How to fix a washing machine that won't spin
A washer that won’t spin leaves your clothes soaking wet. Often the cause is something you can fix in a few minutes. Start with the quick checks below. If none of them work, the problem is probably a part that needs professional washing machine repair.
Safety first: unplug the washer before you touch the drain hose, the pump filter or anything behind a panel. Never tape down, hold down or bypass a lid switch or door lock to make the drum spin. Those parts keep hands away from a drum that spins very fast.
Quick checks you can do yourself
These follow the same order as Whirlpool’s washer not draining or spinning guide. Your owner’s manual has the details for your model.
1. Make sure the lid or door is fully closed
The washer won’t spin unless the lid or door is closed and its switch or lock engages. Many newer top-load washers also lock the lid during the spin. If a lid or door light is flashing, or the lid or door won’t latch, look for clothing caught in the door or anything blocking the latch.
2. Check the cycle and spin setting
Delicate, hand-wash and gentle cycles spin slowly on purpose, so clothes come out wetter. A low-spin or no-spin option may also be selected. Run a Drain & Spin (or Rinse & Spin) cycle at the normal spin speed and see whether the drum spins.
3. Rebalance the load
Modern washers sense an uneven load and slow down or stop the spin to protect themselves. One heavy item, like a rug, comforter or bath mat, is hard to balance. Spread the wet items around the drum, or add a couple of towels. An overloaded drum causes the same problem. Make sure the washer sits level and doesn’t rock from corner to corner.
4. Look for too many suds
Too much detergent, or regular detergent in a high-efficiency (HE) washer, makes extra suds that can slow or stop the spin. If your washer is marked HE, use HE detergent and measure it. A rinse cycle with no detergent helps clear the suds.
5. Make sure the water is draining
Most washers won’t spin until the water drains. If water is still standing in the drum:
- Check that the drain hose isn’t kinked, crushed behind the washer or clogged.
- Check that the hose isn’t pushed too far down into the drain pipe. It should be secured the way your installation instructions show.
- Many front-load washers have a drain pump filter behind a small door at the bottom front, where coins, hair ties and lint collect. Unplug the washer, let hot water cool, and lay down towels and a shallow pan before you open it: water will come out. Your manual shows where the filter is and how to open it.
6. Reset after a power interruption
If the power blinked during the cycle, the control may need a reset. Unplug the washer for a few minutes, plug it back in and try a Drain & Spin cycle.
7. If nothing runs at all, check the power
Make sure the washer is plugged in firmly, and check the breaker. Plug the washer straight into the wall outlet, not into an extension cord or power strip. If the breaker trips again when you start the washer, leave it off and call for service.
Signs your washer isn't spinning properly
If your washer is in a garage, basement or closed laundry room, you may not notice right away. Watch for:
- clothes that come out soaked or dripping
- no sound or vibration from the spin at the end of the cycle
- water left in the drum after the cycle ends
- loads that don’t come out clean
- a musty or mildew smell
Related topic: Sears Appliance Repair (who makes Kenmore washers and dryers)
Washer problems that need a technician
If the quick checks don’t fix it, these are the causes we find most often:
- A failed lid switch or door lock. If the control can’t confirm the lid or door is locked, it won’t spin.
- A clogged or failed drain pump. You may hear it hum while no water moves.
- A worn or broken drive belt on belt-drive models, or a worn motor coupling on some older direct-drive models.
- A drive motor or motor control board problem. The drum may start to spin, then stop after a few seconds.
- Worn tub bearings, or a transmission or shifter problem. These usually come with loud roaring, grinding or banging during the spin.
These repairs mean removing panels near live wiring and handling heavy parts, so they’re best left to a trained technician.
When to call a washer repair technician
If your washer still won’t spin after these checks, Near Appliance Repair can find the cause and fix it. All of our technicians live in the areas they service, across Edmond, Oklahoma City and nearby communities.
You get a written estimate before any work begins. Service call fee waived with completed repair. Repairs come with 1 year on labor and 1 year on qualified installed parts.
Call (405) 534-4788 (we’re open 7 days a week) or reach us through our contact page. It helps to have your washer’s model number ready; here’s how to find it.