The first time my washer started shaking during laundry, my kids and I made a game out of it and had some great laughs. But after a while, it just became annoying, and I needed it fixed ASAP. Like other devices, your washer may shake or be thrown out of balance during a wash cycle.
Various factors may be responsible for a shaking, vibrating, and unbalanced washer. Before attempting to fix your shaking washer, it is expedient to be acquainted with what causes your device to shake or vibrate during a wash cycle.
Causes of a Shaking Washer
Various factors may cause your washer to be jolted off balance. These factors can be addressed by taking simple DIYs. Some may require technical experts to help fix and return the device to normalcy.
Below are the causes of a shaking washing machine.
Overloading
Overloading is one of the common causes of a shaking washer. Your washer comes with a stipulated loading capacity. When you stuff your wash drum with more clothes than necessary, the machine goes under unnecessary pressure making it shake or vibrate during operation.
Pressures on your washer from overloading affect other components of the device, such as the spinning, pumping, and draining mechanisms. The device will shift off balance as it adjusts to the pressure.
Positioning
How and where you place your device is vital in maintaining balance during operation. There is a tendency for a skewed and slanted device to be thrown off balance during operation. Some of the criteria to consider when positioning your device includes;
Where you install the device.
If you install your device on a slippery tiled floor, there is a tendency for it to shift and vibrate during operation.
Loose bolts and nuts.
When the nuts and bolts holding your device in its place are not well tightened, there is a tendency for it to shift and jerk off-balance during operation. Sometimes, the surface on which you have installed the device may not support a firm device stand.
Broken And Cramped Bearings
The state of the bearings in your device is a more critical factor affecting balancing in your device. Just like other devices, the bearings are integral units that help your device maintain balance. If your device is faulty, worn out, or broken, the device may shake and vibrate during operation. Broken and cramped bearings are more technical aspects affecting balancing in your device.
Loose Drive Belts
Belt-driven washers rely on the belts to perform almost all the essential functions of a washing machine, from rinse, wash, spin, drain, and pumping. A loose or dysfunctional drive belt means that all of the device’s primary functions are stalled. The spinning system, including the draining system, will be under intense pressure leading to balancing problems.
Disproportionate Weight Load
The type and nature of load used in your device are essential for a stable and firm device during a wash cycle. Using a set of loads that are different in weight and disproportionately distributed in the wash drum will cause your washer to shake during operation. Such load puts intense pressure on the spinning system of the device, making it vibrate or shake during operation.
Overfilling Or Underfilling the device
The amount of water in your device is another factor that can cause your washer to shake. Water level control helps maintain balance and hold the service firmly to its position. When there is too much water than necessary, the device balance will be affected. When there is excess water, the device may vibrate or shift due to excess pressure on the device.
Faulty Suspension Springs
All washers come with suspension springs that hold the tub of your washer to the base. If any of the springs is faulty, your device will have balancing problems causing it to shake or vibrate during operation.
Wrong Programs For Different Wash Cycles
If you use delicate wash cycles for heavy loads, your device could be forced out of balance. Likewise, if you use a tough and speedy wash cycle with relatively light and few loads, you may cause your device to vibrate off balance. Appropriate wash programs keep balancing errors in check—match loads to their suitable wash programs in your device.
Effects Of Vibrating Washers During Operation
Your washer is programmed to function in an internally and externally stable environment. All the components and mechanisms of the device must be in top shape for it to work. When your washer shakes or jerks off balance, the laundry process will be affected by other attendant effects on both the device and the load. Below are the effects of a shaky washing machine.
Poorly Treated Load
All the mechanisms designed to aid the cleaning and wash cycle are affected when your washer shakes. Your load will not be adequately treated. You may have to devise other means to handle your laundry.
A Shaky Spinning Mechanism
The spinning system is the central and integral component of your device. When your device vibrates during operation, it jolts the spinning system, which affects the ability of the device to treat and handle your laundry effectively. The spinning process will be warped and halted, causing an awkward twist as the device spins. In agitator washers, it can cause the spindle to tumble and lead to other damages.
A Dysfunctional Drainage System
Your device drainage system is the most susceptible when your device vibrates or shakes. The pump and the drain pipe can only function when in a balanced, firm, and stable washer.
Impaired Sensor Systems
Sensor systems send signals of errors and defects in your washer to your device through a sophisticated communication system. A shaky and vibrating washer can cause drastic shifts and failure of sensor systems, leading to the transmission of wrong signals.
Damage To More Technical Aspects Of The Device
A vibrating and off-balance washer will put various technical components of your device at risk. For instance, the suspension springs, drive belts, bearings, rotors, dispensers, pump, spindles, and other technical aspects can be damaged in the process.
How To Fix A Shaky Washing Machine
Simple DIYs can be very useful when fixing a shaky device with balancing errors, especially when there is no damage to the device’s more complex and technical parts. Read through as we guide you on how to fix and prevent balancing errors in your device.
NOTE: If your device shakes or jerks off-balance during operation, ensure that the device is switched off before making any step to fix the balancing error.
Use Optimal Load Size
Your washer comes with a load capacity. Putting more clothes than necessary will expose the device to balancing errors, making it shake during operation. Ensure the quantity of loads you use in a wash cycle does not exceed the washer’s capacity.
Level Your Device
When your washer is placed on a slippery and unlevelled surface, it will automatically shake during operation. Ensure that your surface is leveled and avoid tiled floors. It will make the device vibrate off-balance during a wash cycle. Also, check the edge of your device’s legs. Ensure that they are of equal length.
Firmly Screw Your Device To The Stand
When the bolts and nuts holding your device to the stand are loose, it will shake. Tighten it to keep it firmly in its position.
Fix Cramped And Broken Bearings
Your device’s bearing controls various operational aspects of your washing machine. If they are worn out or broken, your device risks other severe impairments. Fix and replace dysfunctional bearings.
Replace Worn Out Drive Belts
If the drive belts are weak with wear and tear, replace them. If it suddenly cuts during an operation, severe damage can be effected on vital components of your device. A balanced and firm washer partly depends on your drive belt’s state.
Redistribute The Load In Your Wash Drum
Putting a hefty load on your device with a lighter load will tilt your device to wherever the heavier load is. Switch off the device. Reshuffle the load in the drum. Ensure the loads are relatively the same and appropriately distributed on the drum to avoid unnecessary shifts during operation.
Check Water Level
Water usage in your device should be optimal and moderate, depending on the device’s capacity. Don’t overfill or underfill your washer. A well-managed volume of water used at each cycle prevents balancing errors.
Appropriate Wash Programs For Different Loads
Set the appropriate wash cycle for your load. Don’t set delicate and soft wash cycles for your towel laundry. Use heavy wash programs. When washing your socks and other light laundry, set your device to a delicate wash cycle.
Fix Your Suspension Springs
Your device will not only shake or vibrate when the suspension spring is faulty, but it will also tumble and can lead to other severe damages. Fix your suspension springs if faulty and replace them if necessary to mitigate balancing errors in your device, which may cause the device to shake.
Check Your Device For Foreign Objects
Before inserting clothes into the wash drum, check the pockets for foreign objects such as stones, sticks, and other objects. Don’t allow them into the device. Foreign objects can cause damaging severe and balancing errors for your device.
Consult A Technician
Some factors that may cause your device to shake may be purely technical issues that require the services of an expert. Consult a technician when the needed fixes are beyond DIYs.