How to Stop a Washing Machine From Shaking or Walking

Quick answer

A washing machine shaking or “walking” across the floor during the spin cycle is usually caused by an unbalanced load, uneven leveling feet, a soft or sloped floor, or, on a new front-loader, shipping bolts that were never removed. Start by pausing the washer and spreading the load evenly. This guide is for beginners who want safe, simple fixes before calling a technician.

Safety first

• If the washer is banging hard or moving, press Pause or Cancel and let the drum stop completely before you open the door or lid.
• Unplug the washer (or switch off its breaker) and turn off both water supply valves before you move it, tilt it or adjust its feet.
• Washers are heavy. Get a helper before you tilt or slide one, and keep fingers and toes clear of the base.
• When you move the washer, make sure the power cord, fill hoses and drain hose aren’t stretched, pinched or pulled loose.
• Water near the outlet or cord means stop. Don’t touch the plug; switch off the breaker from a dry spot.
• Never stand or sit on a washer to hold it down while it spins.

Before you begin

A little shaking during a fast spin is normal. Loud banging, a washer that shifts position, or one that stops mid-spin is not.

• Note when it happens. Every load, or only with bedding and towels? Only one spin speed?
• Check whether the washer is new or was recently moved. New front-loaders are often shipped with transit bolts (also called shipping bolts) that hold the drum steady for delivery.
• Look at the floor. A wooden floor that flexes, or a slope in a basement or garage, makes shaking worse.
• Find the model number on the rating label and get the owner’s manual. It explains leveling, shipping bolts and load sizes for your machine. See how to find your appliance model number and manual.

Possible causes

Things you can check yourself:

• An unbalanced load, such as one heavy blanket, a single rug or a mix of jeans and sheets bunched to one side
• An overloaded or very small load
• Leveling feet that are uneven, loose or not touching the floor
• Shipping bolts still in place on a newly installed washer
• A soft, flexible or sloped floor
• A stacked dryer that isn’t secured with the manufacturer’s stacking kit

Problems that need a technician:

• Worn suspension parts, such as springs, dampers or shock absorbers, that hold the drum steady
• A damaged drum bearing, often heard as a loud rumble or grinding
• A broken or loose part inside the cabinet
• Shaking that continues with an empty, level washer

Steps to stop the shaking

1. Rebalance the load. Pause the washer, wait for the drum to stop, and open it. Spread items evenly around the drum. If you’re washing one bulky item, add a couple of towels so the weight spreads out. Close it and resume. Did the shaking calm down? If yes, the load was the cause. If not, go to step 2.
2. Check the load size. Look at your manual for how full the drum should be. Packing it tight or washing just one item can both cause wobbling. Try a normal, mixed load.
3. Remove shipping bolts on a new washer. If your washer is new or was just moved by a delivery crew, look at the back for bolts or plastic spacers the manual says to remove. Follow the manual exactly, and keep the bolts and any covers in case you move the washer later. Were the bolts still in? If yes, remove them as the manual describes and run a test load. This often solves a violently shaking new washer. If they were already out, go to step 4.
4. Check the washer is level. Unplug the washer and turn off the water. Place a level on top, front to back and then side to side. Push down on each corner; if the washer rocks, a foot isn’t touching the floor.
5. Adjust the leveling feet. Most washers have screw-in feet at the front, and some have self-adjusting rear feet. With a helper tilting the washer slightly, turn each front foot to raise or lower that corner, then tighten the lock nut if your model has one. Your manual describes the right method for your washer. Is it level and steady now? If yes, plug it back in, turn on the water and run a test load. If it still rocks, go to step 6.
6. Look at the floor and surroundings. On a flexible wood floor, setting the washer closer to a wall or on a solid platform can help; anti-vibration pads made for washers may also help. Make sure the washer isn’t touching a wall, cabinet or the dryer, which turns a little vibration into loud banging.
7. Check a stacked unit. If a dryer sits on top, confirm it’s held with the stacking kit the manufacturer specifies. Don’t run a stacked pair that feels loose.
8. Run an empty test. With the washer level and empty, run a short rinse and spin. Does it still shake hard when empty? If so, the cause is probably inside the washer. Stop and call a qualified technician.

Imagine a family with a top-load washer in a basement. Every time they washed the dog’s bed, the machine bounced toward the stairs. Adding two towels and leveling one back corner fixed it. If your washer shakes and then won’t drain, see washing machine not draining. A quick leveling check fits nicely into a routine appliance maintenance checklist.

When to stop and call a qualified technician

Contact a qualified appliance technician or the manufacturer’s service network if:

• The washer shakes hard even when empty and level
• You hear grinding, scraping or a loud rumble during the spin
• The drum looks tilted, sags to one side or moves much more than usual when pushed
• The washer has moved far enough to strain the hoses, cord or drain hose
• An error code about imbalance keeps coming back after you’ve rebalanced and leveled it
• You see water leaking under the machine
• Any fix would mean removing panels or reaching suspension parts

FAQ

Is it normal for a washer to shake a little?

Yes, some movement during a high-speed spin is normal, especially with heavy loads. Loud banging, walking across the floor or repeated stopping are signs to check the load and leveling.

Why does my new washer shake so much?

On many new front-loaders, the shipping bolts are still in place. They hold the drum steady during delivery and must be removed before use. Your owner’s manual shows where they are and how to remove them.

Do anti-vibration pads work?

Pads made for washers can help reduce vibration and noise, especially on hard or slippery floors. They don’t fix a washer that isn’t level or a worn internal part. Check your manual in case your manufacturer recommends against certain pads.

Why does my washer only shake with towels and bedding?

Bulky items soak up a lot of water and can clump to one side, which unbalances the drum. Wash them with a few similar items, or add towels to a single large item, so the weight spreads evenly.

Can a shaking washer damage my floor?

It can scuff or scratch floors, and a washer that walks can pull on its hoses and cord, which can cause leaks. Fix the cause early and check the hoses after any big movement.