Your washing machine vibrates or makes noise, what can you do about it?

Written by Rowan

Edited on

27 January 2025

·

13:10

Your washing machine vibrates or makes noise, what can you do about it?

Your washing machine makes a lot of noise and you want a solution fast. To put an end to the noise, you have to find out what causes it. Listen to the sound your washing machine makes and when. Based on the type of noise, you can find a solution to your problem.

Solve washing machine noise

When your washing machine produces a lot of noise, you'll first have to listen to the type of noise. We distinguish the following types of noise:

  • Tip 1. Wiggling noise: level your washing machine
  • Tip 2. Vibrating noise: redistribute your laundry
  • Tip 3. Screeching noise: check the bearings
  • Tip 4. Pounding noise: check the shock absorbers
  • Tip 5. Ticking noise at the bottom: clean the filter
  • Tip 6. Ticking noise in the water pipe: insert a water hammer arrester
  • Tip 7. Noise with a Samsung washing machine: calibrate the machine
Solve washing machine noise
Level the washing machine

Tip 1. Wiggling noise: level your washing machine

If your washing machine wiggles, you should make sure it's level. Place a spirit level on top of the washing machine and check whether the bubble is located between the 2 stripes. Adjust the leveling feet under the washing machine until the bubble is in the center. Tighten the nuts firmly. Because the machine spins, the nuts loosen over time. That's why you should level the washing machine regularly. Take the surface your washing machine is on into account as well. Read which floor is the most suitable here.

What's the right floor for your washing machine?
Washing machine

Tip 2. Vibrating noise: redistribute your laundry

A washing machine that vibrates, usually has a drum that's too full. When you wash your bedding and towels at the same time, for example. The heavy, wet laundry causes the washing machine to produce more noise. Sometimes, your bedding is on one side. The washing machine will be unbalanced as a result. Take some laundry out of the drum and redistribute the other laundry. Then, restart the cycle. It should make less noise now. Make sure to check whether a lower or higher speed helps reduce the noise as well.

Washing machine bearings

Tip 3. Screeching noise: check the bearings

Does your washing machine make a lot of noise during spinning and would you describe the noise as howling or screeching? It's possible that the bearings are worn out. You can test this by manually rotating the empty drum. Does it feel smooth? The bearings are fine. If it feels heavy or wobbly, we recommend you replace the bearings. If it's within the warranty period, you can contact the manufacturer to replace the bearings. Outside of the warranty period, you contact a repair service.

Washing machine shock absorbers

Tip 4. Pounding noise: check the shock absorbers and transit bolts

First, check if the transit bolts have been removed. You'll find them on the back. Unscrew the bolts with a wrench and remove them. If you hear a pounding noise during spinning, check the shock absorbers on the bottom as well. These loosen over time, which causes the drum to shake in all directions. Make sure to replace the shock absorbers or springs in time. If your washing machine is still under warranty, contact the vendor or manufacturer. It it's not, contact a repair service.

Clean the filter

Tip 5. Ticking noise at the bottom: clean the filter

Do you hear a ticking noise during a wash cycle? During wash cycles, all kinds of small objects from the filter end up in the drum. Buttons, hairpins, or other small items left in pockets, for example. That's why you have to clean the filter of your washing machine every few months. Is the filter empty, but do you still hear a ticking noise? Sometimes, the zipper of a vest or a button of your favorite jeans hits the door during a cycle.

Water in washing machine drum

Tip 6. Ticking noise in the water pipe: insert a water hammer arrestor

If you hear noise coming from the water pipe, we call this water hammer. It means that there's too much air inside. You can recognize this by a ticking, pounding, or vibrating noise coming from the pipe. Buy a water hammer arrestor to absorb the difference in pressure. First, close the main water supply. Then, close and open the water supply of the washing machine. Insert the water hammer arrestor between the water supply and washing machine with a T-piece. Seal the T-piece with sealing tape. Can't make it work yourself? Call a plumber.

Calibrate Samsung washing machine

Tip 7. Samsung washing machine produces noise: calibrate

If you have a Samsung washing machine, you have to calibrate it. Before you do this, adjust the 4 legs until the washing machine is level. Then, tighten every nut firmly with a wrench to prevent the washing machine from wiggling and making noise. The spin cycle causes the nuts to loosen over time, so you have to repeat these steps regularly. After that, you can calibrate the Samsung washing machine. This takes about 3 minutes, and you can do it via the display. Read how to do this here.

Extra silent washing machine

You want an extra silent washing machine

Does your washing machine still produce a lot of noise? And don't want to spend money to replace the worn out parts of your old washing machine? Consider buying an extra silent washing machine. A model that produces 70dB noise level or less is the most silent. Thanks to the low noise level, you can easily place it next to your living room, home office, or bedroom. You can even run a wash cycle when you're in a meeting at home.

View all extra silent washing machines

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Article by Rowan

Washing Machine Expert.

Rowan