Doing laundry is a never-ending chore. When your washing machine suddenly stops spinning, it can bring your laundry routine to a screeching halt. Rather than panicking or calling a repair person right away, take some time to troubleshoot the issue yourself. You might be surprised by what you can fix with some basic tools and a bit of know-how. This do-it-yourself guide will walk you through the steps to diagnose and repair a washing machine that won’t spin. With a little time and effort, you can get your washer spinning like new again. Let’s get started!
Understanding Why a Washing Machine Won’t Spin
When a top-load or front-load washer doesn’t spin, there are a handful of likely culprits. Here are some of the most common reasons a washing machine fails to spin:
- Unbalanced Load: An uneven distribution of clothes inside the wash drum can prevent proper spinning.
- Faulty Lid Switch: The lid switch stops the spin cycle if the washer lid is open. If defective, it will stop spinning even when the lid is closed.
- Worn Out Drive Belt: The drive belt rotates the drum. If loose, worn out, or broken, it will fail to spin properly.
- Defective Motor: The motor powers the drum to spin. If defective, the drum won’t spin.
- Clogged Drain Line: A clog prevents proper draining needed for the spin cycle.
- Faulty Control Board: The control board regulates the spin cycle. If not working properly, it won’t spin.
Don’t worry if you don’t know the exact cause yet. The steps below will walk you through diagnosing the issue so you can determine why your washing machine isn’t spinning.
Tools and Materials Needed
Diagnosing and repairing appliance issues around your home often requires a standard set of tools. Here is a list of the basic tools and materials recommended for troubleshooting and fixing a washing machine that won’t spin:
Essential Tools
- Flashlight
- Flathead screwdriver
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Adjustable pliers
- Multimeter
- Wrench set
Other Helpful Materials
- Clean rags
- Replacement parts like belts, switches, etc.
- Protective gloves & eyewear
Having these tools on hand will ensure you have everything you need before getting started. You likely already have versions of many of these in your home toolbox.
Also Read: How a washing machine pressure sensor works
Step-by-Step Guide to Repair a Washing Machine That Won’t Spin
Follow these steps below to methodically troubleshoot, diagnose, and fix a washing machine that fails to spin:
A. Prepare the Washing Machine for Diagnosis & Repair
Before attempting any repairs, you need to disconnect power to the washing machine and prepare a safe workspace.
Follow these substeps:
- Unplug machine from power source – Unplug the washing machine from the electrical outlet before inspecting any internal components.
- Clear area around the machine – Clear out clutter to allow easy access to all sides of the unit.
- Gather tools & materials – Have all your necessary tools and replacement parts close at hand.
- Protect floor beneath unit – Place drop cloths or towels under the washing machine to catch excess water and protect floors.
B. Diagnose the Issue
With the machine powered off and prepped for repairs, you can now diagnose why it’s failing to spin.
Follow these troubleshooting steps:
- Check for unbalanced loads – Redistribute laundry inside drum to rebalance any uneven loads. Run a spin cycle test to see if balanced redistribution allows proper spinning.
- Inspect the lid switch – Use a flashlight to inspect the lid switch for damage. Test it manually with the machine unplugged. If issues are found, replace the faulty lid switch.
- Assess the drive belt – Check if the drive belt connecting motor and drum looks loose, worn out, or broken. A defective drive belt that slips will prevent spinning.
- Test drum rotation – Try rotating the drum by hand to feel for stiff areas that won’t spin freely. If the drum rotates freely, the issue likely isn’t mechanical.
- Check drain line and pump – Drain line clogs will impede spinning. Inspect for clogs or pump issues. Clear out any clogs found.
As you work through these diagnostic substeps, you should uncover the reason why your washing machine fails to spin.
C. Perform Needed Repairs
Once you’ve diagnosed the problem, follow these troubleshooting tips to complete the repair:
- Replace drive belt – If worn out or broken, fit the drum with a replacement drive belt sized for your machine model.
- Test & replace motor – Use a multimeter to test wiring, windings, and connections on the motor. If defective, replace the motor.
- Clear drain line clogs – Dislodge stuck items in the drain line so water can properly drain out during the spin cycle.
- Swap out lid switch – If diagnosis points to a faulty lid switch, install an identical replacement lid switch.
- Replace control board – For control board issues, replace it with an exactly matching control board.
These repair tips address the most common spinning problems. Replace any parts damaged or worn out over years of use.
D. Reassemble Machine and Confirm Repairs
After finishing repairs, you’re ready to put everything back together and verify all is working properly:
- Reinstall internal components – Replace the outer housing and reinstall any internal parts you removed during diagnosis.
- Run a test spin cycle – With no laundry inside, run a short spin test cycle to confirm your washing machine now spins normally before doing laundry.
- Do a test load of laundry – Once spinning successfully without clothes, do a test load of laundry to verify normal wash & spin action.
With the test cycles complete, your washing machine should now be able to finish a full wash and spin cycle, permitting you to catch up on laundry!
Tips to Prevent Future “Won’t Spin” Problems
Completing repairs can be a chore. Follow these maintenance tips to avoid similar spinning problems down the road:
- Leave door open – Leave the washer door open between loads so moisture doesn’t build up, leading to mildew odors.
- Use machine cleaner – Using washer cleaner monthly keeps all components working properly.
- Inspect hoses & belts – Check hoses and belts yearly for wear and have replacements on hand when needed.
- Clean lint trap – Regularly remove collected lint from trap to prevent clogs that can impede spinning.
- Level the machine – Use a bubble level annually to confirm washer is still evenly level and stable.
- Spread out clothes – When loading clothes, evenly fill the drum without overcrowding or off-balancing.
Common Washing Machine Spinning Problems
While working on your washer, you may discover other issues causing failure to spin properly. Here is a handy table summarizing the most frequent spinning problems and their solutions:
| Spinning Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
| Loud grinding noise during spin | Failed drive belt | Replace worn/broken drive belt |
| Leaking water under machine | Drain hose leak | Tighten hose clamp connections |
| Clothes remain soaked after wash | Clogged drain line | Dislodge & remove debris clogging drain |
| Spin cycle starts & stops | Unbalanced clothes load | Redistribute clothes evenly in drum |
| Machine shakes violently during spin | Uneven leveling | Re-level unit using adjustable feet |
| Spin light blinks but no spin | Defective control board | Replace faulty control board |
Familiarize yourself with these common issues so you can tackle them efficiently should they arise with your machine in the future.
When to Call a Professional
While many minor spinning issues can be DIY repaired, more complex problems are best left to qualified appliance specialists. Contact a technician for assistance if you encounter these major mechanical issues:
- Failed drive motor needs full replacement
- Snapped suspension rods cause unstable tub
- Leaking hoses requiring access to internal housing
- Bad bearings/shock absorbers indicating complete transmission rebuild
Diagnosing major damage often requires specialized expertise and tools. Professional appliance repair technicians have the advanced technical skills and experience needed to properly service complex mechanical washing machine problems.
Also Read: A Step-by-Step Guide to Installing a Washing Machine
Conclusion
I hope this comprehensive DIY guide gives you the troubleshooting tips and repair techniques needed to get your washing machine spinning smoothly. Remember to always unplug the power cord for safety before attempting to service any appliance. With some helpful diagnostics and a few replacement parts, you will once again enjoy fully operational wash cycles. Tackling basic repairs yourself saves the hassle and expense of professional appliance service calls.