What to do if the washing machine vibrates a lot

Washing clothes nowadays is not difficult. All the once manual work has been taken over by equipment that washes, rinses and spins clothes, and all this quickly and almost silently. Nevertheless, many users are familiar with the situation when the washing machine vibrates strongly during the spin cycle.

Strong vibration may be a sign of a serious problem with your washing machine.

This fact causes irritation among household members, but we should also not forget that in some cases it indicates the presence of serious malfunctions in the device. Sometimes user inaction can lead to serious damage to expensive equipment beyond repair. In this article, we will help you figure out why the washing machine jumps during the spin cycle, and we will tell you how to eliminate this inconvenience.

Visual inspection

First of all, it is necessary to do an external inspection of the machine and its location. The unit must be installed on a hard, level surface. It is unacceptable to install the machine on carpet or any other soft surfaces. If it is not possible to install the machine on a surface with the specified parameters, you need to make a special tray.

The machine must stand absolutely level, this can be easily achieved with the help of adjustable legs - set them level. You should also pay attention to the legs themselves. They usually have a rubber lining that is designed to soften vibrations. If the gasket is damaged, it should be replaced.

If everything is in order outwardly, then it’s worth looking “under the hood.” There are many reasons for excessive vibrations, let’s consider the possible options.

Typical reasons for different machine models

There are some characteristic features of different models of washing machines that themselves cause vibration and can be mistaken for malfunctions. For example, cars with a metal tank vibrate much more than cars with a plastic tank.

Many budget models are characterized by poor distribution of items during washing, resulting in strong vibration during the spin cycle.

The design of the machine body and the material of its manufacture also influence the level of vibration. In budget models, the thickness of the metal is less, due to which the resistance of the body to deformation is reduced and the machine literally begins to ride on the floor during the spin cycle.

Damper failure

Dampers or shock absorbers are designed to smooth out vibrations that occur during washing. Their condition is easy to check. To do this, you need to open the loading hatch door and try to pull the tank towards you, and then release it. If it falls into place, the shock absorbers are ok. If this is the reason, then the tank begins to oscillate unnaturally.

Most often damaged are the linings that extend from the tank and flow around its tubes. The linings are strongly pressed to these elements using special U-shaped rods. The rods themselves are attached to the washer tank.

To replace broken linings, you need to unscrew the bolts that secure the damper to the body of the main unit. Then remove the defective covers and put new ones in their place. To install, you will need to unclench the shoulders of the metal rods, place the lining and bring them together again.

The replacement process is complicated by the fact that manufacturers do not produce individual parts for shock absorbers of washing machines, so choosing a suitable lining is problematic. It is most advisable to replace the shock absorbers with new ones; moreover, their price is low.

The washing machine is shaking: what you can do yourself

In half of the cases, vibration is not associated with a breakdown, and the cause can be eliminated yourself. This is what makes the washer jump.

• Overload of laundry. It is not for nothing that the instructions indicate the maximum weight for each type of laundry. The habit of filling the entire drum with laundry often leads to overload. For example, woolen items absorb a lot of water, so while the machine can handle the wash, when spinning, a large mass of items that have absorbed water begins to strongly rock the tank. And the counterweight does not dampen vibration. Therefore, the washing machine jumps, shakes, perhaps does not pick up speed and does not spin out the laundry well. Look at the norm for different types of fabric and washing modes. Load the SMA according to the instructions.

• Linen imbalance. To prevent the machine from vibrating too much, it must be loaded evenly. Items must match each other in weight or size. When the laundry varies greatly, the SMA cannot distribute it evenly throughout the drum during spinning. Uneven loading prevents the drum from gaining momentum and causes vibration. To solve the problem, wash items of approximately equal weight at the same time.

• Transport bolts. The new washing machine is shaking due to shipping bolts that they forgot to remove. The fastener holds the tank in a fixed position so that during transportation it does not accidentally damage the parts and components of the machine. If you forgot to remove the bolts when installing the SMA, then the washing machine cannot compensate for the vibration of the drum, and it shakes noticeably during the spin cycle and even during the wash cycle. The fasteners must be removed so that the springs and shock absorbers dampen the vibrations of the tank. Otherwise, the shaking will damage the tank, and you will end up with expensive repairs.

