Yes, it gets so frustrating when your Hoover washing machine doesn’t sit in one place when spinning.

And you might be wondering why your Hoover washing machine is moving, wobbling, and exploring the whole laundry room whilst you are running a spin cycle.

An action referred to as a “Walking” washer.

But the good news is that, if your Hoover washing machine vibrates excessively and walks around whilst spinning, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s malfunctioning or damaged.

Here is why your Hoover washing machine moves when spinning:

• Transit bolts have not been removed
• The washing machine is not properly leveled
• Improperly loaded drum
• Adjustable leveling legs missing or faulty
• Faulty shock absorbers

Let’s dive into the reasons why your Hoover washing machine may be moving or shaking during the spin cycle and how to stop it.

Why Does My Hoover Washing Machine Move When Spinning?

Since the reasons why your Hoover washer moves when spinning might differ from one machine to the other, it is important to be able to identify which reasons apply to yours.

This way, you can easily solve the problem of a walking washer.

Below are the most common reasons why your Hoover washing machine moves when spinning including ways to fix them:

1. The Transit bolts have not been removed

Transit bolts are used to prevent damage to washing machines during transit or shipping.

These bolts are used to lock the drum so that it doesn’t rattle around while moving and to avoid drum displacement.

If your Hoover washing machine is new and the movement and shaking started immediately, it is most likely caused by the shipping bolts left on the washer.

This is because these transit bolts must be removed before running your first wash.

The drum has suspension springs that allow the smooth running of the drum.

Failure to remove these transit bolts means locked suspension springs in the drum and this can cause your washing machine to move and make excessive noise that could damage your machine permanently.

These transit bolts are fitted at the rear of the machine and you can unscrew them using a 10mm spanner or wrench.

How to remove transit bolts from your hoover washing machine

Removing the transit bolts should only take a few minutes.

And remember to keep the bolts for future use when you want to move your washing machine to a new house.

Follow these steps to remove the transit bolts from your Hoover washing machine 

• Locate the transit bolts at the back of your washing machine 
• Use a spanner or a socket wrench to turn the bolts counterclockwise to loosen them.
• Once it’s fully undone remove the transit bolts by pulling them out.
• Replace them with the plastic caps from the accessory pack.
• Now your hoover washing machine is ready to use 

Tip

Refer to the manufacturer’s manual for installation instructions and make sure all shipping bolts have been removed before using your washer.

2. Washer is Improperly loaded

If you are fond of filling your Hoover washing machine to the top, regardless of the weight and composition of your laundry, you may be wrongly loading your washer.

When your Hoover washing machine is not properly loaded, it can make your washer go out of balance.

If you are washing bulky and heavy clothing together with smaller ones, there could be an uneven weight distribution.

This can cause the washer to move, vibrate excessively and make loud noises.

Troubleshooting

• Balance your drum by sorting out clothes according to their sizes.
• Make sure to always spread your clothes throughout your washing machine as you load it.
• If your washer starts shaking during the spin cycle, open the door and check if there is an uneven pile of clothes, spread the clothes, and resume your spin cycle.
• Refer to your manufacturer’s manual to determine the maximum capacity of your washer.

3. Washer not properly leveled

Your Hoover washing machine might look like it’s sitting straight but may not be leveled.

A walking washer is most commonly caused by the washer not being leveled, either due to an improperly adjusted leveling leg or an uneven floor.

If your washer is tilted to one side, the washer can shake and move around during the spin cycle and causing it to go off-balance.

Check that your washer is leveled across the front, back, and sides. 

All four legs should sit firmly on a level, solid floor that is not slippery.

If the floor is not level, use the leveling feet to adjust the height of the machine to fit.

How to adjust the leveling feet on your hoover washing machine

To avoid the wobbling and vibration of your washing machine, the legs must be level with all four feet touching the floor.

Follow these steps to level your Hoover washing machine.

1. Place a spirit level on top of your washer and check side to side and front to back to see if it’s leveled, gently rocking the washer to give you an idea where it is out of balance.
2. If it’s not level, turn the locking nut clockwise to release the screw adjuster on the leveling feet.
3. Turn the front leveling feet counterclockwise to lower the leveling feet or clockwise to raise the leveling feet until it is firm and level on the ground.
4. Tighten the locking nuts on the leveling feet in an anticlockwise direction until they reach the base of the washer.
5. Put the spirit level again on your washing machine to check if it’s leveled.
6. If it is, try rocking your washing machine.
7. If it doesn’t move then you’ve successfully leveled your washer.

4. Adjustable leveling legs missing or damaged

Your Hoover washing machine may be moving or shaking due to a missing or damaged leveling leg which is causing your washer to go off balance.

The leveling legs of your Hoover washing machine may be broken or missing while you were moving your washer.

If the leveling legs are missing or damaged, either not threading up or down, you will need to replace them to enable your washing machine to be properly leveled.

