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Why is my washing machine noisy and unstable?
When you’re trying to relax at home, hearing your washing machine thump around during a cycle can be really infuriating. Whether you want to watch a movie in peace or you’re trying to get the kids to bed, our how-to guide will help you enjoy a bit of calm and quiet on laundry day.
What causes it?
Your washing machine could be making a racket for a few different reasons. It could be as simple as the position of the machine causing it to vibrate when it spins, particularly if you’ve got a machine that has a high spin speed (1600rpm or more). Alternatively, it could be a problem with your drum that might require a little bit of troubleshooting.
What can I do about it?
- First things first, make sure you turn off and unplug your machine before doing any investigating. If it’s mid-cycle and it sounds like you need to stop it, it might need draining. Check out our helpful guide on how to drain your washing machine.
- Is your washing machine new? If so, you may have forgotten to remove the transit screws. These need to be taken out when you install your machine as they can cause damage to the drum. If you’ve turned on your machine with the screws in, it’ll make a loud knocking noise. Stop the wash and take them out as soon as possible. If your washer is still making a noise after they’ve been removed, you may need to call a repair service.
Anything else I can check?
- Check the feet on the bottom of your washing machine. If your machine is unbalanced, it could be rocking from side to side when it spins. This could be the root of any knocking noises. Make sure the feet are level with each other and on an even surface.
- It’s quite common for bearings inside the drum to fail, and they’ll need to be repaired by a professional when they do. To find out if this is the problem, give the drum a spin with your hand when it’s empty. If there’s a bit of resistance, a bearing may be faulty.
- Still in doubt? Speak to your manufacturer or call out a trusted local repair service to come and take a look for you.
How can I reduce the noise my washing machine makes in the future?
- Wash on a lower spin speed to avoid vibration
- Avoid unbalanced loads by washing heavier items like towels and sheets together
- Buy some anti-vibration feet, they’re a cheap and easy way to keep your machine steady
