice on how to replace washing machine bearings, check out our article here.
We hope this has helped you get to the bottom of why your washing machine is shaking and spinning noisily and you have been able to fix the problem.
Another way to keep your washer spinning as it should and prevent it from developing faults is to make sure it is working as safely as possible. Check out our article which has some important safety checks for your washing machine to ensure your appliance and home are as safe as possible.
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