Samsung washing machine Washing machine emits noises and shakes while spinning

Wiki Article

A Samsung washing machine that emits loud noises and shakes violently during the spin cycle is one of the most common—and concerning—issues owners face. The good news is that in most cases, the problem is caused by simple installation errors or loading mistakes that are easy to fix yourself. This guide walks through every possible cause and solution to restore your machine to smooth, quiet operation.

## Understanding the Problem: Why It Happens

Front-loading washing machines spin much faster than top-loaders to extract more water from clothes—typically 1.5 times quicker. This high-speed rotation naturally amplifies any imbalance or instability. When something is wrong, the machine detects the problem and may stop mid-cycle or display error codes like **UE** or **UB**, indicating an unbalanced load.

## Step 1: Check Installation Basics

### Remove Shipping Bolts

This is the most critical step that many owners miss. New Samsung washing machines come with shipping bolts installed to secure the drum during transportation. **These bolts must be removed before first use.**

To check if they're still installed, open the door and press against the drum. If the drum rotates freely and bounces slightly like it's on springs, the bolts are removed. If it only rotates stiffly without bouncing, the shipping bolts are still in place. Remove them using the supplied spanner—typically 3 to 5 bolts on the back panel—and insert the plastic caps provided.

### Level the Machine on a Solid Floor

An uneven surface is one of the most common causes of excessive noise and vibration. The machine must be placed on a level, solid floor. Wooden floors may need reinforcement, and carpet or soft tiled flooring doesn't provide enough resistance, allowing the machine to move during the spin cycle.

To level properly:

1. Check that all four levelling feet are evenly touching the floor

2. Adjust the lowest foot by turning it in or out until the machine is stable

3. On Type 1 feet, tighten the locking nut with a screwdriver; on Type 2 feet, use a spanner to secure the locking nut

4. If vibration persists, try adjusting the feet again while the machine is actually vibrating

### Maintain Proper Clearance

Leave at least 5-10 cm of space on all sides of the machine. Ensure it isn't touching walls, cabinets, or other appliances that could rattle against it. Also check that power cords and drain hoses aren't vibrating against the machine's exterior.

## Step 2: Run Calibration Mode

Calibration ensures the machine accurately detects load weight, which directly affects spin performance. Some models calibrate automatically when powered on, while others need manual calibration.

For models without a navigation dial:

1. Ensure the drum is empty

2. Press and hold **Temp** and **Delay End** buttons for 3 seconds until **CB** appears

3. Press **Start/Pause** to run the calibration cycle

4. The drum will rotate for up to 3 minutes

5. When **0** appears, calibration is complete

For models with a navigation dial, access Calibration mode through the settings menu.

washing a single heavy item like a bathmat, duvet, or jeans can cause severe imbalance and loud thumping noises. The machine will attempt to redistribute the load automatically, but if it's too uneven, it may stop spinning altogether.

For best results:

- Mix large and small items in each load

- When washing bulky items, add a few towels to balance the load

- Spread clothes evenly around the drum, not clumped to one side

- For bedding, follow the manufacturer's weight recommendations (typically 2.0-3.0 kg maximum)

### Avoid Overloading

Overloading strains the motor and can cause the drum to become disconnected from the motor, damaging internal bearings. As a general guide:

Never force clothes down to make room—they should sit in a loose pile. Exceeding the maximum capacity printed on your machine's control panel (typically 7-9 kg for common models) will cause noise and vibration issues.

## Step 4: Diagnose by Noise Type

Different sounds point to different problems:

- **Thumping or knocking:** Often indicates an unbalanced load or unlevel machine. This can also happen normally when washing large items like bedsheets, but should not persist throughout the entire cycle.

- **Rattling or clicking:** Usually caused by loose objects inside the drum (coins, buttons) or something vibrating against the machine exterior. Check pockets and inspect the power cord and hoses.

- **Grating or grinding:** May indicate a dirty pump filter that needs cleaning. This sound can also come from the drain pump operating, which is normal if intermittent.

- **Squealing:** Often caused by overloading—reduce the weight of your load.

## Step 5: Inspect for Physical Damage

### Check the Door Seal

In rare cases, the rubber door seal can rub against the spinning drum, producing unusual noises often accompanied by a burning smell. Open the door and inspect the seal for tears, cracks, or debris trapped in the folds. Clean with a damp cloth and replace if damaged.

### Remove Trapped Packaging

New machines sometimes have pieces of polystyrene packaging lodged underneath the drum from being slid off the packaging instead of lifted. This trapped foam can cause considerable vibration. If you suspect this, unplug the machine, carefully tip it back, and remove any foam.

### Clean the Pump Filter

A blocked pump filter can cause grinding noises. To clean:

1. Unplug the machine and prepare a bowl and towel

2. Open the filter cover and pull out the emergency drain tube

3. Remove the cap and drain water into the bowl

4. Unscrew the filter cap and clean debris with a soft brush

5. Reinstall everything securely

## When to Call for Professional Help

If you've completed all these steps and the shaking and noise persist, the issue may be mechanical—potentially a damaged drum bearing or a problem with the motor or clutch. Contact Samsung Support for professional diagnosis and repair.