Why Does My Washing Machine Shake? [Washing Machine Repair Guide]
Why is my washing machine shaking so much?
Your washing machine is one of the most important appliances you can own, helping you to keep your clothes fresh and smelling like roses whilst at the same time saving you hours every time you require to wash your clothes. If you have a large family or need to do the laundry for lots of people in your household, you will know the pain of having to do regular washes however if your washing machine is causing you issues and not working as it should be you will begin to realise how much you depend on your washing machine on a day-to-day basis.
Therefore, if you notice that your washing machine is causing a racket and is causing your floorboards to start vibrating, you more than likely need to get it repaired. Whether your washing machine has randomly started shaking or it has been happening for some time, it is important to get it fixed.
If you were to leave a shaking washing machine to continue vibrating and making noise, not only will this cause more damage to your expensive laundry appliance which you will need to get repaired and even replaced with a new one but it will also cause damage to your property including any units, appliances and flooring nearby.
For this reason, it is important that you address the commotion that is happening every time you do the washing otherwise you could be causing yourself more problems in the future.
Throughout this article, we will provide you with the five most common reasons why your washing machine is shaking and some simple fixes on how to repair it. Please note that it is important to only do these repairs yourself if you are highly experienced in doing so. If you are unsure on how to make these repairs, we highly recommend that you get in contact with a local repair specialist.
Here at Sale Appliances Repairs, we offer next-day and sometimes same-day washing machine appliance repairs across the Southend-on-Sea and Chelmsford areas. To learn more about our washing machine repair service, speak to us on 01702 300010.
5 reasons why my washing machine is shaking
If you have noticed that your washing machine is shaking during cycles there are five common reasons as to why this occurring. These reasons include:
- Uneven load
- Transit bolts aren’t removed
- Pump filter is blocked
- Broken shock absorbers
- Uneven level of the washing machine
1. Uneven Load
If you notice that your washing machine will occasionally shake during the wash cycle, one of the most common reasons why this occurs is due to an uneven load and is a fairly simple fix. It will often happen when you attempt to wash heavy items in a single wash. For example, a large bedsheet or a few pairs of jeans can sometimes wrap together when soaked forming a large ball which bounces around the inside of your washing machine causing a shaking and thudding motion. As your washing machine attempts to spin, the articles inside your washing machine are bounced around hence the sudden shaking.
This issue can cause problems with your washing machine and can lead to damage and is something you need to be aware of when loading your washing machine. Although some newer machines can identify when the weight is too heavy or uneven and will pause the spin cycle; many washing machines don’t have this feature. For this reason, when loading your washing machine, ensure that the load is spread out, isn’t too heavy and that you also keep an ear out for any noise that may occur. If you notice any shaking, pause the spin cycle and manually unclump your washing as this will stop the shaking.
2. Transit Bolts Aren’t Removed
One of the most common problems that we notice when people complain that their new washing machine is shaking is due to the transit bolts not being removed. These bolts are used in the transportation of the washing machine to ensure they are transported safely with no damage to the drum. These bolts keep the drum safely and securely in place. Therefore, when getting the washing machine to be installed, you need to make sure these are removed before placing the machine into a cycle.
However, sometimes this is forgotten about leading to people attempting to run the cycle. If you forget to remove these, as the drum begins to spin it will cause a loud noise and your washing machine will begin to shake violently. This can cause serious damage to not only the washing machine itself but the flooring beneath the washing machine too. To fix this issue, make sure you do not run your washing machine until the bolts have been removed. To remove them simply unscrew them on either side.
3. Pump Filter Is Blocked
Sometimes a hard item can get stuck within the pump filter causing a loud noise and making your washing machine shake and vibrate. The pump filter is important because it can catch foreign objects so that they don’t block up the washing machine drain hose. It is located in the bottom right side of your washing machine and will catch items such as coins, debris and buttons.
To fix this issue, all you need to do is remove the items that are clogged within the pump filter. To do this, open the pump filter cover and look for a hose. If you are unsure where this is located, please refer back to the washing machine manual. From here look for a hose and unplug it whilst waiting for all the water to run off. If you don’t see a hose pull the filter anti-clockwise and pull it out. Next, you can remove any dirt, coins or buttons from, the filter and give it a rinse under the tap to clear it. Once the filter cavity is all clear, secure it back and your washing machine should stop shaking.
4. Broken Shock Absorbers
All front-load washing machines have a shock absorber that is used to reduce the tub movement during a spin cycle. If you have a shaking washer it may be due to the shock absorbers being damaged. These shock absorbers are attached to the base frame and to the outer tub meaning you will need to remove the front panel of the washing machine to get access to repair this.
Typically when shock absorbers become weak or damaged they will cause an unbalanced load leading to a shaking washer that produces a loud banging sound during each cycle. To fix this, unplug your machine; locate the shock absorbers using the washing machine manual and look for any signs of a broken attachment, weakened dampening action or leaking fluids. If you notice any of the issues mentioned, you will need to replace the shock absorbers. The easiest way to do this is by getting in contact with a local appliance repair expert who will be able to identify the issues at hand and complete an efficient and comprehensive repair.
5. Uneven Level Of The Washing Machine
An uneven washing machine can cause your washing machine to shake. If you notice that with every load and cycle your washing machine is shaking and vibrating then the machine is most likely uneven. If your washing machine is off balance and not lined up evenly it will begin to shake especially as the speed increases during the cycle.
To identify and fix this issue, first check whether your washing machine is level by placing a spirit level above it. If that shows as not level you will need to adjust the legs of the machine. To do this, leave the level above the machine to measure the evenness and manually twist each leg of the machine until the level is even.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you should now have a clear idea of why your washing machine is shaking and some easy repair tips on how to fix this. If you notice that your washing machine is shaking, it is important that you stop the cycle immediately and don’t use your washing machine until it is repaired. If you continue to use your machine whilst it vibrates it can cause serious problems to not only your appliance but also to your units and flooring too.
In order to avoid this, we highly recommend that you get in contact with a local appliance repair expert who will be able to help identify the issue at hand and ensure that a repair takes place efficiently and effectively.
If you are in search of reputable and affordable washing machines repairs in the Southend-on-Sea and Chelmsford area; look no further than Sale Appliances Repairs.
We offer fast and affordable repairs on washing machines and laundry appliances across the Southend-on-Sea and Chelmsford areas. Get in contact with a member of the team on 01702 300010 and book in your washing machine repair today. We offer next-day and sometimes even same-day fridge repairs in the Southend-on-Sea and Chelmsford area. Get in contact today and book your repair now.
