Washing Machine Shaking or Banging During Spin
Excessive movement usually comes from an unbalanced load, poor leveling, shipping bolts, or worn suspension parts.
⚠️
Before you startUse only the checks you can perform safely. Disconnect power before homeowner-serviceable cleaning or inspection. Stop when a repair involves gas, exposed wiring, high voltage, a roof, structural components, or anything outside your experience.
Common signs
- Washer walks across the floor
- Loud banging during spin
- Machine vibrates much more than before
Most likely causes
1. Unbalanced load
Heavy items can collect on one side of the drum.
2. Washer not level
One loose or high foot can amplify vibration.
3. Shipping bolts still installed
New front-load washers must have transport hardware removed.
4. Worn suspension or bearings
Persistent shaking with normal loads may indicate internal wear.
Safe checks to try first
- Pause the cycle and redistribute heavy items evenly.
- Confirm all four feet contact the floor firmly.
- Use a level on top of the washer and adjust feet if needed.
- For a recently installed front-loader, verify shipping bolts were removed.
When to call a professional
Call a technician if the drum has excessive play, grinding noise, or severe vibration continues with small balanced loads.
Bottom line
Start with the simplest visible cause, change one thing at a time, and avoid repeated resets or disassembly when a safety device keeps tripping. A recurring problem usually deserves a proper diagnosis rather than a temporary workaround.