What to do if the washing machine jumps while working?

How to identify the problem?

It is absolutely normal for the washing machine to vibrate slightly during the spin cycle at high speeds. All machines vibrate to varying degrees. This is not a problem. However, if you notice that the vibrations have increased, the machine has started to jump a lot, there is noise, a rumble during washing and other extraneous sounds, then such signs cannot be ignored. It is imperative to understand the causes and start eliminating them. Otherwise, the consequences for the washing machine will be more serious.

See below for the 10 most common causes.

Popular causes and how to solve them

The washing machine jumps on the floor for various reasons. Some of them are quite easy to fix on your own. Let’s consider each of them separately.

No level

Even legs and a level floor ensure the correct operation of household appliances during washing. If the washing machine is even slightly tilted to one side, it may shake and move during the spin cycle. Most home floors are far from ideal. To level the machine on such a surface, there are adjustable feet. They need to be raised and lowered. This allows you to install the machine exactly on the level. Perhaps the washing machine was not leveled during installation or one of the adjustable feet was damaged.

The surest way is to take a bubble level and place it on the top of the machine. This way you can easily determine whether it is level or not. If the readings do not correspond to the level, then adjust the level with the feet.

If there is no level in the house, then proceed as follows. Place your hands on the top of the machine and gently push it back and forth. The wobble will indicate where the machine is unbalanced. An unbalanced appliance will wobble when you push it. Raise or lower the feet to secure the machine.

Pay attention to the feet. They are usually made of plastic or rubber. Make sure the feet still have rubber and are not cracked. If any of the feet are damaged, replace them.

Uneven Loading

An even load of laundry is important to avoid shaking and vibrating the appliance. If the items in the drum are unbalanced, the drum will wobble as it rotates, causing the washer to shift. To prevent this from happening, you need to load the items into the drum correctly. Here are some tips:

• Do not put too much laundry into the drum. This leads to overloading.
• Do not load lumped items into the drum. Distribute them evenly around the drum.
• Do not wash only one large item in the drum. Add a few more items to even out the load.
• Wash items of approximately the same weight and size in one cycle. For example, do not wash bedding with underwear or socks.

Foreign objects getting stuck

Solid objects getting stuck between the drum and the tub causes shaking and noise. These can be coins, bolts, batteries, screws, etc. This happens because pockets are not inspected before throwing clothes into the drum. To avoid this, always empty pockets of foreign objects.

If you are sure that there is a foreign object in the machine, immediately cancel the wash cycle and drain the water. Open the door and remove the foreign object.

Shock absorbers are out of order

Another reason why the washing machine is jumping. All front-loading machines are equipped with shock absorbers. They help reduce the load on the body. Thanks to them, the drum rotates and shakes, but the rest of the machine does not shake. Shock absorbers tend to break and stop performing their function. Then the machine starts to bounce during spinning and make loud sounds.

Replacing shock absorbers is not an easy task. You need to understand the internal structure and body. Watch a detailed master class on replacing shock absorbers on a washing machine in this video. Before doing anything, do not forget to turn off the power.

For those who do not want to deal with this problem on their own, we recommend calling a professional technician for help or taking the equipment to a service center.

The suspension spring has burst or flown off

When one of the springs to which the washing machine tank is attached bursts or has flown off, the tank becomes unbalanced. The machine begins to vibrate strongly at speed, make loud sounds and move. To check the serviceability of the springs, look into the drum. Make sure there is no sag. Press down on the drum. The drum should bounce back smoothly. If there are signs of problems with the springs, replace them. Here are the step-by-step instructions.

• Unplug the appliance and drain the water.
• Get to the springs. How to do this is described in the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Remove the broken spring. To make the process easier, use pliers.
• Install a new spring.
• Reassemble all machine parts.
• Connect the power supply.

The shock-absorbing belt has come loose or broken.

In many top-loading machines, the drum is held in a hanging position not by springs, but by shock-absorbing belts. They control the vibration and movement of the machine. The belt can also fail. The principle of replacing it is similar to replacing the spring discussed above.

Forgot to remove the transport bolts.

This reason seems unexpected, but because of it, the machine can also jump, shake and become the cause of a more serious breakdown. It is relevant for those who started their equipment for the first time. The function of the transport bolts is to keep the drum from swinging during transportation to avoid damage. However, after installing the appliance in place, they must be removed. Perhaps you forgot to remove the shipping bolts.

