Washing Machine Noisy or Shaking
When Spinning? Causes and Fixes

"The washing machine is very loud when it spins" is one of the most common warranty calls we get at Tanradio. Front loaders and big top loaders alike: a thumping drum, a machine that rocks, sometimes a unit that has walked half a metre across the wet kitchen floor by the end of the wash. Often it starts in the first week after delivery.

The good news: many of these have nothing to do with a broken part. They come down to how the machine stands and what is inside it. Before you book a repair, work through the checks below, in order. None of them involve opening a panel.

Safe Checks You Can Do Yourself, In Order

1. Spread the load evenly

During a spin the drum turns very fast. If the wet clothes bunch on one side, the whole machine is thrown off balance and starts to bang. The usual suspects are a single bedsheet that has rolled up with everything else inside it, a heavy bath mat, or a pair of jeans washed on its own.

Pause the cycle, wait for the door to unlock, pull the items apart and spread them around the drum, then restart the spin. On a top loader, make sure the clothes sit evenly around the centre and are not piled on one side.

2. Check the load size

Both too little and too much cause trouble. Samsung's own support page says that a load of one or two pairs of jeans, or several blankets at once, can leave the tub unbalanced. If you are only washing one heavy item, add a couple of towels so the weight spreads out. If the drum is packed tight, take some out — clothes need room to move. Wash bulky items like a comforter one at a time.

3. New front loader? Remove the shipping bolts

Front-load machines leave the factory with shipping (transit) bolts screwed into the back. They lock the drum so it does not swing around on the lorry. They must come out before the first wash. If they are left in, the drum cannot move on its suspension and the whole machine shakes hard and loudly as soon as it spins.

Look at the back of the machine. If you see large bolt heads, often with plastic spacers, the bolts are still in. Your user manual shows exactly where they are and how to take them out with the spanner supplied, then cover the holes with the caps in the accessory bag. Keep the bolts — you will need them if you ever move house with the machine.

4. Level the machine and lock the feet

Many wet kitchens and service yards in Malaysia have a floor that slopes towards the drain, so a machine that looks straight is often slightly tilted. Put a spirit level (there is one in most phone measuring apps too) on top of the machine, side to side and front to back.

Then press down on each corner in turn. If the machine rocks, one foot is not touching the floor. Turn the adjustable feet until all four sit firmly, and tighten the lock nut on each foot so it does not work loose again. Avoid standing the machine on loose bricks, planks or a wobbly stand — the vibration will find any gap.

5. Give it some space

A machine touching a wall, sink, cabinet or water pipe will knock against it on every spin. Leave a small gap on every side.

6. Empty the pockets and check the drum

With the machine switched off, look inside the drum and the door seal. Coins, keys, hair clips and bra wires make a clicking or rattling sound that is easy to mistake for a fault. Make emptying pockets a habit before every wash.

Signs It Needs a Technician

If you have done all six checks and the noise is still there, the cause is probably inside the machine. Stop using it and call for help if you notice any of these:

• Grinding, rumbling or a roar like a jet engine that gets louder as the spin speeds up — often a worn bearing.
• The drum hits the body even with a normal, even load and the machine level — often a suspension problem.
• A squeal, or the drum will not turn while the motor hums — this can be the drive belt or the motor.
• A burning smell, smoke, sparks or water leaking from under the machine.
• The same error keeps coming back on the display after you have rebalanced the load.

For any of these, switch off at the wall and unplug the machine. Do not open the back or side panels, and do not try to replace parts yourself. Bearings, suspension, belts and motors all need proper tools and a trained technician, and opening the machine yourself can make the problem worse.

When It Is a Warranty Case

If you bought the machine from Tanradio — at one of our showrooms or on Shopee or TikTok Shop — and the noise is still there after the checks, use our online warranty claim form. Have these ready:

• Your order number or receipt
• The model and serial number, from the sticker on the back or side of the machine
• The full address and postcode where the machine is
• A clear description of the noise: when it starts (wash, rinse or spin), what it sounds like, and which checks you have already done

A short video of the noise on your phone helps too — it is much easier to hear a bearing than to describe one. You get a tracking number so you can follow the repair from start to finish. Some brands handle warranty repairs through their own service centres; when that applies, we pass your details on and keep following up.

Frequently Asked Questions