Vibration or an off-balance NTW4516 has three causes in Amana's guide: feet that are not in firm contact with the floor and locked, a washer that is not level (check the floor for flexing; a 3/4 in plywood piece under the washer reduces sound), and an unbalanced load. Load dry items in loose heaps evenly around the basket wall; wet items or extra water added afterwards can unbalance the washer; wash smaller loads, do not pack tightly, and avoid single items. Use the Bulky Items & Sheets cycle for oversized non-absorbent items such as jackets and small comforters.
Differential
Likely causes of “Amana NTW4516 top-load washer shakes, walks or bangs during spin”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Feet not in firm contact with the floor
What separates it The washer rocks and vibrates because its feet are not in firm contact with the floor
How to confirm Front and rear feet must sit firmly and be locked
- 2
An unlevel washer or a flexing floor
What separates it There is vibration and noise because the washer is unlevel or the floor flexes
How to confirm Level it; use 3/4 in plywood under the washer if the floor flexes
- 3
An unbalanced load
What separates it The washer shakes in the spin because the load is unbalanced
How to confirm Redistribute the load in loose heaps, and restart the spin
- 4
Adding wet items late
What separates it There is a sudden imbalance because wet items were added late
How to confirm Add only dry items in loose heaps before the cycle
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the washer rocks when pushed
- What was in the load when it shook
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedLevel and lock the feet
ReversibleLevel and lock the feet, so that the front and the rear are in firm contact with the floor.
Check the floor
ReversibleCheck the floor, since three quarter inch plywood under the washer reduces sound on an uneven floor.
Load correctly
ReversibleLoad correctly, in loose heaps, with dry items, no tight packing and no single items.
Use the right cycle
ReversibleUse the right cycle, and choose Bulky Items and Sheets for jackets and small comforters.
Wash smaller loads
ReversibleWash smaller loads, to reduce the imbalance that makes the washer shake, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Moving the washer
- To move the NTW4516, shut off both faucets, disconnect and drain the inlet hoses, disconnect the drain hose and drain it into a pan, unplug the cord and place the hoses and cord inside the basket, then fit the packing tray or blankets and tape the lid. Keep the washer upright, and re-level it at the new location before use.
- Feet, floor and locking
- Amana's troubleshooting table starts with the feet: front and rear feet must be in firm contact with the floor and locked, and the washer must be level to operate properly. If the floor flexes or sags, a 3/4 in (19 mm) piece of plywood under the washer reduces sound. Adding wet items or extra water to the basket after the cycle has started can unbalance the washer, so add only dry items before starting.
- Bulky items on the NTW4516
- For oversized, non-absorbent items such as jackets and small comforters the guide sends you to the Bulky Items & Sheets cycle, which fills with enough water to wet the load before the wash begins and uses a higher water level than other cycles. Wash smaller loads to reduce imbalance, avoid single items, and mix different-sized items to reduce tangling. Sheets and other large items go in loose piles around the basket wall rather than wrapped around the agitator.
- Parts for this problem on the NTW4516 (RepairClinic, 2026-09-21)
- suspension rod kit, part number W10780045, at $75.94; washer for agitator bolt, part number WP3949550, at $16.06; leveling leg, part number WPW10687506, at $23.43.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the NFW5800 front-load washer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the tub bangs the cabinet, stop and call Amana service
- !If the vibration continues with a level washer and balanced load, call service
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Amana's own table of top-load washer codes and resolutions.
Amana's own symptom articles for top-load washers, each.
A dealer listing giving the NTW4516FW's capacity, cabinet size and feature list.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-21.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does my NTW4516 shake?+
Unlevel feet, a flexing floor, or an unbalanced load.
What helps on a soft floor?+
A 3/4 in (19 mm) plywood sheet under the washer.
Should I wash a single item?+
Avoid washing a single item, since it cannot balance the basket.
Does adding water help?+
No; added water or wet items can unbalance the washer.
Which cycle for a jacket?+
Use the Bulky Items and Sheets cycle for a jacket, so the load spins well.
What are sensing hums?+
The washer checks load balance with a series of spins.