Follow these steps on how to replace the adjustable leveling legs of your hoover washing machine

1. Tilt your washer in the opposite direction and support it with a wood block to give you enough space to remove the leg.
2. Use a pair of panel lock pliers or an adjustable wrench to loosen the nut securing the leg you are replacing.
3. Remove the leg by turning it counterclockwise until it releases.
4. Put the new leg into the hole and turn it clockwise to tighten it.
5. Adjust the leg to its previous position to level.
6. Remove the wood block and put your washer back in its operating position.
7. Check to see if your washer is sitting firmly on all four legs.
8. If not, readjust the leg with your plier to level.

5. Faulty Shock Absorbers or Suspension Dampers

Is your Hoover washing machine leveled but still shakes?

If you find out that your washing machine still shakes even though it’s leveled, then it could be caused by worn-out or missing shock absorbers in the washing machine.

Shock absorbers, also known as suspension dampers stabilize the tub in your washer.

The shock absorbers dampen the vibration and drum during washing and spinning so that the washing machine doesn’t jump and move. 

Shock absorbers wear out with time and become less efficient.

Provided you do not overload your washing machine and it is sitting on an even floor, the movement and shaking could be caused by a faulty or missing shock absorber.

If it is the case, then you need to replace the shock absorbers immediately to avoid damage to your washing machine.

Here is how to replace the shock absorbers of your hoover washing machine 

Replacing the shock absorbers of your washing machine shouldn’t be a daunting task.

You’ll need an adjustable wrench, a pair of slip joint pliers, a socket screwdriver, a wood block, and a mallet.

The shock absorbers are attached to the base frame or the outer tub.

1. Disconnect your Hoover washer from the power source.
2. Position the washer such that you can access both the front and rear panels.
3. Tilt the front part of your washing machine and place two 2/4” timber blocks to keep the washer tilted and the front panel elevated slightly so you can access the screws 
4. With your screwdriver, remove the screws holding the front panel and pull out the panel. 
5. You’ll now have access to the two front shock absorbers that have been attached to the base by a locking pin. These lock pins have a little lock tab on them.
6. Reach into the front panel, first on the left till you feel the lock tab on the pin, and press.
7. With the help of your pliers and wrench, pull out the shock absorber.
8. First, position the top by putting the arrowhead fitting up through the slotted opening and turn it 90 degrees counterclockwise.
9. Adjust your wrench properly and have it on the narrow dimension instead of the wide dimension.
10. Slide it into the opening keeping upward pressure on the shock and slide it into the opening.
11. Turn it 90 degrees to lock it in place and then pull the bottom part of the shock absorber down into the mounting bracket on the bottom till it lines up.
12. Take the pin and push it into the opening by hand till it lines up or use the soft-faced hammer to tap it gently in.

Repeat the same procedure on the right side of the front panel.

Now turn to the back of the washer and remove the screws holding the rear panel.

Using the same procedure used for the front panel, remove and replace the two rear shock absorbers.

What can I put under my washing machine to stop it from moving?

To stabilize your washing machine and avoid your washer from moving and shaking during the spin cycle, you can use an Anti-slip rubber mat or Anti-vibration rubber feet pads.

What is an Anti Slip rubber mat?

Anti-slip rubber mats are layers of patterned rubber designed to prevent slips, trips, and falls in arrears which can be slippery.

You can put an Anti-slip rubber mat underneath your washing machine to prevent it from walking.

You should make sure all the washer’s feet are sitting on the mat.

Depending on your washing machine, you may have to trim the rubber mat you find to size as it is not easy to get a mat that fits perfectly under your washer.

What is Anti-vibration rubber feet pads?

Anti-vibration pads are designed to absorb and distribute vibrations to normal levels.

The anti-vibration pads dampen and reduce noise caused by an unstable washing machine.

It works similarly to the anti-slip pads but the anti-vibration pads go only under the feet of your washing machine.

To install the anti-vibration pads you must first level out your washing machine.

Then you gently lift each side of the machine to place the pads under the feet.

It will provide cushioning to the feet against vibrations so your washer will stay in place.

Disadvantages of a Walking washing machine

Having a washing machine that keeps making loud noises and moving any time you do your laundry can be dangerous and problematic. 

The frequent movement can cause your washing machine to be damaged and can also cause power shortages, increased energy consumption, your laundry not being properly done, tearing of the washer’s cords, and damage to your floors among others.

To avoid the safety hazards and inconveniences of your walking washing machine you need to fix it quickly.

Conclusion

• Make sure your washing machine is installed on a level floor that is not slippery.
• Make sure there are no transit bolts on your washing machine.
• Always make sure your laundry loads are even. Separate heavy clothes like towels or jeans from small and light clothes.
• Make sure to check and remove any metallic objects such as clips or hooks, pins, coins, etc from your laundry.
• You can also use anti-vibration pads or rubber mats.
• Make sure your washing machine is not leaning against any wall or item.
• Make sure your washer is installed on a sturdy floor.
• Allow at least 10cm of free space from the back and sides of your washer.
• Thoroughly read the warnings and safety instructions in the user manual.