Start with what changed
- New washer? Confirm all shipping materials were removed before another cycle.
- For a washer you've been using, check the amount and balance of laundry first.
- Then check its level, all four feet and any pedestal.
- A loose drum or grinding and clanking calls for professional service.
If the banging started with a packed basket or one bulky comforter, we'd check the laundry first because either can throw the washer off balance. A newly installed machine needs a different first move, because shipping bolts left in place can cause violent shaking and potentially permanent damage.
The four checks are shipping materials, the load, the washer's footing and the basket or drum, with the correction depending on what you find. Keep your own washer's instructions handy for details specific to your machine.
| What you notice | Possible cause | First check |
|---|---|---|
| A new washer shakes violently | Shipping bolts left in place | Confirm all shipping materials were removed before another cycle. |
| Shaking began with a packed basket or one bulky item | An overloaded or unbalanced load | Remove some laundry from an overfilled basket, or add other items to balance one bulky item. |
| The washer vibrates with a balanced load | The washer may be unlevel | Check all four feet and use a level across the top. |
| Banging or clanking continues after the load and footing checks | A possible basket or drum problem | Check whether the basket or drum is centered, then move it by hand and listen. |
1. Check shipping materials before using a new washer again
Shipping bolts hold the wash basket securely during transport. Once the washer is installed, leaving them in place can make it shake violently during use. Check that all shipping materials were removed, including the bolts.
Use your washer's installation instructions to confirm what needed removing and whether that work was completed.
If you're unsure whether installation was completed properly, we'd get professional installation help before using the washer again. Confirm that no shipping bolts remain before the next cycle. If shaking continues, move on to the load.
2. Match the load change to what's in the basket
Look at how much laundry is inside and how its weight is spread around the basket. An overloaded washer and a washer holding one bulky item can both shake, but the changes that help are different.
If the basket is overfilled, remove some items and spread the remaining laundry evenly throughout it. Aim for a smaller load with the items dispersed around the basket, instead of leaving the remaining clothes gathered together.
If you're washing one large, bulky or highly absorbent item, such as a comforter, add other items to help equalize the weight. An already overfilled basket needs fewer items instead.
Run the corrected load and look for a washer that stays in place without thumping or banging. If excessive shaking continues, check its footing.
3. Check all four feet and measure the level
An uneven floor can leave the washer unlevel, causing vibration and noise even with a balanced load. First, check that all four feet contact the floor. Then measure across the top in both directions so you can see whether adjustment is needed.
On a Maytag washer, you'll need a level and a wrench or pliers for the checks and adjustments. The wrench options include a 9/16-inch or 14 mm open-end wrench, or an adjustable wrench. Check your owner's manual for the details specific to your model.
- Place the level width-wise on top of the washer. Look for the bubble between the two center lines.
- Turn the level front to back and check the bubble again. You now have a reading in each direction.
- If adjustment is needed, turn the leveling legs with a wrench or pliers to raise or lower them. Tighten the jam nuts against the washer base as necessary.
- Recheck front to back, then side to side. The bubble should sit between the center lines in both directions.
Use those final readings to check the adjustment, rather than judging the washer's position by eye. You can consult Maytag's leveling instructions (opens in a new tab) if you need a reference while checking the feet and jam nuts. If the bubble is centered in both directions but excessive shaking continues, check the pedestal if you have one, then the basket or drum.
Check the pedestal and anything stored inside
If your washer sits on a pedestal, check that support as part of leveling the machine. Make sure the mounting screws are tight, the pedestal feet contact the floor firmly and the foot lock nut is tight against the frame.
The leveling legs may be on the washer itself or its pedestal. Apply the level check to the support your washer uses, and check the result front to back and side to side after adjustment.
A storage pedestal adds another place to check for noise. Look inside for loose contents that could roll or rattle during a cycle. That gives you a separate thing to address if the sound is coming from stored items.
On a Whirlpool washer with storage compartments, remove items that may roll around during cycles. If the pedestal is firm and nothing inside rattles but the washer still shakes, move on to the basket or drum.
Some movement is normal, but walking isn't
A small amount of shaking is normal, particularly during spin. Clothes move rapidly at that stage to remove water before drying, so you don't need to aim for complete stillness.
Look for a washer that stays in place without thumping, banging or loud vibration. Jumping or walking across the floor means the problem still needs attention.
If excessive movement continues after those checks, look at the basket or drum, which is the last thing you can check yourself.
If you also need help with wet loads, leaks or other noises, choose the matching checks for other washing machine problems.
4. Look for an off-center basket or unusual sounds
On an older washer, worn shock absorbers or drum bearings can let the basket or drum become unbalanced. Loud banging or clanging during spin can be a sign of that wear, particularly once you've considered the load and how the machine is supported.
Look through the opening to see whether the basket or drum is visibly centered. This check applies to top-loading and front-loading washers. Then try moving it manually and listen for grinding or clanking. Note its position and the sound separately so you can describe both when you call.
If you hear grinding or clanking, or you suspect a loose basket or drum or another internal problem, schedule a service appointment with the manufacturer. For a Maytag washer, contact Repair and Replace Services. For a Whirlpool washer, use Customer Care through its shaking-washer page (opens in a new tab) to connect with a technician.
Tell the service provider whether the washer is newly installed or has been in use, what was in the load when the shaking occurred, and what you found during the level and pedestal checks. Describe whether the basket looked off-center and whether moving it produced grinding or clanking, so the technician has your observations before the appointment.
Ask for the service fee and any parts cost before agreeing to a repair, and check your warranty terms for help with either charge.
If it still shakes after the checks
The next move depends on what remains after the loading and support checks. Mention any other symptom, such as water left in the washer, when you ask for help.
Does an older washer need new bearings if it bangs?
Worn bearings or shock absorbers are possible causes of an unbalanced drum on an older washer. Check the load and support first, then look at the basket or drum through the washer opening.
What if the washer is level but still shakes?
Go back over the other checks. A level washer can still have an overloaded or uneven load, and a new machine still needs its shipping materials checked. If those checks are complete and excessive movement continues, look at the basket or drum.
Should you check the warranty before booking?
For a Maytag washer, check your warranty when arranging service. Maytag recommends this because it may help with service fees and parts. Use your own warranty's terms to check what applies to your washer.
Does the drum check apply to a front-loading washer?
Yes. Check whether the drum is visibly centered in the opening, then move it by hand and listen. If you hear grinding or clanking, arrange professional service.
If water is also staying in the machine, follow the checks for a washer that isn't draining as a separate symptom.
More in this category