You’re seeing a movie and there it is again. A temporary blur that keeps coming up now and again.
You already know that this is caused by the vibration of your projector. Your question now is, ‘why is my projector vibrating?’
Well, projector vibrations are actually quite common. They are not a reason to fret.
Your projector can be vibrating for one of many reasons. A few tweaks here and there will fix everything up.
Want to know why your projector is vibrating? Do you want to curb the vibrations? Keep reading.
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Why is My Projector Shaking?
Usually, vibrations on a projector are caused by external forces. They can easily be vibrations going through the building.
The vibrations may be caused by air conditioning units. They can also be a result of subwoofers or foot traffic.
Vibrations have a long reach, so they may not be from your floor. From a floor above, they can still affect your projector.
Vibrations may also be due to projector-related issues. Is your projector installed or placed on a shelf?
If your projector isn’t fastened tightly to its mount, it may vibrate easily. Learn how to mount your projector.
Some projectors have strong cooling fans. If not properly installed, the fans may cause the projector to vibrate.
The littlest thing can cause your projector to shake. Even sounds traveling through are enough to mildly affect the projector.
Does it look like there is no avoiding these vibrations? Well, looks can be deceiving.
There are many things you can do to curb projector vibrations.
What To Do About Projector Vibration?
What can you do to stop your projector from vibrating? Fastening it tightly would be a great start.
It’s always best to ensure your projector is firmly installed. Do not give any room for movement, no matter how little.
Here’s another method: strategize. Mount your projector a distance away from where the sound system will be.
Also, mount it away from any wall or other areas prone to constant activity. Sound waves and movements contribute to vibration.
There’s a more common method. You can get accessories or equipment that would help buffer waves.
These accessories act as barriers. They intercept waves that might pass through the projector and cause vibrations.
The barriers can be things like:
The most common of these equipment are the isolator pads.
All these are vibration damping tools. They are used to absorb the vibration emanating from the projector.
How do they work? They change the natural vibration frequency of the vibrating projector.
This reduces the rate of transmitted vibrations.
What is the Best Anti-Vibration Material?
Rubber is generally viewed as the best material for vibration isolation. However, there are different types of rubber.
The properties of the job would determine the type of rubber to be used.
There’s a popular misconception about rubber. People think the word ‘rubber’ only refers to one kind of material.
In reality, there are many different types and compounds of rubber. They are all designed for specific conditions and applications.
Rubber is an essential material. It can be natural or synthesized rubber.
Rubber has long chains. The chains are coiled and have high molecular weights.
These chains, along with certain chemicals, create a network.
As a result, we have a material of high tensile strength. It can bear high deformation of over 200% and regain its original form.
Natural rubber is called an elastomer. In fact, synthetic materials sharing similarities with rubber are also called elastomers.
Rubber or thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) are used to make vibration mounts. These are typically used to make feet for machinery.
A TPE has a lot of advantages. They are also very dependable materials for reducing vibrations.
Thermoplastic elastomers are highly resistant to wear and tear. They also have high flexibility and impact strength.
TPE’s have amazing electrical properties. This is why they are perfect for use with electronics and mechanical equipment.
What is the difference between a vibration isolator and a vibration absorber?
There’s one important detail to take note of: Vibration isolators and vibration absorbers are two different things.
A vibration isolator works to keep vibration at bay. It is used between any two surfaces in contact if one of them constantly vibrates.
A vibration absorber, however, is any material that can absorb vibrations. It lessens the intensity of vibrations from a device.
How Do You Select a Vibration Isolator?
You have to get either a vibration isolator or a vibration absorber. Your choice should depend on the nature of your vibration problems.
For instance, you’re living at a rental. Sadly, their ‘no renovations’ policy does not permit you to drill holes into the walls.
The only option is to get a vibration absorber. Isolators have to be installed into the wall.
If you’re averse to clutter, installing an isolator might be a bit ‘too-much-going-on’ for you. Use a vibration absorber instead.
Which of them is the best? Vibration isolators are the better choice.
Usually, a projector’s vibration is influenced by external forces. Hence, separating the projector from the source of vibration is best.
There are different brands of vibration isolators. They most likely serve different purposes.
There are factors you have to consider before choosing a vibration isolator. What you should look for is a balance of properties.
You need an understanding of how they affect each other. That way, you can decide what factor to focus on in your search.
Some factors to consider are:
- The projector’s center-of-gravity
- Its weight
- The size of your projector
You must consider the weight of your projector unit. The weight decides the type and size of the vibration isolator you need.
The size or shape of your projector is important. It may dictate the type of attachment you use.
These factors also decide the available space for the isolator.
You must consider your projector’s center of gravity. You need it for correct weight distribution.
You may need more than one vibration isolator. They may have different capacities and be mounted at different sides of the projector.
Conclusion
As stated earlier, projector vibration is a common occurrence. There are many simple ways to deal with them.
Half the time, calling a projector technician would be the best thing to do. They are the experts after all.
Technicians would know the best options for you. Calling one is better than running multiple trials and errors on your projector.
The trials can lead to more damage. Here’s some advice: you can just install a vibration isolator from the onset.
Related post: 10 Most Common Projector Display Problems

Gabriella ‘Diogo is a content writer with a vested interest in tech hardware and equipment. She shares her knowledge and processes in an easy-to-grasp, lighthearted style. When she’s not testing or researching device performance, you’ll find her writing short stories or rewatching episodes of her favorite sitcoms.
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Monday 1st of March 2021
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