Samsung Washing machine emits noises and shakes while spinning

Wiki Article

A vibrating, noisy washing machine can be alarming, but the issue is often caused by a few simple installation or loading errors. Samsung washing machines are equipped with sensors to detect imbalances, and the noise is usually the machine's way of trying to correct itself or a sign that something is loose.

## 1. The "Installation" Check: Shipping Bolts & Leveling

Most excessive vibration issues in new machines trace back to improper installation .

**Remove the Shipping Bolts**

If this is a new washer and it sounds like it is "taking off" or "jumping" during the spin cycle, the shipping bolts are likely still in place. These bolts are screwed into the back of the machine to secure the drum during transit. **They must be removed before use.**

- **How to fix:** Locate the 3 to 5 bolts on the rear panel. Using the supplied spanner (wrench), loosen and pull the bolts straight out. Fill the holes with the plastic caps provided. To verify, open the door and push the drum; it should move freely .

**Level the Feet**

An uneven floor is the most common cause of persistent walking or wobbling .

- **How to fix:** Push the machine gently from the top corners. If it rocks diagonally, the feet are uneven. Do not put cardboard under the legs. Instead, adjust the front leveling feet: Turn the leg clockwise to lower the machine or counter-clockwise to raise it. Use a spirit level on top of the machine. Once level, tighten the locking nut against the machine chassis so the feet do not spin loose .

## 2. The "Loading" Check: Balance & Capacity

If the installation is correct, the issue is likely inside the drum. Samsung machines spin at high RPMs (up to 1400); even a slight imbalance is magnified violently at top speed.

**The "Single Heavy Item" Problem**

Washing a single heavy item (like a bath mat, a duvet, or a pair of jeans) is a primary cause of loud thumping. The machine cannot distribute the weight of one wet, dense item, causing the drum to spin eccentrically and bang against the sides .

- **How to fix:** Add 3-4 dry bath towels or similar items to the load. This helps balance the eccentric weight and cushions the heavy item .

**Overloading vs. Underloading**

Both too many clothes and too few clothes can cause noise.

- **Overloading:** If the drum is packed tight, clothes cannot tumble freely. They clump together, creating a heavy mass that thuds against the drum.

- **Underloading:** Too few items (like two t-shirts) cannot distribute themselves evenly. The machine will try to redistribute them, but if it fails, it may vibrate excessively or stop the spin cycle and display a **"UE" or "UB" error code** .

- **How to fix:** Aim for a "medium" load where the drum is about 1/2 to 3/4 full. When washing large items like bedding, keep the weight low (2-3 kg) and the spin speed moderate .

## 3. The "External" Check: Clearance & Floor Type

Sometimes the machine is fine, but its environment is causing the noise.

- **Clearance:** Ensure the machine is not touching the walls, cabinets, or other appliances. As it vibrates, it will bang against adjacent surfaces, amplifying the noise. Maintain at least 1 cm (0.4 inches) of clearance on the sides .

- **Floor Type:** Wooden floors or soft tile floors amplify vibrations. If your machine is on a wooden floor, the floorboards may be acting as a sound drum. Reinforcing the flooring or placing a rubber anti-vibration pad (specifically for washing machines) under the feet can help absorb the movement .

- **Polystyrene Packaging:** Sometimes, a piece of the white foam packaging gets stuck under the drum during installation. If you hear a plastic rubbing noise, unplug the machine, tip it back carefully, and remove any debris .

## 4. Advanced Troubleshooting: Calibration & Internal Parts

If the above steps fail, try these last-resort solutions before calling a technician.

**Run the Calibration Mode**

Modern Samsung washers have a "Calibration" feature. This tells the machine's computer exactly how the drum is positioned and how heavy the empty tub is. If this is off, the machine may overspin or vibrate.

- **How to fix:** Ensure the drum is empty. Press **Temp + Delay End** simultaneously for 3 seconds until "CB" appears. Press Start/Pause. The drum will rotate for a few minutes, then turn off automatically .

**Check for Foreign Objects**

If you hear a scraping or rattling metal sound that correlates with the drum spin, you likely have something in the system.

- **Small items (coins, keys):** These usually sit in the drum. Pause the cycle and search the clothes .

- **Large debris (socks, small clothes):** These can slip past the drum and get stuck in the **drain pump filter**. If an object is stuck in the pump, the machine may make a humming or grinding noise, especially when draining. Open the small access door at the bottom front, drain the residual water via the hose, and unscrew the pump filter to clean it out .

## When to Call a Professional

If the machine is leveled, properly loaded, and still sounds like a jet engine with a metal grinding tone, the issue may be mechanical.

- **Worn Drum Bearings:** A loud rumbling or roaring sound that gets louder during the spin cycle indicates the bearings that allow the drum to spin are wearing out. This is a significant repair, often requiring the whole outer drum to be replaced .

- **Shock Absorbers:** If the machine feels "loose" and shakes excessively even with a small load, the suspension rods or shock absorbers inside the machine may have broken .

**A Note on Error Codes:** If your machine stops spinning and shows a **"UE"** (Unbalanced Load Error) or **"UB"** code, do not panic. The machine is working correctly; it has detected a dangerous wobble and has stopped to protect itself. Simply pause the cycle, redistribute the load manually, and restart .