Mechanical vibrations can alter static and dynamic distributions of fluids in porous matrices. A popular theory that explains non-destructive changes in fluids percolation induced by vibrations involves elasticity of a solid matrix and compressibility of fluids. Owing to strong damping, elastic and acoustic deformations always remain bounded to narrow zones (a few centimetres) near the source of vibrations. However, field trials prove the existence of the effects that are induced by vibrations in geological reservoirs on a longer scale (100 m). In this study, we develop a non-elastic theory, assessing the time-averaged effects induced by small-amplitude high-frequency vibrations. We examine the immiscible liquid/liquid displacement flows in a capillary (which is a building element of a porous matrix) subjected to translational vibrations. We find that strong-enough vibrations alter the shapes of menisci and change the rates of displacement flows. We find that vibrations slow down or even stop the displacement flows (which is contrary to a common expectation that vibrations help to release fluids from a porous matrix).This article is part of the theme issue ‘New trends in pattern formation and nonlinear dynamics of extended systems’.