8 Reasons Your Washer Isn’t Spinning—And How to Fix It Fast

If your washing machine stops spinning, it’s useless. Some reasons a washer stops spinning may be obvious, while others will require some troubleshooting before you identify the root cause of the problem.

Fortunately, most washer spinning issues are easy to resolve, though you may have to order some replacement parts to get the job done. Here are some common reasons why your washer isn’t spinning and how you can fix it.

Signs That Your Washer Isn’t Spinning

So, there’s something wrong with your washer, but you’re having a hard time figuring out the problem. Here are some signs that your washer isn’t spinning:

• Your clothes come out soaked. If you open your washer to find soaking wet clothes, no doubt your washer is skipping the spin cycle.
• There’s a smell of mildew. Opening the washer only to be greeted by the pungent smell of mildew could be the result of leaving your damp laundry in the washer for too long. However, it could also point to a problem with your washer’s spin cycle.
• Heavy loads don’t come out clean. A washer with a broken spin cycle may be more obvious when you attempt to clean heavier loads.
• You can’t sense the spin. If you can’t hear, see, or feel the washer running a spin cycle, it’s safe to assume it isn’t.
• The load is unbalanced. Most washers utilize the spin cycle to arrange and balance the load of laundry. If you’re consistently fighting the “off-balance” alert on your washer, it may not be spinning.

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Reasons Why Your Washer Isn’t Spinning

So, you’ve determined that your washer isn’t spinning—now what? Here’s how to find the reason why your washer’s spin cycle isn’t working and how you can fix it.

The Machine Is Too Full

We get it—why wash two loads of laundry when you can wash them all in one? Your washing machine is only capable of so much, and overfilling it with laundry will cause problems.

While it may not seem like too much, clothes get extremely heavy when they’re soaking wet. All this weight puts a lot of stress on the various components of your washing machine, wreaking havoc on the various parts and compromising the function.

Solution: Take Some Laundry Out

Remove laundry until your washer functions as it should again. When in doubt, follow the manufacturer’s guidance for how much laundry you should put in your washer or calculate your washer’s tub size.

The Load Isn’t Balanced

A washer doesn’t have to be overloaded to have spin cycle issues related to the load of laundry. Oftentimes, the problem boils down to the load simply being out of balance.

This is more common when washing bulky items such as large blankets or towels. Most modern washers will stop spinning and notify you if the load is off balance.

Solution: Rearrange the Laundry

To balance an off-balance washing machine load, rearrange the laundry to sit evenly inside the washer and restart the machine. If the washer continues to unbalance, remove the bulky clothing item and finish the load.

The Lid Switch Is Broken

Nearly every washer in recent history has been fitted with a lid switch, which serves as a safety mechanism that prevents the washer from running with an open lid. If the switch is faulty, the washer will not run a spin cycle.

Solution: Replace the Lid Switch

Luckily, replacing the lid switch is easy on most washers. Here’s how to do it:

1. Unplug the washer.
2. Locate the lid switch.
3. Unscrew and remove the lid switch.
4. Unplug the lid switch from the control panel.
5. Plug in the new lid switch.
6. Install the new lid switch.
7. Plug in the washer.

The Belt Is Broken

Washing machines utilize a belt to turn the heavy drum. Over time, this belt can wear and even break, preventing the washer from spinning at all.

Solution: Replace the Belt

To replace your washer’s belt, follow this process:

1. Unplug the washer.
2. Remove the front and/or top cover to access the drum.
3. Remove the old belt, noting the orientation of the belt on the pulleys.
4. Install the new belt by sliding it around the drum and stretching it around the pulleys.
5. Replace the side and/or top cover.
6. Plug in the washer.

The Washer Isn’t Balanced

Even a well-balanced load of laundry can trigger an off-balance alert on a washing machine if the machine isn’t balanced on the floor.

Solution: Balance the Washer

To ensure the machine is balanced, place it on a level, sturdy spot. Adjust the feet until all four feet sit firmly on the ground and the appliance is sitting level.

The Door Lock Is Broken

Most modern washers, especially front-load washers, feature a door lock that locks the machine closed during the cycle. If the door lock is broken, the washing machine may not function at all. In some cases, it may run a wash cycle but not a spin cycle.

Solution: Replace the Door Lock

The process of replacing a washer door lock is similar to that of a washer lid switch. Here’s how to get it done:

1. Unplug the washer.
2. Locate the door lock.
3. Unscrew and remove the door lock.
4. Unplug the door lock from the control panel.
5. Plug in the new door lock.
6. Install the new door lock.
7. Plug in the washer.

The Drain Pump Is Clogged or Faulty

Your washing machine may fail to run the spin cycle because it cannot drain the water out of the drum. In this case, the problem likely is a result of a clogged or faulty drain pump.

Solution: Clear or Replace the Drain Pump

First, you should access the drain pump and free it of any clogs. If the drain pump is already free of clogs, it’s likely faulty.

The Motor Is Burnt Up

Washing machines require a motor to drive the belt that spins the drum. If the motor burns out, there’s nothing to spin the drum. If the motor is burnt up, the machine may still let you start a wash cycle, but it will eventually stop and never attempt to run a spin cycle.

Solution: Replace the Motor

Surprisingly, a washing machine motor isn’t that difficult to replace. If you’re generally handy and have the right tools, you can likely do it in under an hour, saving major money over a call to an appliance repair professional and saving yourself the purchase of a new washer.

Here’s how to replace your washer’s motor:

1. Unplug the washer.
2. Remove the covers and drum to access the motor.
3. Disconnect the motor from the wiring harness.
4. Unbolt the motor and remove it.
5. Install the new motor and plug it into the wiring harness.
6. Replace the drum and covers.
7. Plug in the washer.

When to Call a Professional for a Washer That’s Not Spinning

If none of the simple solutions above for fixing your washer’s spin cycle have worked, it may be time to call an appliance service technician.

If you are unable to determine the reason your washer isn’t spinning or you suspect it could be an expensive component, it may be more cost-effective to call a professional to diagnose and perform the repair.

Tips to Make Sure Your Washer Spins

• Plug your washer directly into the wall. Rather than using a power strip or an extension cord, plug your washing machine directly into the wall to ensure it’s getting the proper power.
• Load your washer correctly. When loading your washer, make sure to balance the laundry. Avoid filling it with heavy, bulky items.
• Don’t overload your washer. Keep your laundry loads on the lighter side. In most cases, a couple of smaller laundry loads are better than one big one.
• Keep your drain free of clogs. If your washer is struggling to drain the water, it may be due to clogs in the drain pump. Check the pump to ensure the water can flow freely before the spin cycle.
• Lower the spin speed. If your spin cycle starts and stops, it may be moving too fast. Adjust the spin speed and see if you have better luck.
• Adjust the washer’s feet. An unbalanced washing machine will move violently whenever the spin cycle starts and eventually turn off as a result. Make sure your washer is sitting on steady, level ground, and adjust the feet to support the appliance on all four corners.
• Reset the washer. If all else fails, unplug the washer for several minutes to reset it before trying again.