A washing machine that is not properly levelled is operating under conditions it was never designed for. During spin cycles, the drum reaches speeds of 800 to 1400 RPM. At those speeds, even a slight imbalance in the machine’s stance translates to intense vibration, audible banging, lateral movement across the floor, and accelerated mechanical wear on the drum bearings, suspension springs, and shock absorbers. Levelling a washing machine is a simple, tool-minimal task that takes under 30 minutes and can prevent hundreds of pounds worth of bearing or drum spider damage over the machine’s lifespan.
Why Machines Go Out of Level
New machines are often installed level but drift over time because:
Tools Required
Step-by-Step Levelling Procedure
Step 1 — Access the feet. Pull the machine slightly forward from the wall to access all four adjustable feet at the corners of the base. Most machines have two front feet that adjust manually and two rear feet that self-adjust — check your manual to confirm your model’s configuration.
Step 2 — Loosen the lock nuts. Each adjustable foot has a lock nut threaded onto it above the foot. Turn the lock nut upward (anti-clockwise when viewed from below) to free the foot for adjustment.
Step 3 — Place your spirit level on the machine top. First check the machine front-to-back, then left-to-right. Note which corners are high and which are low.
Step 4 — Adjust the feet. Turn the foot clockwise (when viewed from below) to raise that corner, or anti-clockwise to lower it. Make small adjustments — quarter turns — and recheck the level after each adjustment.
Step 5 — Check the rocking test. Once the spirit level reads level, press down firmly on each corner of the machine alternately. If the machine rocks on any diagonal, one foot is not making firm contact with the floor. Continue adjusting until the machine is completely stable with no rocking movement.
Step 6 — Tighten the lock nuts. Once level, thread each lock nut back down firmly against the machine base to lock the foot position. This is the step most often skipped — without lock nuts secured, the machine will drift out of level again within a few cycles.
Step 7 — Run a spin-only cycle to verify. Run a short spin cycle and observe the machine. A correctly levelled machine should move minimally and produce significantly less noise than an out-of-level one.
Anti-Vibration Pads
For persistent vibration problems, consider placing rubber anti-vibration pads under each foot. These are available in appliance supply shops and significantly dampen transmission of vibration to the floor — useful in apartments or tiled laundry rooms where vibration noise carries.
Check machine level every 6 months or immediately after moving the machine for any reason.