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Washing Machine Makes a Banging Noise During Spin

Updated August 10, 20263 min readTime needed: 15–25 minutes to diagnose
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Short answer: A rhythmic shaking or 'walking' machine points to imbalance and leveling (see our shaking guide) — a distinct, repeated bang or knock, often once per rotation, more specifically suggests something is physically striking the tub: a loose counterweight, an object trapped in the door boot fold, or a drum support that's come loose.

Common Symptoms

  • A distinct bang, thud, or knock — not a continuous shaking or vibration
  • The sound often repeats once per rotation, especially noticeable as spin speed changes
  • The rest of the cycle (wash, fill) is usually quiet and normal
  • The machine may or may not also shake, but the bang is the dominant, distinguishing symptom

Likely Causes

1. Loose or broken counterweight

Washers use concrete or metal counterweight blocks bolted to the tub to help balance it during spin. If a bolt loosens or a block cracks, it can shift and strike the cabinet or tub with each rotation.

2. Object trapped in the door boot fold (front-loaders)

Small items — coins, buttons, hair clips — can lodge in the fold of the rubber door gasket and knock against the drum or door glass as it spins.

3. Loose or detached drum support/spider arm

If the structural support connecting the drum to its drive shaft has loosened or partially detached, the drum can shift slightly and strike the tub with each rotation.

4. Something left in a pocket

A forgotten item like a pen, lighter, or small toy can bang around inside the drum itself during spin — the simplest and most common cause to rule out first.

Safe Checks You Can Do

  • Check pockets and the drum thoroughly for any forgotten small items before assuming a mechanical fault.
  • On front-loaders, run your fingers carefully around the full fold of the door boot gasket (unplugged) to check for anything trapped.
  • Unplug the machine and gently rock the tub by hand (where accessible) to check for looseness in the counterweight or drum support.
  • Note whether the bang happens at all spin speeds or only once the machine reaches higher RPM.

Step-by-Step Solution

  1. 1

    Empty and check the drum thoroughly

    Remove all laundry and run a hand around the inside of the drum and, on front-loaders, the door boot fold for anything trapped or forgotten.

  2. 2

    Run an empty test cycle

    With the drum confirmed empty, run a spin-only cycle and listen — if the bang continues with nothing inside, it points toward a mechanical cause rather than a forgotten object.

  3. 3

    Inspect visible counterweight bolts

    On many top-loaders, the counterweight is accessible by removing the cabinet top or rear panel — check that mounting bolts are tight and the block itself isn't cracked.

  4. 4

    Check for shaking alongside the banging

    If the machine also shakes or walks, work through our shaking/vibration guide too, since leveling and load balance can compound a banging noise from a separate cause.

What Not to Do

  • Don't run the machine repeatedly with a loose counterweight or drum support — continued operation can worsen the damage and, in rare cases, cause a component to detach further.
  • Don't ignore a banging noise that continues on an empty, confirmed-clear drum — this points to something mechanical that needs attention.
  • Don't attempt to access or re-bolt a counterweight without unplugging the machine first.

When to Call a Professional

  • The bang continues on an empty drum with nothing trapped in the door boot fold.
  • You find a loose or cracked counterweight but aren't comfortable accessing or securing it yourself.
  • You suspect a detached or damaged drum support/spider arm — this typically requires significant disassembly.
  • The banging is getting louder or more frequent over successive loads.

Safety warning

Always unplug the washer before reaching into the drum, checking the door boot fold, or accessing the counterweight or drum support. If a structural component like the spider arm has failed, this repair is best handled by a qualified technician.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is banging different from the shaking my washer already does sometimes?

Shaking or 'walking' is a rhythmic wobble from imbalance, an unlevel floor, or worn suspension — the whole machine moves. Banging is a distinct, usually louder impact sound, often once per rotation, suggesting something is physically striking part of the machine rather than the whole unit swaying.

Could it just be something in my pocket?

Yes, and it's worth ruling out first — pens, coins, and small toys are a surprisingly common and easy-to-fix cause of a banging sound during spin.

Is a loose counterweight dangerous to keep using?

It's not an immediate safety hazard in most cases, but continuing to run the machine can loosen it further or crack it more, turning a simple re-tightening into a full part replacement — worth addressing promptly.

Home Solutions Editorial Team

Reviewed against manufacturer documentation. Updated August 10, 2026. How we write guides

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