Washer spin noise is not something you should be worried about. It’s perfectly normal for washing machines to make noise when spinning. The sound of your washing machine spinning may seem annoying initially, but rest assured that there could be no other indication that your washer is working correctly.

That being said, if the noise coming from your laundry machine is more than just an occasional whirring sound and more of a screeching noise that lasts for several seconds and repeats itself frequently, then this might indicate a problem with the bearings or some other mechanism in the spin cycle. If you’re noticing this kind of phenomenon from your washer, continue reading to learn more about why washing machines make noise when spinning and what you should do if the sounds concern you.

There are several possible reasons your washing machine might make noise when spinning. One possibility is that the load is unbalanced. If the load is unbalanced, the washing machine will try to correct itself by redistributing the clothes. This can cause the washing machine to make a noise.

Another possibility is that the washing machine’s tub is not leveled. If the tub is not leveled, the washing machine will also try to correct itself, which can cause noise. Finally, if the washing machine’s drive belt is worn or damaged, it can also cause noise.

Breakdown

• Damaged or imbalanced drum
• Problems with the drive belt or pulley
• Loose washing machine legs 
• Overloading the machine
• Using the wrong detergent
• An unbalanced load in the washer may be the problem
• The washer may be off leveled
• The washer tub may be damaged
• The washer motor may be damaged
• The washer drive belt may be damaged

Washing machine spin noise: Normal behavior

The noises you hear from your washing machine during the spin cycle are normal. However, there are a few reasons your washer might be making noises beyond “normal.”
If you’ve just bought a new washing machine and noticed extra noise during the spin cycle, it might be because the machine is unbalanced.

Another common reason your machine might make noises beyond normal is the type of washer and the load you’re washing. Some washing machines are louder than others. Top loaders, for example, are generally noisier than front-loaders. Likewise, certain loads, such as heavily soiled towels, can cause the spin cycle to be louder than others.

Why does a washing machine make noise when spinning?

As mentioned above, any noise coming from the spin cycle of your washing machine is normal. With that said, why exactly is it that the spin cycle of a washing machine can be noisy? To answer this, you’ll first need to understand two things: how the spin cycle works and what happens to the clothes during the spin cycle. Let’s take a look at both of these.

Soap build-up: If you’re doing laundry regularly, you’ll know there’s something called “soap build-up.” If you don’t clean the washing machine, the soap from your clothes will build up inside the machine. The build-up might be causing excessive noise. To combat soap buildup, you can clean the machine regularly with a cleaning agent.

Clothes rubbing against each other: Another reason why the spin cycle of your washing machine may be noisy is because of the clothes themselves. As you know, the spin cycle is where the clothes get tumbled around so that water is squeezed out of them and dried. The clothes get spun around at high speed to be dried. During the spin cycle, the clothes might rub against each other, causing them to make noise. If this happens too frequently, it may mean that the clothes are too wet.

What to do if the sound of your washer is concerning

If the noise coming from the spin cycle of your washer is more than expected, there might be a problem with the machine. If you’re worried about the loud noise coming from the spin cycle, proceed with the following actions below to troubleshoot the problem and hopefully fix it.

1. Check the machine’s balance: The machine may be unbalanced if you’ve recently bought a new washing machine. To test this, put a coin on the bottom tray and close the lid. If one side of the coin is lower than the other, you have an unbalanced machine.
2. Check the wall behind the machine: If the machine is too close to the wall, it might be hitting it and making noise. If this is the case, move the machine away from the wall.
3. Check the machine’s settings: If the noise comes from too much soap being used in the machine, then decrease the amount of soap you’re using. If the noise comes from too much water in the machine, increase the amount of water you’re using. If the machine is spinning too fast, slow it down with its speed setting. If the machine is spinning too slowly, increase the speed setting.

The washing machine vibration is concerning.

If the noise coming from the spin cycle of your washing machine is accompanied by a vibration, it may be a sign of a problem. If the vibration comes from the spin cycle and not the rest of the machine, it might be a problem with the bearings. If you notice a vibration coming from the spin cycle, proceed with the following actions to troubleshoot and, hopefully, fix the problem:

• Check the bearings: If the bearings are worn out, you might notice a vibration from the spin cycle.
• Check the belt: If the belt is worn out, it might cause the spin cycle to vibrate. If the belt is worn out, replace it.

The washing machine smell from the spin cycle is concerning

If you notice a funky smell coming from the spin cycle of your washing machine, it might be a sign that something is wrong. If you smell something coming from the spin cycle, proceed with the following actions to troubleshoot and, hopefully, fix the problem.

• Check the filter: If the smell comes from the water used in the machine, it might be because the filter is clogged. If this is the case, clean the filter.
• Check the detergent: If the machine uses too much soap, the excess soap might cause a bad smell. If this is the case, decrease the amount of soap you use.

Conclusion

The noises from your washing machine when it’s in the spin cycle are normal, but you should still be able to identify when something isn’t right. If the noise from your machine is more than just an occasional whirring sound and more of a screeching noise that lasts for several seconds and repeats itself frequently, then something might be wrong.

In that case, this might indicate a problem with the bearings or some other mechanism in the spin cycle. If this is the case, take the appropriate actions listed above to troubleshoot and, hopefully, fix the problem.