Samsung Washing machine emits noises and shakes while spinning

Wiki Article

A noisy, shaking Samsung washing machine can turn laundry day into an ordeal, but in many cases, the solution is simpler than you might think. These symptoms are often the machine's way of telling you something is off-balance or improperly installed.

Before calling a technician, you can work through a systematic troubleshooting guide.Samsung's official guidance emphasizes checking the installation, the load, and running calibration to resolve most vibration issues.

### Step 1: Check for the "Forgotten" Shipping Bolts

This is the most common and serious cause of violent shaking in new machines. During transportation, Samsung installs shipping bolts at the back to secure the drum. **If these bolts are not removed before use, the drum cannot move freely, causing the entire machine to shake, "walk" across the floor, and suffer permanent internal damage**.

- **The Fix:** Look at the back of your machine. If you see 3-5 large bolts with plastic spacers, they need to come out. Use the supplied spanner (wrench) to loosen them, pull the bolts straight out, and cover the holes with the plastic caps provided. Keep the bolts for future moves.

- **The Test:** Open the door and push the drum inside. If it moves freely (bounces slightly), the bolts are gone. If it feels rigid and locked, you need to remove the bolts immediately.

### Step 2: Leveling the Machine (The Floor Test)

An uneven floor is the second most common culprit. If the washer wobbles when you push a corner, it will vibrate violently during the high-speed spin.

- **The Surface:** The washer needs to be on a **solid, level floor**. Wooden floors may need reinforcement, and soft surfaces like carpet or foam tiles absorb energy poorly, often making the shaking worse.

- **Adjusting the Feet:** Samsung washers have four leveling feet (usually adjustable in the front).

    1.  Slide the machine into place. Rock it diagonally to see which feet are off the ground.

    2.  Tilt the machine back slightly and adjust the front feet. Turn the leg **clockwise to lower** the machine or **counter-clockwise to raise** it.

    3.  Once the machine is stable and doesn't rock, tighten the **locking nut** tight against the washer base to prevent the leg from spinning loose.

    - *Pro Tip:* Leave a 10 cm (4 inches) gap between the back of the machine and the wall to ensure hoses aren't kinked and the machine has room to move naturally.

### Step 3: Balancing the Laundry Load

If the floor is level and the bolts are gone, the issue is likely inside the drum. The "UE" or "UB" error code on your display specifically points to an **Unbalanced Load**.

- **The "Single Heavy Item" Problem:** Washing one heavy item (like a bath mat, comforter, or pair of jeans) alone is a recipe for disaster. The wet fabric clumps to one side, and when the drum spins, the weight imbalance throws the whole machine off balance.

    - *Solution:* Add a few dry towels or small items to the load. This helps balance the mass inside the drum.

- **Overloading:** Conversely, stuffing the drum too full prevents clothes from tumbling freely. If you have to push clothes down to close the door, it is overloaded. Remove some items and try again.

- **Tangled Laundry:** Sometimes, long items like sheets or pants wrap around the impeller in a top-loader, creating a lopsided load. Stop the machine, open the door, untangle the laundry, and spread it evenly around the drum.

### Step 4: Running Calibration Mode

Modern Samsung washers have sensors to detect load weight. If you've just moved the machine or adjusted the feet, the sensors might need a reset. This process is called **Calibration**.

- **How to do it:** Ensure the drum is completely empty. Turn the machine on.

    - *For most models:* Press and hold the **Temp** and **Delay End** buttons simultaneously for about 3 seconds until "CB" appears on the screen.

    - *For dial models:* Navigate the settings menu to find "Calibration."

    - Press **Start/Pause**. The drum will rotate and spin for about 3 minutes without water.

- **The Result:** This teaches the machine the "weight" of the empty drum, allowing it to better detect imbalances during future cycles.

### Step 5: Inspecting Internal Components (Hardware Failure)

If you have tried all the above and the machine shakes persistently (even when empty) or makes a deep "thumping" or grinding noise, the problem may be mechanical.

- **Shock Absorbers (Suspenders):** Front-load washers have shock absorbers (struts) at the base to dampen vibration. If these are worn out, broken, or disconnected, the tub will bounce excessively. This requires opening the machine to replace the shocks.

- **Damaged Door Seal (Bellows):** Inspect the rubber gasket around the door. If it is torn or loose, it can rub against the spinning drum, creating a rhythmic rubbing or squeaking noise accompanied by a burning rubber smell.

- **Foreign Objects:** Small items like coins, keys, or bra wires can slip past the drum and get trapped in the outer tub or pump. This causes a metallic scraping or clanging sound.

### When to Call a Professional

If you have removed the shipping bolts, leveled the feet, balanced the load, run calibration, and the machine still shakes or makes loud noises, the issue is likely internal (bearings, spider arm, or shock absorbers). Attempting to fix these yourself can void warranties and be dangerous. Contact Samsung support or a certified repair technician to take over from here.