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Do you know why your Whirlpool washing machine is making a loud banging noise on the spin cycle?
Most probably, you don’t, and you need an answer and solution.
Well, this article is for you. I will tell you why your washer is making loud banging noises and how you can remedy the issue.
Something else: The solutions below can also apply to other washer brands such as Maytag, Admiral, Amana, KitchenAid, and more.
Whirlpool washing machine making loud banging noise on spin cycle – causes and solutions
At times, these loud banging sounds might sound like knocking noises. So, if your washer is making loud knocking noises when spinning, you can try these solutions too.
The load might be uneven/unbalanced
This is one of the most common causes of your washer making loud banging or pounding noises when spinning.
The good news is that it is also the easiest cause to fix.
Here’s the thing: An uneven load will throw the wash tub off balance thereby banging it against the machine’s cabinet.
Other than that, when most modern washers detect an uneven load, they first stop the spin cycle and try to rebalance the load. During this time, the washer might also make loud banging sounds.
Now, as you might already have guessed, the best solution to this problem is to evenly redistribute the wash load.
So, be sure to try that.
Your washing machine might not be level
Oftentimes, your Whirlpool washing machine will be making a loud banging noise when spinning due to an off-balance drum.
However, this is never usually the case. At times, the washer might be making those loud banging noises if it is unlevel.
Quick tip: A common symptom of an unlevel washer is if it vibrates excessively as it spins.
This can be due to one of the feet being too short or an uneven floor and this can result in the washer wobbling as it spins.
This wobbling can result in two different kinds of banging sounds…
The first can be from the drum being thrown off balance causing it to hit the inside of the washer.
Second, the washer itself might wobble and knock any nearby items such as a wall, counter, or dryer.
This, too, can create a banging-like sound (though not very loud) depending on what the nearby item is.
To fix this problem, all you need to do is make sure that your washing machine is level in every direction – side-to-side and front-to-back… In the next section, I will attach a video to guide you along on how to do this.
Also, verify that all 4 feet are touching the floor and that the locking nuts are tight.
The shipping bolts have not been removed – for frontload models
This is the most common cause for a brand-new Whirlpool washing machine making loud banging noise when on spin cycle.
To easily tell if the shipping bolts are removed without pulling out the washer, open the door and push against the drum… The drum should rotate freely and bounce slightly when you press against it; like it’s connected to springs.
If yours only rotates but doesn’t bounce, it means you have not removed the shipping bolts and their plastic spacers.
In this case, you will need to remove them so as to get rid of the loud banging noise.
With that in mind, here’s the official video from Whirlpool to guide you along on how to remove the shipping bolts (and level) from your washer:
Whirlpool washing making loud noise when spinning – more causes to check (and solutions to try)
The suspension rods might be defective (for top-load models)
Top-load Whirlpool washers use suspension rods (dampening straps) to cushion the movement of the wash tub during the spin cycle.
Usually, there are 4 suspension rods with each attached to the 4 top corners of the washer.
When one of these rods is damaged or worn out, the tub might come into contact with the washer’s cabinet.
And, this might result in loud banging/knocking noises when the washer enters the spin cycle.
Now, if you are curious as to how you can tell if the rods are worn out (plus how to replace them), here’s a video to guide you along:
Quick tip: This video will guide you in disassembling multiple Whirlpool washer brands including Admiral, Maytag, Kenmore, Amana, and more.
Of course, if the rods in your washer are defective, your best solution will be to replace them.
Something else: You should replace all 4 rods at the same time because they tend to wear out at approximately the same rate.
That being so, we recommend these quality suspension rods (they come as a set of 4) – Purchase them on Amazon.
Quick tip: To protect your rods from going bad quickly, my advice would be that you avoid overloading your washer. This is because overloading tends to exert extra weight on the rods thereby increasing their rate of wearing out.
The shock absorbers might be worn out (for front-load washers)
Ever wondered how your frontload washer runs without the drum banging or squealing against the cabinet even though it’s horizontal?
Well, this is usually made possible by shock absorbers – they help the drum spin smoothly by dampening its movement.
Usually, these shock absorbers are attached to the base frame and to the outer tub.
This means that to access them, you will need to remove either the front or the back panels.
After removing the panel, you should see the shock absorbers.
Now, carefully inspect them… Do they appear broken or are they leaking?
If yes, it means they are bad.
Fortunately, you can get quality replacement shock absorbers online marketplaces such as Amazon (Check price on Amazon) to swap with the bad ones.
Whirlpool washing machine making loud banging noise on spin cycle – parting words
On occasion, your washer might be making loud noises when it is spinning but you might be confusing them with banging noises.
In such a situation, the above solutions might not work on your washer.
But worry not as we have another article that can help you resolve all the noises your washer might produce while in the spin cycle.
You can read it here: How to fix a washing machine that makes a loud noise when spinning.
ALSO READ
Whirlpool washer troubleshooting manual