It’s easy to check. Look inside the drum and spin it. If the drum rotates freely, the bolts are removed. If the drum does not rotate, then the fasteners are holding it and you need to unscrew it. Free access to the back wall of the washing machine. There you will see three or four bolts. Often they can be unscrewed by hand. If you can’t do it by hand, use keys or pliers.

Drum bearing failure

Are a common cause of strong vibration. This symptom is accompanied by loud noise emitted by the machine during operation. This breakdown mainly affects older machines with a long service life. Since bearings are prone to natural wear over time. To check for a bearing failure, you will have to remove the back panel and inspect the engine for rust. The presence of rust is a direct indication of a bearing failure.

Replacing a bearing is a complex process that requires painstaking care and accuracy. If you are not confident in your abilities, we recommend that you delegate this work to a service center or invite a home craftsman. If there are no doubts, then the bearing replacement process is performed in the following sequence:

• Disconnect the household appliance from the electrical network.
• Disconnect the drain hose and drain all the water from the machine.
• Prepare the tools you will need for disassembly.
• Find out where the bearing is located. It depends on the manufacturer and model of the washing machine. Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and familiarize yourself with the design.
• Disassemble the machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Remove the faulty bearings using a suitable tool.

• Install new bearings.
• Reassemble the washing machine. Reconnect all hoses and connect to the power supply.

The counterweight has fallen apart

The counterweight helps keep the washing machine in place during the spin cycle. It is located on top of the drum. The counterweight can shift, fly off, or split. All this causes the machine to bounce. Counterweights are usually cast from concrete. This material is not very durable. It deteriorates gradually. The vibrations will first cause cracks and then destruction. If this is the reason, then the counterweight must be replaced with a new one.

To replace the counterweight, contact a service center or resolve this issue yourself. In the video below, see how to remove the counterweight from the drum of the washing machine yourself.

The electric motor mounts have loosened

The motor is responsible for the rotation of the drum. Vibrations during the spin cycle cause the motor mounts to loosen. This is also one of the reasons why the machine shakes during operation. To check the electric motor mounts, you need to unscrew the back panel and inspect the mounts. Loose bolts must be tightened.

If you often overload your machine, then problems with the belt drive often arise. The tension of the drive belt also needs to be checked.

How to prevent this?

Small vibrations of the washing machine during the spin cycle are considered normal. When the equipment begins to vibrate strongly, knock and jump, this should not happen. Such behavior leads to a breakdown. Read our tips on how to prevent this.

• Do not overload the washing machine. Always load less than the drum can hold. Let the clothes spread out more freely in the drum, rather than stuffing them in tightly.
• Level the washing machine using the feet. If the machine needs to be lowered, the feet are turned clockwise. If the machine needs to be raised, the feet are turned counterclockwise. First, level the front legs, then the back ones.

• Level the floor. Sometimes it is impossible to level the machine with the feet. This is due to the fact that the floor is strongly curved. In this case, you will have to level the floor under the machine by adding a platform. It can be made of plywood or other suitable material. The main condition is that the platform should not be high, and it should also allow the machine to be leveled with its feet.

• Purchase an anti-vibration mat or anti-vibration pads. These items are sold in different thicknesses and sizes. This allows you to choose the right ones for yourself. An anti-vibration mat is a piece of rubber. It is placed under the entire washing machine. It softens vibrations, eliminates noise effects, and provides stability. Anti-vibration pads work in a similar way. The only difference is that they are installed under each leg, not under the entire machine.

Which models often jump?

As a rule, this is prone to equipment from a cheaper price segment. Compared to more expensive models, cheap washing machines are lighter. This means that they do not have such a heavy counterweight, which makes them more susceptible to vibrations and jumping. Due to their dimensions, narrow models of machines often suffer from this problem.

More expensive models have a high-quality suspension system. It perfectly dampens vibrations. Cheap models usually have two shock absorbers and two springs. Shock absorbers in such models are more prone to wear, as they have a short service life and cannot be repaired. Which makes them the least resistant to vibrations.

We have considered all the popular reasons why a washing machine can jump. We hope that this information will help you resolve the situation and extend the service life of the machine.