• Uneven installation. A washing machine that is standing crookedly shakes even when washing, and when spinning, it jumps and crawls forward or to the side. You can level the washer by twisting the legs.

• Smooth and slippery floor. On slippery surfaces the car will drive and jump like a skater. Rubber mats and foot pads help reduce vibration and keep equipment in place.

You've checked the bolts on your new SMA, aligned the legs, and even installed a mat, but the car still shakes when it spins. This means that the reason is a malfunction and the help of a specialist is needed.

Loosening the counterweights

Counterweights are attached directly to the tank of the machine at the top and bottom. There are two types of counterweights used in washing machines:

• Plastic;
• Concrete.

Problems most often arise with concrete counterweights because they crumble over time. Also, due to constant vibration, the fastening bolts may become loose. The counterweights can be accessed by removing the top and front covers of the machine. If the problem is in the bolts, then you just need to tighten them. If the counterweight bursts, then it must be replaced with a similar one. Increased vibration is the main reason for rapid wear of washing machine parts.

Malfunctions

In many cases, the cause of vibration is a malfunction that needs to be diagnosed in advance. The main types of breakdowns that cause shaking of the washing machine:

• Bearing failure.
• Failure of the counterweight.
• Bearing wear.
• The electric motor is faulty.
• Foreign objects.
• Shock absorbers are faulty.
• Problems in the operation of the electric motor.

Important! A significant part of the listed breakdowns involves disassembling the device, which requires certain skills. You should not undertake repairing a washing machine if you have never worked with equipment before.

In case of serious breakdowns, it is better to entrust the repair of the washing machine to a specialist

Uneven distribution of laundry

The reason for strong vibration may be trivial and lie in the uneven distribution of laundry in the drum. When wet clothes roll up into one large ball, they have considerable weight. The rotation of such a lump can also cause vibration and bouncing of the machine. The solution to the problem is very simple - stop the washing process and lay out each item separately.

Strong vibrations can lead to damage to the drum and tub of the washing machine; if such symptoms are detected, you should immediately contact our specialists.

This video will help you understand the possible causes of vibration more clearly:

Failure to comply with operating rules

The most common reason. The round shape of the drum helps to mix wet laundry into one pile. Manufacturers write in all instructions about the need to put small and medium-sized items into the machine along with large and bulky items to create balance. But it’s enough to leave one duvet cover unfastened for them all to become one big heap, which is difficult to turn around. To prevent such situations, you need to put the laundry folded for washing, making sure to fasten all the zippers and buttons.

Overload can also cause the washer to bounce and jump. In this case, stop the machine, drain the water and separate the laundry into parts. Always load laundry evenly, since the service life of the equipment depends on proper use.

Tips on how to reduce machine vibration

• The centrifuge suspension system is designed for a certain weight of dry laundry. Do not put more than the recommended value into the tank: this leads to increased vibration and premature breakdown of the machine.
• When placing laundry, try to spread it evenly across the diameter of the inner container. Of course, during the washing process, things will be mixed, but at the initial stage of work, the moment of starting the centrifuge will be much easier.
• To avoid damage to the external surfaces of the unit due to impacts against walls or nearby objects, the machine should be placed at a certain distance. It is recommended to leave a gap of at least 5-6 cm.
• Many people use a horizontal loading washing machine. To reduce the vibration of the washing machine, you can install some heavy object on the outer surface. A laundry basket is perfect. Other items can also be used. The main thing is not to overdo it with the weight of this item.

Bearing problem

Malfunctions associated with bearing failure are far from a rare occurrence. The main reasons for the failure of this part are due to the fact that the metal from which the elements are made breaks down over time due to exposure to water. When the bearings begin to deteriorate, the operation of the device will first be accompanied by increased vibration and noise, and then the drum may completely jam.

When a bearing just begins to fail, it is quite difficult to identify problems. Typically, professionals can tell when a part is worn by sound, but this requires experience and knowledge. But when the bearing is already badly damaged, you can move the drum. When it moves in different directions, it means it's time to call a technician to replace the worn bearing.

What can we talk about in the end? It turns out that a washing machine is a complex system that needs professional help to resolve technical problems and it is worth contacting qualified specialists with experience and knowledge to quickly and effectively fix the problem.

