Samsung Washing Machine: out of balance
What is this symptom?
Is your Samsung washing machine vibrating heavily or making noise? This out-of-balance issue often occurs during spin cycles due to uneven loads or mechanical problems. It can result in your washer stopping mid-spin or displaying imbalance behavior, disrupting your laundry routine.
Important Tips for Samsung Models
- Samsung washers may require calibration after service repair to ensure balance sensors operate correctly.
Possible Causes
Uneven load distribution
How to Identify: Heavy items bunched to one side, machine shakes mainly during spin and redistributes when opened.
Part: Laundry load
Uneven floor or improper leveling
How to Identify: Machine rocks or vibrates on uneven floor; checking with a level shows imbalance.
Part: Washer feet/leveling support
Worn suspension springs or shock absorbers
How to Identify: Persistent imbalance after fixing load and leveling; visible wear or broken suspension components when inspected.
Part: Suspension springs, shock absorbers
Malfunctioning control board or sensors
How to Identify: Imbalance persists without obvious mechanical cause; may need professional diagnostic.
Part: Control board / balance sensors
DIY Solutions
Redistribute laundry evenly
- Pause the cycle and open the washer door.
- Rearrange clothes to distribute weight evenly around the drum.
- Restart the spin cycle.
Level the washer
- Place a spirit level on top of the washer to check for level.
- Adjust the leveling feet by turning them to raise or lower corners.
- Recheck with the level until balanced.
- Tighten lock nuts to secure feet.
Inspect suspension components
- Unplug machine and move it to access rear panel.
- Remove panel and visually inspect suspension springs/shock absorbers.
- Replace visibly worn or broken components following model‑specific instructions.
Next step
Choose the next step for out of balance
Confirm the diagnosis before ordering. An error code can identify the system involved, but it does not prove that a specific part has failed.
Most relevant component to inspect
Washer Shock Absorber
Dampens tub movement and vibration during high-speed spin cycles.
- Typical part-only price
- $25 - $100
- DIY difficulty
- Medium
- Estimated time
- 45-90 mins
Where can I find the model number?
Check the rating label around the door, lid, frame, rear panel, or inside the appliance cabinet. Use the complete model number, including suffixes.
Verify the complete model and part number on the retailer's compatibility page before ordering.
Other parts options
Check related components first; use model search as a fallback.
Main Control Board
The central brain of the appliance that controls all components, cycles, and timings.
Model-compatible Washing Machine parts
Enter the complete model number to browse compatible replacement parts. This is a model-based parts search, not a diagnosis that a specific component failed.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission from other qualifying purchases or service requests made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are based on repair relevance, not commission rate.
Optional routine care
Maintenance supplies
These products support cleaning or routine upkeep. They are separate from the possible repair components above and are not claimed to fix this error code or symptom.
Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets
Routine tub-cleaning supplies for residue and odor control. They do not repair a mechanical, drainage, or electronic fault.
Braided Washer Inlet Hoses
A maintenance replacement option for visibly worn external fill hoses. Verify thread size, length, and hot/cold connection requirements.
Washer Drain Hose Holder
Helps secure an external drain hose at the standpipe. It does not correct an internal pump or control fault.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Recommendations are based on routine-care relevance, not commission rate.
Professional Repairs
Replace suspension springs or shock absorbers
Control board or sensor diagnostics and replacement
When to Call a Professional
Preventive Maintenance
-
Regularly check and level washer feet: Balance issues due to uneven installation
Frequency: Monthly -
Distribute laundry properly each load: Imbalance during spin cycles
Frequency: Every wash
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Samsung Washing Machine out of balance?
How do I fix Samsung Washing Machine out of balance myself?
How much does it cost to fix out of balance?
When should I call a technician for out of balance?
References & Sources
Community Analytical Insights
Guidance from available sources; statistical claims are shown only for samples of at least 10 discussions
Common Issues Reported by Users
- Uneven load distribution in the drum
- Worn or damaged suspension springs
- Faulty or malfunctioning control board
User Suggested Solutions
-
Redistribute the load evenly in the drum. Open the door and rearrange the clothes to ensure they are spread out evenly. Run a spin cycle to check for balance.
-
Inspect and replace worn suspension springs. Unplug the washer, remove the top panel, and check the springs for wear. Replace if necessary.
-
Check and replace the control board if malfunctioning. This requires accessing the control panel and may involve soldering new components. If you are not experienced, consider professional help.
Limited-source guidance; percentages and success-rate claims are not shown
View
Sources
Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:
Community Discussions
Out of balance, UR/UB error codes
Drilling holes in the balance ring and refilling it worked for some users.
Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair
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