For a Kenmore 796 washer that vibrates Kenmore's table lists these causes: shipping bolts and packaging materials were not removed (see the unpacking and removing shipping bolts section), the washer load is out of balance or unevenly distributed (pause the cycle and redistribute the load after the door unlocks), the load includes shoes or tightly tangled clothes, not all leveling feet are resting firmly and evenly on the floor (see Leveling the Washer), and the floor is not rigid enough (make sure it is solid and does not flex). Heavy loads may produce a thumping sound that is normal, but if it continues the washer is probably out of balance.
Differential
Likely causes of “Kenmore 796-series front-load washer shakes, walks or bangs during spin”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Shipping bolts or packaging left in
What separates it There is violent shaking from the first use because shipping bolts or packaging were left in
How to confirm Remove them per the installation instructions, and then level the washer
- 2
Feet not resting firmly and evenly
What separates it There is rocking and walking because the feet are not resting firmly and evenly
How to confirm Level the washer, so that all four feet rest firmly
- 3
A floor that flexes
What separates it There is vibration that returns because the floor flexes
How to confirm Use a solid floor, and move the washer if needed
- 4
An unbalanced or unevenly distributed load
What separates it There is thumping because the load is unbalanced or unevenly distributed
How to confirm Pause and redistribute the load, and then restart
- 5
Top-loader (796.3143): packaging or transit materials were not removed
What separates it The washer walks or vibrates hard from the first cycle
How to confirm Remove the shipping materials as described in the unpacking section of the installation requirements
- 6
Top-loader (796.3143): the washer is not level or the floor flexes
What separates it Vibration is worst during the spin and changes with the load
How to confirm Adjust the leveling feet so all four rest firmly and check that the floor is solid
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- What was in the load when it shook
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck the shipping bolts
ReversibleCheck the shipping bolts, and check the packaging, and remove them if they are present.
Level the washer, so that all four feet rest firmly
ReversibleLevel the washer, so that all of the leveling feet are firmly and evenly on the floor.
Check the floor
ReversibleCheck the floor, which must be solid and not flexing under the washer, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Redistribute the load
ReversibleRedistribute the load, and pause and wait for the door to unlock first, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Remove shoes and tangled items
ReversibleRemove shoes and tangled items, or wash them separately from the rest, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Level the washer
ReversibleNot all leveling feet may be resting firmly and evenly on the floor. Kenmore says to see Leveling the Washer in the installation instructions and that the floor must be solid and not flex; a plywood piece under the washer can also reduce noise on a weak floor.
Balance the load
ReversiblePause the cycle and redistribute the load after the lid unlocks. A large item above the top of the tub or a heavy single item makes the washer bounce, so use the BULKY/BEDDING cycle for big items and never wash more than half a load of items that float, such as pillows.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Installation requirements
- Kenmore's installation requirements cover choosing the proper location, flooring and clearances, unpacking and removing shipping material, connecting the water lines and drain hose, connecting power and levelling. A washer that shakes in the first week has usually missed one of these, and shipping bolts are the commonest miss.
- Steam and heavy loads
- Heavy loads and steam cycles can make the washer sound different. Steam exiting is normal, the door may be very warm during a steam cycle, and heavy loads can thump. None of these calls for service on its own; the fixes are balance, levelling and a solid floor.
- Washer storage and moving
- When moving or storing the washer the shipping bolts should be refitted to hold the drum steady. Kenmore's storage steps also cover a freezing area: turn off the water, drain the hoses, add 1 gallon of nontoxic RV antifreeze to the drum, run the drain pump with POWER then SPIN SPEED and START/PAUSE, dry the drum and store the washer upright. A washer moved without its bolts is a common source of new vibration.
- Installation causes
- Vibrating noise is listed with two installation causes: packaging materials not removed, and the leveling feet not all resting firmly on the floor. A load unevenly distributed in the tub is the operating cause, and the washer should be stopped and the load spread out.
- Parts for this problem on the FRONT (RepairClinic, 2026-09-21)
- shock absorber, part number ACV72909506, at $47.40; suspension rod assembly, part number 4902FA1665W, at $35.94.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the 796-series top-load washer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the washer keeps shaking after these checks, call Kenmore Customer Care on 1-844-553-6667
- !If the drum hits the cabinet, stop using it
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Kenmore's own manual for the 796 top-loader.
LG's own list for the maker of the 796 platform: IE inlet, OE drain, dE door, UE unbalance, LE motor rotation and PF power failure to confirm the display letters the Kenmore guide's scan could not show.
LG's own top-load list, which carries the same IE, OE, UE, dE, LE and PF letters used by the 796.3143 top-loader.
Kenmore's own manual lookup, where the model number identifies the original 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 Elite shake?+
Shipping bolts, feet, the floor or an unbalanced load.
Can shoes cause vibration?+
Yes; Kenmore lists washing shoes or tightly tangled clothes.
Why does the top-loader thump?+
Heavy loads can thump; it is normal but may show imbalance.
Can the floor cause vibration?+
Yes, a floor that flexes causes vibration and noise.