Samsung Washing machine emits noises and shakes while spinning

Wiki Article

A noisy, shaking washing machine is more than just an annoyance—it can signal anything from a simple installation oversight to a developing mechanical fault. The good news is that most causes are easy to diagnose and fix yourself without calling a technician.

### Phase 1: The First-Time Setup Check (Most Likely Culprit)

If your machine is new or was recently moved, the problem is almost certainly installation-related. Before looking at the laundry itself, check these two critical points.

**1. Remove the Shipping Bolts**

This is the most common cause of violent shaking in new machines. To prevent drum damage during transport, Samsung secures the drum with 3 to 5 large bolts at the back . If you run the machine with these bolts still in place, the drum cannot move freely, causing the entire machine to jump violently.

- **The Fix:** Locate the spanner (wrench) that came with your manual. Insert it into the bolts on the rear panel and turn to loosen. Pull the bolts straight out. You must fill the resulting holes with the plastic caps supplied in the accessory pack . **Keep the bolts:** You will need to reinstall them if you ever move houses. To verify removal, open the door and push the inner drum; if it moves back and forth with springy resistance, you are safe. If it feels rigid, a bolt is still in place .

**2. Level the Feet on a Solid Floor**

An uneven floor is the second most common vibration source. Samsung machines have adjustable front legs to compensate for uneven flooring. Carpeted or weak wooden floors amplify noise, whereas concrete or solid tiled floors are best .

- **The Fix:** Slide the machine out. Check if all four feet touch the floor. If it rocks diagonally, loosen the locking nut on the front feet with a spanner. Turn the foot clockwise to lower the machine or counter-clockwise to raise it .

- **The "No Tool" Trick:** Open the lid (top loader) or door (front loader). For top loaders, fill the tub with water; the water line should be perfectly parallel to the top edge. For front loaders, press down on the top corners; there should be no give . Once level, tighten the locking nut flush against the machine's base so it doesn't spin loose again.

### Phase 2: Operational & Loading Issues

If the installation is correct but the noise happens *during* the spin cycle—specifically a loud "thumping" sound followed by the machine slowing down—the issue is the load balance.

**3. The "Single Heavy Item" Problem (UE Error)**

Samsung washers are sensitive to eccentric loads. Washing a single heavy item (like a bath mat, duvet, or pair of jeans) causes the drum to become unbalanced. At high speeds, the washer tries to counteract this weight, leading to loud banging. If the imbalance is severe, the machine will display a **UE error code** and abort the spin cycle to prevent damage .

- **The Fix:** Avoid washing large, water-absorbent items alone. Add a few dry towels or similar fabrics to act as counterweights and cushion the thumping . For bedding, ensure the items are spread evenly around the drum rather than balled up on one side.

**4. Overloading vs. Underloading**

Stuffing the machine to the brim (overloading) prevents the drum from spinning freely, causing a labored humming sound. Conversely, washing just one or two small t-shirts (underloading) may not trigger the balance sensors properly, causing high-frequency vibration.

- **The Fix:** A general rule is that the drum should be loosely filled; you should be able to fit a flat hand between the laundry and the top of the drum. If you have to push clothes down to close the door, it is overloaded .

### Phase 3: Mechanical & External Faults

If the machine is level, the bolts are out, and the load is balanced, the noise itself tells you where the problem lies.

**5. Metallic Clanging or Scratching**

If you hear the sound of coins dropping or metal scraping against metal:

- **Foreign Objects:** Small items like coins, keys, or bra wires often slip past the drum seal and fall into the outer tub. **Unplug the machine** and manually rotate the drum; if you hear a dragging sound, an object is lodged. You may need to drain the filter or open the rear panel to retrieve it .

- **Door Seal:** Check the rubber gasket around the door. If it is torn or loose, the metal drum might be rubbing against the rubber as it spins, producing a squeaking or rubbing noise .

**6. The "Low Rumble" vs. "Screaming"**

- **Packaging Trapped:** Sometimes a piece of the white polystyrene packaging breaks off and lodges under the drum. This creates a persistent rattle. You will need to tip the machine back (carefully) to remove it .

- **Worn Bearings (Serious):** If the machine is several years old and makes a deep, roaring rumble (like a jet engine) or a high-pitched screeching that gets louder during spin, the drum bearings are likely failing . This is a complex repair requiring full disassembly; if the machine is old, it may be more economical to replace it.

### Phase 4: Advanced Calibration

If you have fixed the feet but the machine still hunts for balance, the internal weight sensors may need resetting.

**7. Run Calibration Mode**

Samsung machines have a hidden "Calibration" mode (often displayed as "CB") to re-teach the machine how to balance itself.

- **The Fix:** Ensure the drum is completely empty. Turn the machine off, then on. Press and hold the **Temp** and **Delay End** buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds until "CB" appears. Press Start/Pause. The drum will rotate for about 3 minutes without water. When it finishes, "0" will appear, and the machine is reset .

### Summary Checklist

1.  **Shaking violently?** -> Check for **Shipping Bolts**.

2.  **Walking across the floor?** -> **Level the feet** and tighten lock nuts.

3.  **Banging noise + UE code?** -> **Balance the load** (add or remove items).

4.  **Grinding noise?** -> Check for **coins** or **broken bearings**.

If you have completed all these steps and the machine still shakes or makes a deep roaring noise during the spin cycle, the suspension rods or main bearing may be broken, requiring a professional technician to inspect .