Washer Shaking or Walking Across the Floor?

A washer that shakes hard during spin is almost always one of four things: an uneven load, a washer that isn’t level, shipping bolts left in a new machine, or worn suspension parts. The first three you can fix yourself in a few minutes. Worn shocks, springs or a bad tub bearing need a repair.

If the shaking started after a single heavy load like a comforter, start with the load. If it’s been getting worse for months, it’s probably the suspension.

Common causes

Unbalanced load. One wet towel bunched on one side throws a front-loader way off at 1,200 RPM. Bath mats, rugs and single bulky items are the usual offenders. Most modern washers sense this and slow down or stop with a UB, UE or dC code.

Washer not level. Floors in older San Francisco Bay Area homes are rarely flat, and a washer on a slight slope will rock. If the feet aren’t locked with their nuts, they creep loose over time.

Shipping bolts still in. New front-loaders ship with bolts in the back to hold the tub still. If those weren’t removed, the machine will shake violently on its first spin.

Worn shock absorbers or dampers (front-loaders). These keep the tub from bouncing. When they wear, the tub knocks against the cabinet.

Broken suspension springs or rods (top-loaders). You’ll see the tub sitting lower on one side, or hear banging every spin.

Bad tub bearing. A loud roar or grinding during spin, often with rust streaks or a leak at the back. This is a bigger repair, and on older machines it’s where the repair-or-replace conversation starts.

Safe checks you can do

1. Redistribute the load. Stop the cycle, spread items out, and add a couple of towels to balance a heavy single item.
2. Check level. Put a level on top, front-to-back and side-to-side. Adjust the feet and tighten the lock nuts against the cabinet.
3. Rock test. Push on the corners. If it rocks, one foot isn’t touching.
4. Look for shipping bolts on a new machine. Your manual shows where they are.
5. Check a stacked unit. If it’s a stacked pair, make sure the stacking kit is installed and tight.
6. Look at the tub. With the washer empty, push down on the tub. It should bounce once and settle, not keep bouncing or thunk.

Washers on second floors or wood subfloors will always move more. An anti-vibration pad helps a little, but it won’t fix worn parts.

When to call a pro

Call if the washer is level and loaded right but still bangs, if the tub sits crooked, if you hear grinding or roaring on spin, or if you see a UB/UE/dC code on every load. Error codes are on our LG washer and Samsung washer pages. All that vibration loosens hose fittings, so check for drips too (washer leaking). We replace shocks, springs and bearings with OEM parts. More on our washer repair page.

Need a tech? Call (415) 585-5900 or text us, or book online. We’re licensed & insured and EPA certified, and we serve homes across the San Francisco Bay Area. Same-day service is often available. The $219 service call is free if you have us do the repair.

FAQ

Why does my washer only shake on the spin cycle?

Spin is when the drum turns fastest, so any imbalance in the load, leveling or suspension shows up there.

Can a shaking washer damage the floor?

Yes. A washer that walks can tear its hoses or hit the wall, and constant vibration can crack tile.

Is it worth fixing a washer that shakes?

Shocks and springs are usually a reasonable repair. A failed tub bearing on an older machine often isn’t. We’ll tell you which one it is before any money goes past the service call.

What does UB or UE mean on my washer?

Those are unbalanced-load codes on Samsung and LG. Rearrange the load and run spin again. If it shows up on every load, have it checked.