My Washing Machine Vibrates Too Much: Is It Normal or About to Break?

We've all lived that moment of tension: the washing machine starts to spin and, suddenly, it looks like it's going to take off. It moves, makes noise, and the things you had on top end up on the floor. As a technician who has repaired hundreds of these machines in Ponferrada, I tell you that if your washing machine vibrates too much, you shouldn't ignore it. It's not just annoying; it's the prelude to an expensive breakdown.

Sometimes it's a silly thing that gets fixed in two minutes, and other times it's a warning that the shock absorbers have given up. Today we are going to do a quick diagnosis so you know what is happening to your appliance and how to solve it before it's too late.

Cause 1: The Beginner's Mistake (Transit Bolts)

If your washing machine is new and in the first wash it seems possessed, literally jumping around the room, stop immediately. You almost certainly haven't removed the transit bolts.

These are 3 or 4 long bolts located at the back that hold the drum so it doesn't get banged up in the delivery truck. If you don't remove them, the suspension system is locked and all the force of the spin hits the chassis. Remove them now or you'll break the washer in three washes.

Cause 2: The "Limp" (Incorrect Leveling)

It is the most common cause of moderate vibration and displacement. If you gently push a top corner of the washer and it rocks, the feet are not settled.

Technician's Solution:

1. Take a spirit level and put it on the lid.
2. Adjust the front feet (they are threaded) until the washer is firm and level.
3. Tighten the locknut of each foot against the chassis so they don't loosen over time.

Cause 3: Load Imbalance (The Clothes Ball)

Have you ever washed a single bath towel or heavy bathrobe along with a couple of socks? When wet, the towel weighs a lot and sticks to one side of the drum. When trying to spin at 1,000 RPM, that off-center weight causes the whole assembly to vibrate violently.

The Trick: Never wash a single heavy item. Always put in other medium items to balance the weight inside the drum. If the washer detects the imbalance, it will try to reposition it, lengthening the cycle (as I explain in the article about why the washing machine takes longer than normal).

Cause 4: Worn Shock Absorbers (Mechanical Failure)

If your washing machine is over 6 or 7 years old and vibrates a lot even with a small load and being well leveled, it is likely that the shock absorbers are dead.

They are like car ones: they hold the tub and absorb the bounces. When they wear out, the tub remains "loose" and hits against the side walls. To check, open the door and push the drum down. If it bounces several times like a crazy spring, the shock absorbers are bad. Time to call the technician.

Cause 5: Bearings and Axle (The Plane Noise)

If the vibration is accompanied by a deafening noise, like a plane taking off or stones inside a can, the problem is the bearings. This is serious. It means the drum axle is dancing. If you keep using it like this, the drum could detach and destroy the tub and the heating element.