See also:

• 15 best washing machines from 30,000 to 40,000 rubles according to customer reviews
• 5 Best Whirlpool Washing Machines Based on Customer Reviews
• 6 best Bosch washing machines according to customer reviews
• 7 best Indesit washing machines according to customer reviews
• 7 best LG washing machines

How to eliminate the imbalance?

• Unplug the equipment by unplugging the cord from the outlet.
• Wait a couple of minutes until the door unlocks - you will hear a characteristic click.
• Open the drum.
• If you cannot open the door, drain the water from the tank through the drain filter.
• Take things out of the tank and straighten them; if the machine is overloaded, divide them into several parts. Almost all SMA models have a separate spin mode, so no problems will arise.
• After that, load some things and close the hatch.
• Plug in the machine and the program should resume. If this does not happen, just run the wash in spin mode.

Entry of foreign objects

It happens that foreign objects fly into the gap between the CMA drum and the tank (especially when spinning at too high speeds). And because of this, strong vibration of the washing machine occurs, and a grinding noise is heard. As in the previous case, the culprit is a violation of operating conditions. To avoid problems in the future, do not put bras with wires in the washing machine, and always check the pockets of your clothes before washing.

Well, if trouble has already happened, we’ll sort it out!

To check the equipment for the presence of excess “spare parts” in the drum-tank space, bend the hatch cuff, armed with a flashlight, rotate the drum and carefully examine the space. If the problem cannot be detected immediately, you will have to remove the heating element of the washing machine and remove the bones through the resulting hole. Please note that due to scale, it is not always possible to immediately remove the heating element. Therefore, without knowledge and experience, it is better not to get involved in the design of the SMA and entrust this work to a specialized specialist.

Bend the hatch cuff and check for foreign objects

Types of Vibrating Machines

There are certain rules by which their ability to vibrate can be determined. Do not forget that it is impossible to completely eliminate vibration. High revolutions, according to the laws of physics, provoke this phenomenon even in well-installed machines.

Narrow models of LG machines can shake and make noise the most. This happens because they have insufficient support area. Consequently, the car has poor stability, which leads to jumps. Also, the small machine is equipped with a narrow drum, so laundry often bunches up in it, thereby causing an imbalance in the drum.

Water flows heavily during spin cycle

Another common problem that can cause a lot of trouble not only for SMA owners, but also for their neighbors. If you see that there is a lot of water flowing from the machine, check the following:

• whether the drain hose is inserted correctly into the riser;
• is there a blockage in the sewer pipe;
• inspect the drain hose for cracks and other damage, check the fastening of the clamps;
• Check the integrity of the door seal.

As you can see, there are many reasons why a washing machine vibrates, jumps and makes extraneous noise, as well as reasons for leaks. Some can be fixed on your own, others can only be fixed with the help of specialists. Remember that many troubles can be avoided by following the manufacturer's recommendations. Install the machine level, do not overload it, check your clothing pockets before loading - your equipment will last much longer and will delight you with reliable and trouble-free operation!

Shock absorbers are faulty

It is necessary to inspect the shock absorbers, which serve to soften shocks when the drum moves, reduce loads and dampen vibrations. If the device vibrates or jumps a lot, the shock absorbers may need to be replaced. Shock absorbers are mounted together with spring mechanisms, but if only the shock absorbers are worn out, they can be replaced separately; if the springs are also faulty, then all of them will have to be replaced at once. Over time, shock absorbers wear out and cannot be repaired - replaced immediately. Wear may be uneven, but if only one is faulty, both shock absorbers must be replaced to ensure balanced load distribution.

Look to see if there are small things stuck under the drum.
If they are, you will have to get them. For example, a bra wire or a paper clip can be easily taken out; if you pick it up with something, you can make something like a hook, which will be convenient for pulling out small parts. If smaller parts are stuck and you cannot get them out, you will have to disassemble the washing machine. To do this, you need to remove the heating element, drum and some other parts. If you have never disassembled washing machines, then it is better to call a specialist who will do it as quickly as possible, which will save you a lot of time, but most importantly, it will be safe for the equipment. See also:
A bra wire got into the washing machine