Kenmore's top-loader troubleshooting for vibration or an off-balance load lists three causes: feet not in contact with the floor and locked (front and rear feet must be in firm contact and the washer level), the washer not level (check for a floor that flexes or sags; a 3/4 in piece of plywood under the washer reduces sound), and an unbalanced load (load dry items in loose heaps evenly around the basket wall, wash smaller loads, do not pack tightly, avoid single items and use the Bulky Bedding cycle for oversized items). The front-loader's guide adds that properly levelling avoids excessive noise and vibration, the four feet must be tightened with a 17 mm wrench and the shipping bolts removed.
Differential
Likely causes of “Kenmore 110-series front-load washer shakes, walks or bangs during spin”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Feet not in firm contact or nuts not tight
What separates it The washer rocks because the feet are not in firm contact or the nuts are not tight
How to confirm Tighten all four feet against the cabinet, and level the washer
- 2
A flexing floor
What separates it The vibration returns after levelling because the floor flexes under the washer
How to confirm Use a 3/4 inch plywood sheet under the washer
- 3
An unbalanced load
What separates it There is thumping in the spin because the load is unbalanced
How to confirm Rearrange the load in loose heaps, and run the spin
- 4
Shipping bolts
What separates it There is violent shaking because the shipping bolts are still fitted
How to confirm Remove them, and then level the washer again
- 5
Top-loader (110-series HE, Water Level knob): the washer is not level
What separates it Front and rear feet are not in firm contact with the floor and the washer rocks
How to confirm Level the washer using the installation instructions so it stands firmly on all feet
- 6
Top-loader (110-series HE, Water Level knob): an unbalanced load
What separates it Vibration and thumping appear during spin with a few heavy items
How to confirm Load dry items in loose heaps evenly and avoid washing single items
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the washer rocks when you push it
- What was in the load when it shook
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedRemove shipping bolts
ReversibleRemove the shipping bolts, if they are present, before you use the washer, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Level and tighten
ReversibleUse a level on the top edge, side to side then front to back; tighten the feet nuts with a 17 mm wrench.
Check the floor
ReversibleCheck the floor, which must be solid, and add plywood if it flexes, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Rebalance the load
ReversibleRebalance the load, in loose heaps, and avoid washing single items, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Test
ReversibleTest with a spin, by running a spin, and watching the washer, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Level and check the floor
ReversibleKenmore says front and rear feet must be in firm contact with the floor and the washer must be level to operate properly. Check the floor for flexing or sagging; if flooring is uneven, a piece of plywood under the washer will reduce noise.
Load for balance
ReversibleLoad dry items in loose heaps evenly around the basket wall, wash smaller loads to reduce imbalance, do not pack tightly, avoid washing single items and use the Bulky Bedding cycle for oversized non-absorbent items like comforters or poly-filled jackets. Adding wet items or extra water after starting can unbalance the washer.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Levelling steps in Kenmore's words
- Kenmore's front-loader guide says that if the washer is against a wall, move it out slightly before tipping it back; if it is not level, first prop the front with a wood block and adjust the feet, then prop the back and adjust, and repeat until level. Make sure all four feet are stable, check with a level, and tighten the nuts against the cabinet; when you push on the edges of the top plate the machine should not move.
- Why shaking matters
- A washer that moves in the spin puts strain on hoses and the drain, and can pull a drain hose out of the standpipe, so vibration is also a leak risk. Kenmore's fixes are cheap: bolts out, feet down and tight, a solid floor and a balanced load.
- Plywood and floors
- On a floor that flexes or sags Kenmore says a 3/4 inch (19 mm) piece of plywood under the washer reduces sound; the front-loader's installation section also calls for a sturdy solid floor to support the washer's total weight. A washer on a wooden joist floor near a room with a pedestal or a raised platform can amplify vibration more than the machine itself produces, so solid ground matters as much as levelling.
- Front-loader guide: level, floor and load
- Kenmore's own 110.4996x guide asks first whether the washer is level, with the four feet installed and their nuts tightened against the cabinet, then whether it stands on a sturdy solid floor; 3/4 inch (19.1 mm) plywood beneath the washer, extended under the dryer, can reduce noise and vibration. A single bulky item can unbalance a load, and the imbalance routine may pause the displayed time while it redistributes the load. Add items or redistribute the wet laundry and run Drain & Spin.
- Vibration causes
- Kenmore lists the causes as feet not in contact with the floor, the washer not level, and a load that may be unbalanced. Level using the Installation Instructions, and remember that clicking or metallic noises can also come from trapped objects.
- Parts for this problem on the FRONT (RepairClinic, 2026-09-21)
- spring-spool, part number 791-610317B, at $12.35.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the 110-series top-load washer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the washer walks after these fixes, call Kenmore on 1-800-4-MY-HOME
- !If the drum hits the cabinet, stop using it
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Kenmore's own guide for the 110 front-loader in full: the pages that carry the troubleshooting, care and cleaning sections are images, so they were read by text recognition and checked against the printed page.
Whirlpool's own table of front-load washer codes, used for the builder's front-load platform.
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 Kenmore 110 shake?+
Feet, floor, load or shipping bolts.
How do I level the front-loader?+
Tip the washer, adjust feet, check with a level and tighten the nuts with a 17 mm wrench.
Should I wash one item?+
Avoid it, since a single item can make the load unbalanced.
Which cycle for a comforter?+
Use Bulky Bedding on the top loader, for a comforter.
Can adding wet items unbalance the washer?+
Yes, adding wet items or more water can unbalance it.
What cycle suits a comforter?+
The Bulky Bedding cycle suits oversized non-absorbent items.