A washing machine that bangs, shakes, or walks across the floor on the spin cycle is almost always an unbalanced load, and most of the time you can fix it yourself in a couple of minutes. Here is how to rebalance a washer, why it happens, and the few cases where it is a repair rather than a quick fix.
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The quick answer
Most of the time an off-balance washing machine just needs the load redistributed and the machine levelled. Open the door, spread the wet laundry evenly around the drum, and make sure the machine sits level with all four feet firmly on the floor. If it still shakes hard after that, the cause is usually worn suspension parts (shock absorbers or springs), and that is a repair.
How to fix an off-balance washing machine, step by step
- Stop the cycle and redistribute the load. Spread the laundry evenly around the drum. Never spin a single heavy item on its own, one bath towel, a bath mat, or a hoodie will throw any washer off balance.
- Don’t overload or underload. Both cause imbalance. Aim for the drum around three-quarters full, with room for the clothes to move.
- Level the machine. Check all four feet are on the floor and none are spinning free. Adjust the levelling feet until the machine does not rock, put a spirit level on top, then tighten the lock nuts so the feet cannot drift.
- Check the floor. A soft or uneven floor amplifies the shaking. A sheet of plywood under the machine can steady it on a bouncy floor.
- Look for shipping bolts. If the washer was recently installed, the transit bolts on the back may still be in place. They must be removed, or the drum cannot move and the machine will shake hard.
Why does my washing machine become unbalanced?
The everyday causes are an uneven or single-item load, overloading, or a machine that is not level. The mechanical causes are worn shock absorbers or suspension springs and, less often, worn drum bearings. If you have levelled the machine and evened the load and it still bangs on spin, the suspension is the usual suspect, especially on a front loader.
When it is a repair, not a quick fix
If the machine is level and the load is even but it still shakes violently or bangs on the spin cycle, the suspension has usually worn out. Shock absorbers or suspension rods run $180 to $330, and worn drum bearings run $350 to $600. A loud metal-on-metal bang usually means the shocks; a grinding rumble that gets louder over weeks usually means the bearings. Book our washer repair in Grand Rapids and we will price your exact fault upfront before we start.
Washer repair · same-day in Grand Rapids · upfront pricing
Frequently asked questions
Why is my washing machine shaking violently on the spin cycle?
Start with an unbalanced load, redistribute the laundry and make sure the machine is level. If it still shakes hard after that, the shock absorbers or suspension springs have usually worn out and need replacing.
How do you rebalance a washing machine yourself?
Stop the cycle, spread the wet laundry evenly around the drum, and level the machine so all four feet sit firmly on the floor. Avoid spinning a single heavy item on its own.
What does the UB or unbalanced error mean?
The washer detected an uneven load and stopped the spin to protect itself. Open the door, redistribute the laundry evenly, close it and restart the cycle.
Is it bad to keep using an unbalanced washing machine?
Yes. A washer that bangs on every spin puts stress on the bearings, suspension and even the floor, and a cheap fix now prevents an expensive one later.
How much does it cost to fix a washer that will not stop shaking?
If it is the suspension, shock absorbers or rods run $180 to $330. Worn drum bearings run $350 to $600. We give you the price upfront before any work.