Washer Won't Spin or Agitate

The lid switch assembly prevents the washer from spinning when the lid is open. If the lid switch assembly fails, the washer will not spin. To determine if the lid switch assembly is defective, use a multimeter to test the lid switch for continuity. If the lid switch does not have continuity, replace it.

On most top load machines the washer will not agitate or spin without the lid being fully closed. Close the lid after loading the washer and ensure there are no obstructions.

The drive motor might be defective. However, the drive motor is rarely at fault for this symptom. Before replacing the drive motor, first check all of the more commonly defective washer components. If none of those components are defective, consider replacing the drive motor. To determine if the drive motor is defective, first ensure that the motor is getting power. If the drive motor hums but doesn’t run, is noisy, or does not turn freely, replace it.

Since a washing machine control board provides voltage to nearly all of the washer's electrical components, a faulty board may not be sending power to the drive motor during the wash or spin cycle. If power is not reaching the drive motor, you should first confirm the lid or door switch test properly with a multimeter. If the lid or door switch is working properly, the control board is likely at fault. You can inspect the board for signs of burning or a shorted-out component. You can also use a multimeter to test the power output terminals on the board after reviewing the appliance's wiring diagram.

The stator interacts with the rotor to create a strong electromagnetic field which rotates the tub in either direction. If the windings on the stator are damaged, the washer will not spin or agitate. Check the stator for damaged windings or other defects.

The rotor interacts with the stator to create a strong electromagnetic field, which rotates the tub in either direction. If the magnets on the rotor are damaged, or any part of the rotor is defective, the washer may not spin or agitate. To determine if the rotor is defective, inspect the rotor for damage. If the rotor is damaged, replace it.

The door latch secures the washer door shut during operation. Once the washer door is closed, the washer can begin operating. If the washer door is not latched shut, the door switch will prevent the washer from operating. If the door latch is defective, the washer will not spin or start. The door latch can fail either mechanically or electrically. Inspect the door latch for damage. If the door latch is damaged, or does not close properly, replace it. To determine if the door latch has failed electrically, use a multimeter to test any switches on the door latch for continuity. If one of the switches does not have continuity when activated, replace the switch.

Confirm the washer/dryer is plugged in and there is power at the wall receptacle. You can plug another small appliance into the recepticle to confirm there is power. If there is no power, confirm the circuit breaker has not tripped.

A washing machine drain pump assists in removing the water from the tub by forcing the water through a drain hose to a laundry tub or drain pipe. Since water may be drained from the tub multiple times during a wash cycle, a defective drain pump may interrupt operation and prevent the tub from agitating or spinning. If there is still water in the tub after the washer stops, inspect the drain pump for any obstruction. You can also use a multimeter to test the drain pump for electrical continuity to help determine if the pump is able to function or not.

Confirm the washer/dryer is plugged in and there is power at the wall receptacle. You can plug another small appliance into the recepticle to confirm there is power. If there is no power, confirm the circuit breaker has not tripped.

The door lock secures the washer door shut during operation. Once the washer door is closed, the washer can begin operating. If the door lock is defective, the washer door will not latch properly. The door lock can fail either mechanically or electrically. Inspect the door lock for damage. If the door lock is damaged or does not latch properly, replace it. To determine if the door lock has failed electrically, use a multimeter to test each of the door lock switches for continuity. If one of the switches does not have continuity, replace the switch.

The motor control board provides power to the motor. If the motor control board is defective, the washer may not function properly or may not work at all. First, check the control board for burned out components. To determine if the motor control board is defective, ensure that the control board is providing power to the motor. If the control board has power, but is not providing power to the motor, replace it.

The washer transmission might be worn out or defective. Transmissions have gears in them that can fail causing the washer to not spin or agitate. However, this is almost never the case. Before replacing the transmission, first check all of the other components in this troubleshooting guide. If the motor is turning the transmission, but the washer won’t spin or agitate, consider replacing the transmission.

If a top-load washer won't spin or agitate, a broken suspension rod could be making the tub unbalanced and unable to rotate properly. Inspect the suspension rods for damage and replace if necessary - it is recommended that all suspension rods be replaced at the same time for more even wear.

A shift actuator is the component used on top-load washers to change the tub rotation from agitate to spin. If the tub is not spinning or agitating, a broken shift actuator may be responsible. You should inspect the component for damage and replace if necessary.

If a washer is not spinning or agitating, you should first determine if the drive motor is running and if power is reaching the drive motor. If no power if reaching the drive motor, and the lid swith assembly or door latch test appropriately with a multimeter, then the timer is likely malfunctioning. Since this is rarely the case, you should confirm all of the other likely defective components are functioning normally before considering a timer replacement.

Clutch

Door Lock

If a washer is not spinning or agitating, you should first determine if the drive motor is running and if power is reaching the drive motor. If no power if reaching the drive motor, and the lid swith assembly or door latch test appropriately with a multimeter, then the main control board is likely malfunctioning. Since this is rarely the case, you should confirm all of the other likely defective components are functioning normally before considering a control board replacement.