Washer Won't Spin

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 spin cycle. 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.

Inspect the drive belt to determine if it is broken or if it is loose on the pulleys. If the drive belt is broken or loose, replace it.

The door latch secures the washer door shut during operation. Once the washer door is shut, 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.

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 clutch assembly makes the connection between the transmission and the inner tub. It helps the tub to gradually get up to the proper spin speed. If the clutch is worn out, it may prevent the tub from spinning. The clutch is not repairable—if the clutch is worn out, replace it.

The drive pulley connects to the washer drum and works with the drive belt and motor to rotate the drum. If the drive pulley is worn out, the drive belt might slip off, preventing the washer from spinning. Remove the drive pulley and inspect it. If the drive pulley is defective, replace it.

The clutch makes the connection between the transmission and the inner tub. It helps the tub to gradually get up to the proper spin speed. If the clutch is worn out, it may prevent the tub from spinning. If the clutch band kit is worn out, replace it.

Make sure the lid or door is closed completely. Remove any obstructions. Confirm the door strike on the door or lid is not broken. If it is broken, you will need to replace the door strike.

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 spinning during the spin cycle. 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.

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 tub bearing is mounted in the middle of the outer tub of the washing machine. The tub bearing helps to keep the inner tub spinning smoothly. If the tub bearing is defective, it can lock up and prevent the washer from spinning. The washer may also make a loud rumbling noise. Replacing the tub bearing is a very involved repair and will require disassembling most of the washer. If the tub bearing is defective, we recommend replacing both the outer tub and bearing as an assembly.

The tub bearing and seal is mounted in the middle of the outer tub of the washing machine. The tub bearing helps to keep the inner tub spinning smoothly. If the tub bearing is defective, it can lock up and prevent the washer from spinning. The washer may also make a loud rumbling noise. Replacing the tub bearing is a very involved repair and will require disassembling most of the washer. If the tub bearing is defective, we recommend replacing both the outer tub and bearing.

The rear drum has a bearing or bearings in it to keep the inner tub spinning smoothly. If the tub bearing system is defective the washer can become very noisy and the tub can stop spinning. On some machines bearings are sold separately from the rear drum, however we recommend replacing both the outer drum and bearing as an assembly if the manufacturer offers the components together because removing and pressing in the new bearing can be exceptionally difficult. Be aware that replacing the outer tub and bearing is also not easy and can be very costly.

The bearing is mounted in the middle of the outer tub. The bearing helps to keep the inner tub spinning smoothly. If the tub bearing is defective, and the bearing is sold separately, replace it. If the bearing is not available separately, replace the outer tub and bearing as an assembly. Replacing the outer tub and bearing is a difficult and costly repair—if the bearing is defective, consider replacing the entire washing machine.

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.

The basket drive sits on top of the transmission and engages with the inner tub. If the transmission is engaging to spin, and the outer tub spins slowly or does not spin at all, the spin tube tabs may be stripped. Alternatively, the drive block on the spin tube may be stripped. Inspect both the spin tube tabs and the drive block. If the spin tube tabs and drive block are not worn out, the clutch pads on the basket drive are likely worn out. If the clutch pads are worn out, you must replace the basket drive.

The washer transmission might be worn out or defective. Transmissions have gears in them that can fail causing the washer to not spin. However, this is almost never the case. Before replacing the transmission, first check all of the other more commonly defective parts.