Quick Answer
A washer that shakes or walks across the floor is usually unbalanced: uneven leveling feet, an overloaded or lopsided load, or worn shock absorbers. Level the machine and balance the load before anything else.
A washing machine that shakes hard or walks across the floor is almost always unbalanced. The usual causes are uneven leveling feet, an overloaded or lopsided load, or worn suspension parts inside. Start by leveling the machine and balancing the load, since that fixes most cases.
Level the machine first
Use a bubble level on top of the washer and adjust the four feet until it sits flat and does not rock. A washer on an uneven laundry-room floor will shake no matter how good its parts are.
Balance the load
Washing one heavy item, like a rug or a comforter, can throw the drum off balance during the spin. Add a few towels to even it out, or split very large loads.
Worn suspension or shock absorbers
If the machine is level and the load is balanced but it still bangs around, the internal shock absorbers or suspension springs may be worn. Our washer repair DIY guide covers what is safe to check yourself. ENERGY STAR is also a helpful reference on efficient washers.
When to call a local pro
Suspension parts are inside the cabinet, so if leveling and balancing do not help, get connected with a local Fairfield technician or see our washer repair page.
Frequently asked questions
Is it bad to run a washer that shakes a lot?
Heavy shaking can loosen connections and damage parts over time, so it is worth correcting sooner rather than later.
Why does it only shake on the spin cycle?
The spin cycle is the fastest and most force-heavy part, so any imbalance shows up most there.