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Time Required

10 minutes

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Difficulty

beginner

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Tools Needed

Level (bubble or laser), Adjustable wrench

⚠️ Safety Tips for Level Your Washing Machine to Reduce Vibration

•Unplug washer while adjusting feet to avoid any electrical hazard if moving it around
•Have a friend help tilt the machine if needed to access feet safely
•Ensure the floor beneath the washer is solid and level; if it’s not, you may need shims or to address the flooring

# Level Your Washing Machine to Reduce Vibration

An unlevel washing machine can vibrate excessively, make loud noises, or even move across the floor (“walk”) during spin cycles. Properly leveling the machine improves performance and prolongs its life.

## Signs Your Washer Isn’t Level

- The washer rocks or wobbles when you push it
- It vibrates loudly or moves during spin cycle
- You find it has “walked” out of place over time

Leveling the washer will help solve these issues.

## Step-by-Step Instructions: Level the Washing Machine

Follow these steps to stabilize your washer by adjusting its leveling feet.

Step-by-Step Guide for Level Your Washing Machine to Reduce Vibration

Check Level on the Machine

Place a level on top of the washer, first left-to-right, then front-to-back. Note which side or corner is lower or higher. The goal is to have the washer level side-to-side, and level front-to-back (or slightly tilted back by design).

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Some washers are designed to be perfectly level; others work best with the front about 1/4 inch higher than the back. Consult your manual, but generally level is a good default.

Locate the Leveling Feet

Most washers have four adjustable feet—one at each corner on the bottom. They may have lock nuts to hold them in place. Typically, you access them by tilting the machine slightly or by having someone tip it while you adjust the feet.

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Have an assistant tilt the washer back just a few inches, so it rests on the rear feet (if adjusting the front), allowing you to turn the front feet easily. Do the opposite to adjust the rear feet.

Adjust the Front Feet

Loosen the lock nut (if present) on each front foot by turning it counterclockwise with a wrench. Then turn the feet themselves: screwing them out (counterclockwise) will raise that corner of the washer, screwing them in (clockwise) will lower it. Adjust each front foot as needed to get the washer roughly level.

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Adjust in small increments and check the level frequently. It’s easy to overshoot and make the opposite corner too high or low.

Adjust the Rear Feet

Some washers have self-leveling rear feet (which adjust automatically when you set the machine back down). If not, adjust them similar to the front. Tilt the washer forward slightly to take weight off the rear feet, then turn each rear foot until it contacts the floor firmly at the right height.

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If your washer has self-leveling rear legs, usually tilting the machine forward then setting it back down will allow those legs to self-adjust. Check your manual for specifics.

Re-check Level and Stability

Place the washer back on all four feet. Use the level again on top in both directions. Continue adjusting as needed until the bubble shows level. The machine should be rock solid on the floor—press on opposite corners to ensure it doesn’t wobble.

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If one of the feet doesn’t reach the floor firmly (common on uneven floors), use a hard rubber or wood shim under that foot for stability, then tighten the lock nuts if equipped.

Lock Feet in Place

Once level, tighten any lock nuts on the feet by turning them clockwise against the washer’s base. This keeps the feet from rotating out of adjustment. Finally, plug the washer back in.

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Run a spin cycle with no laundry to test. The machine should remain steady. If it still vibrates a lot, double-check that it’s level and all feet are firmly on the floor.

🔧 When to Call a Professional for Level Your Washing Machine to Reduce Vibration

If leveling doesn’t solve the shaking, a technician can examine if internal parts like shock absorbers or suspension springs are worn out. They can also free up or replace stuck leveling feet, and advise on solutions for very uneven flooring (like installing a vibration isolation pad or platform).

Ready for expert help? Review our Appliance Repair Orlando coverage to see neighborhoods we serve.

Signs it's time to call us for Level Your Washing Machine to Reduce Vibration

•The washer still “walks” or vibrates excessively after leveling (could indicate suspension issues or an unbalanced drum)
•You cannot adjust a stuck or rusted foot, or one is missing
•Your floor is extremely uneven and standard leveling isn’t enough

Schedule Professional Washing Machine Service

Level Your Washing Machine to Reduce Vibration