How To Fix A Samsung washing machine That's Shaking Or Vibrating

Wiki Article

A vibrating Samsung washing machine is not only noisy but can also cause damage to your floor and the appliance itself if left unaddressed. While it may sound like a serious mechanical failure, the cause is often something simple you can fix yourself in a few minutes. According to Samsung's support guidelines, most vibration issues stem from installation errors, unbalanced loads, or obstructions.

### 1. The First-Time Setup Mistake: Remove Shipping Bolts

This is the most critical step for new machines. To prevent drum damage during transport, Samsung installs shipping bolts (usually 4) on the back panel. If you run the machine with these still attached, it will shake violently, "walk" across the floor, and potentially suffer permanent internal damage.

- **The Fix:** Locate the spanner/wrench that came with your manual. Insert it into the bolts on the back of the machine and turn them counterclockwise to loosen and pull them straight out. Keep the plastic covers provided to seal the holes.

### 2. Check the Floor and Level the Feet

An uneven surface is the most common reason for vibration in older machines. If your washer is on a wooden floor, carpet, or an uneven tile, the natural vibrations of the spin cycle will be amplified.

- **The Surface:** The machine requires a *solid, level* floor. Carpets or soft floors absorb resistance, allowing the machine to move. If it must be on wood, consider reinforcing the floorboards.

- **The Feet:** Samsung washers have adjustable front feet. Do not just "eyeball" this.

    - **Type 1 Feet:** Turn the plastic foot clockwise to lower the machine or counter-clockwise to raise it. Use a screwdriver to tighten the locking nut against the chassis once level.

    - **Type 2 Feet:** Use a spanner to loosen the locking nut (turn left), adjust the foot height by hand, then tighten the nut by turning it right.

    - **The "Spin Test" Trick:** Start a "Rinse & Spin" cycle. While the machine is spinning at high speed, watch the feet. Adjust them little by little while running until the vibration stops entirely.

### 3. Run the Calibration Mode

Modern Samsung washing machines have an internal computer that needs to know how to balance the load. If you have moved the machine or adjusted the feet, you must run the **Calibration Mode**. This teaches the machine the weight of the empty drum and how to move efficiently.

- **How to do it:** Ensure the drum is completely empty. Turn the machine off, then on again. Press and hold the **"Temp"** and **"Delay End"** buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds. The display will show "CB". Press "Start/Pause". The drum will rotate for about 3 minutes and shut off automatically when done.

### 4. Balance the Laundry Load

You cannot wash a single heavy item. Washing one bathmat, one pair of jeans, or a single duvet creates a massive imbalance. The drum spins lopsided, hitting the sides of the machine. If the machine detects this, it will often pause the cycle and display a "UB" (Unbalanced Load) error code.

- **The Fix:** Always wash bulky items (like comforters or rugs) in pairs, or mix them with a few towels. Ensure the clothes are piled loosely and not wrapped into a tight ball. If you hear a heavy "thumping" sound that matches the spin speed, pause the cycle, open the door, and redistribute the laundry manually.

### 5. Avoid Overloading

Stuffing too many clothes into the drum restricts movement. The machine cannot tumble the clothes properly to distribute the weight, leading to violent shaking during the spin cycle.

- **The Rule of Thumb:** You should be able to place your hand flat on top of the laundry inside the drum. If you have to push the clothes down to close the door, it is too full. A large load should fill about 3/4 of the drum.

### 6. Check for Foreign Objects and Packaging

Sometimes the issue is caused by physical blockages.

- **Polystyrene (Styrofoam):** If you recently unboxed the machine, a piece of the white packaging may have broken off and lodged under the drum. You will need to unplug the machine, lay it on its side (carefully), and remove the foam.

- **Pocket Items:** Coins, keys, or screws can fall into the drum gaps or get lodged in the pump, causing a rattling or scraping noise. Check the door seal (gasket) folds for small items.

### When to Call a Professional

If you have completed all these steps (bolts removed, floor level, calibration done, load balanced) and the machine still shakes or makes a loud **grinding** noise, the issue may be internal. This could indicate a **worn out tub bearing** (which allows the drum to spin smoothly) or a **broken spider arm**. Unfortunately, these repairs are complex and often cost almost as much as a new machine.