How to stop a washing machine from walking?

Susan Llewellyn
by Susan Llewellyn

I have front loading washer and dryer both sitting on drawer pedestals. When I do laundry the washing machine will sometimes walk out of place. People have said it is the result of an unbalanced load but I have looked and the load seems even. Is there a way to keep the machine anchored or penned in to stop this?


  19 answers
  • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on Nov 17, 2020

    You can get rubber feet to fit under the 4 feet. It will keep it from walking and will reduce vibration noise. You can find these rubber feet in appliance section at places like Home Depot or Lowe's. We had a problem with a front load washer because movers didn't secure the drum during our move and it got screwed up.

  • Recreated Designs Recreated Designs on Nov 17, 2020

    Hi Susan, could you try putting something in front of the two corners like a brick on each side. The weight of the brick might be enough to keep the machine from moving.

  • Dee Dee on Nov 17, 2020

    If you can get someone to help you lift the washer, put a rubber mat between the washer and the pedestal, and check the built in feet to make sure they are level. If they are not level that is why the washer is moving if the loads are balanced.

  • Janice Janice on Nov 17, 2020

    Hi Susan, here's a video that may help you with your problem. At about 0:47 in the video the repair person discusses the leveling legs of any washing machine (whether front or top loading). So, I think the information would apply to your pedestals. Hope it helps!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bipjovHyeZE

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Nov 17, 2020

    Hi Susan,

    Don't over load the machine . If the machine is overloaded or has one heavy item and lots of small items it will be unbalanced and when it spins it spins out of control.

  • Very often the problem is the washer is not level. Get a bubble level and check your washer.

  • William William on Nov 17, 2020

    The feet need to be adjusted. Some have adjustable feet only in the front. Some have them on all fours corners. Use a level front to back and side to side

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Nov 17, 2020

    front load washers have screw in legs that balance the machine you will need to take a wrench and adjust the legs until you have a level machine and that will stop the walking they are on the bottom of the pedestals usually

  • Mogie Mogie on Nov 17, 2020

    Unlevel Internal Settings:

    During a move or DIY repair, the wash drum can slip out of position. Test the internal settings by placing a basic level on top of the washer. If the tool shows that the top section of the machine is out of balance, it’s safe to also assume that the internal drum has also moved from its original position.


    Unlevel Ground or Feet:

    When it is placed on uneven ground, a washing machine’s “feet” shift into awkward positions. Using a level, determine which side of the washer has shifted higher or lower than the other. To do this, tilt the machine back to expose the front “let” and locking nut. Adjust the leg slightly, then place the washer down and reanalyze the level. Note: this test requires the help of an extra person and should not be tried alone.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Nov 17, 2020

    Have to agree with the Hometalkers who say it is out of balance, get a level and see where the bubble is when you set it on your washer. The legs may need adjustment.

    Be careful to not overload your washer.

    In addition, you could run a clothes free load, that's right, only water in the washer and see what it does.

    As an aside, we have a front loader, hubby was doing the laundry 1 day and so overloaded it , the core of the items in it were dry at the end of the cycle. But what to do from there. NO, I did not remove him from doing the laundry. A learning curve was in effect.

  • Peggy L Burnette Peggy L Burnette on Nov 17, 2020

    Hi Susan, hope this helps you with your washing machine. How to keep my washer from walking?

    How to Stop the Washing Machine from Walking

    1. Make sure the washing machine is level. Figure this out with a good old fashioned bubble level. ...
    2. Attach some non-slip, anti-vibration pads to the bottom of your washer's legs. ...
    3. Take precautions to balance your washer load every time you do laundry.

    Jun 25, 2013


    How to Stop the Washing Machine from Walking | Apartment ...

    www.apartmenttherapy.com › stop-your-washing-machin...



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  • Put the spin cycle on low. The less rattling the less likely it is to move

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Nov 18, 2020

    You might need to make sure the washer is level. It has a leveling feature so check that first and make sure it is level.

    A load out of balance will definitely cause the machine to move. It may appear balanced but it is a weight issue. I think it is much trickier for front loading machines.

  • Our washer had little feet on the bottom and I turn them every so often and it helps straighten it out and make it so it isn't wobbly and won't get off balance.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Nov 18, 2020

    Hi! When mine did that, the service tech adjusted it so it was level. No more problems. Good luck!

  • Jeremy Hoffpauir Jeremy Hoffpauir on Nov 20, 2020

    Make sure all 4 legs are touching the ground and level.

  • Maura White Maura White on Nov 20, 2020

    Maybe you are overloading it. When the load doesn't spin evenly, that is when it tends to move.

  • Annie Annie on Nov 24, 2020

    This may be the case that one of the feet need to be adjusted. If one is out of adjustment then the weight of the washer is actually on three feet.