How to Fix the Shaking on a Front Load Washing Machine

Uneven Floor

• Place a level on top of the washing machine to see if it’s even on all four sides. Most new front-loading washing machines made after 1994 have adjustable legs to level the washer if the floor isn’t completely flat. Turn a leveling foot clockwise to make it longer or counterclockwise to shorten it. Tighten the lock nuts of each leg once the length is right so that it doesn’t change. Verify that each leg’s rubber padding is on; otherwise the leg can scratch the flooring surface if the washer still shakes. If your washing machine doesn’t have leveling legs, use wood shims to level the washing machine.

Uneven Load Distribution

• A wash load can shift in the washing machine and make the washer unbalanced, causing it to shake even more when it spins, states General Electric. Open the washer’s door and redistribute and separate the wash load; clothes might have become tangled into a ball. If the washer is full, remove some items to help stabilize it.

Shipping Materials

• Obviously, all shipping materials should be removed from the washing machine during installation. However, sometimes one or two things get missed, which can cause a front-loader to shake more than normal when it runs. Inspect the washing machine to verify that all packaging has been removed; in particular, confirm that the Styrofoam block under the tub is gone. Also, ensure that the four pins at the back of the front-loading washer and two braces in the front behind the bottom panel have been taken out.

Considerations

• As part of annual maintenance, confirm that the washing machine is level. You might need to readjust its leveling legs yearly to ensure the machine is sturdy. If you’re concerned that a washer’s shaking could damage your floors, mount it on a pedestal made specifically for your front-loader or install a 1-inch plywood panel beneath it. Contact the manufacturer of your front-loading washing machine if shaking worsens or you’re unable to remedy the problem yourself. A technician might be able to adjust the washer’s spin speed to minimize the shaking.