Washer Not Spinning: Causes and Fixes

Most washers that won't spin are reacting to the load, not a broken part. An unbalanced or overloaded drum, too many suds, a low-spin cycle, or water that hasn't drained will all stop or slow the spin. If those check out, the usual failed parts are the lid switch or lid lock on a top-loader, the door lock on a front-loader, the drive belt, or the motor and its controls.

Start with the load and the settings

Whirlpool lists several everyday causes of a washer that won't spin, and most are easy to fix:

• Cycle settings: low-spin and no-spin options reduce or skip the spin, and Delicate and Hand Wash cycles spin slowly by design. Run a Drain and Spin cycle if your washer has one.
• Unbalanced load: one heavy item, like a rug or comforter, can throw the drum off balance. LG suggests pausing the cycle and spreading items evenly around the tub. Frigidaire's top-load advice is to turn the washer off, wait for the lid to unlock, rearrange the clothes or add a few similar items, and restart.
• Overloading: Whirlpool notes that clothes packed too tightly slow the spin. Take some out.
• Too many suds: excess detergent can stop draining and spinning. Use HE detergent in an HE washer and follow the dosing directions.
• Power interruption: an outage or tripped breaker can stop a cycle before the spin. Run Drain and Spin, then rewash if needed.

Is the water draining?

A washer will not spin with a tub full of water. If you open it to standing water, the real problem is drainage: a clogged pump filter, a kinked hose or a failing drain pump. Work through our guide to a washer not draining first, then come back here if the water clears but the drum still won't spin.

Do these checks safely

Before you reach into the pump filter, pull the washer out or open any panel, unplug the washer and turn off both the hot and cold supply valves. GE Appliances notes that pressing the power button does not disconnect the washer from the electrical supply.

With the power off, you can check a few things yourself:

• Level: LG suggests rocking the washer at diagonal corners and adjusting the legs on any side that shifts. Whirlpool's installation instructions call for a solid floor with tightened leveling-foot locknuts, since loose locknuts can cause vibration.
• Foreign objects: LG recommends checking the drum for coins, zippers or buttons and removing them with pliers or tweezers.
• Lid or door: make sure nothing is caught in the door and the latch closes fully.

Then restore water and power and run a test. LG's approach is a Rinse and Spin cycle, followed by a spin-only cycle at a high spin speed. If the drum spins fine empty or with a small load, the issue was the load.

Front-load vs top-load: what changes

Front-load washers lock the door before they spin. If the control can't confirm the door is locked, it won't spin. Electrolux, for example, shows E41 when its control reads the door as open and E42 when the lock itself isn't recognized; its advice is to make sure the door shuts fully with nothing caught in it and to listen for the latch click.

Top-load HE washers, the ones with a low-profile impeller instead of a tall agitator, lock the lid during spin. Whirlpool explains that the lid lock engages for safety because the tub can spin at very high speeds, and the lid must be closed for the washer to spin. For a lid-lock problem, Whirlpool suggests clearing lint, detergent buildup or other obstructions and unplugging the washer for five minutes to reset it. Frigidaire notes its top-load lid stays locked during spin and may take one to three minutes to release after you stop the washer.

Traditional agitator top-loaders use a lid switch rather than a lock on many models, and drive the basket through a transmission or drive system that can wear out. If the agitator moves but the basket won't spin, that drive system is a common suspect. For more on how the designs differ, see front-load vs top-load washer problems.

Error codes for balance and spin

Many washers flag a spin problem with a code. Frigidaire top-loaders show E4 when the washer is out of balance; Frigidaire's fix is to level the washer, confirm the foam shipping support was removed and redistribute the clothes. LG says that if the control panel shows any code, a problem has been detected, and points owners to its error code list. For brand-specific steps, see our guides for a Whirlpool washer not spinning and a Samsung washer not spinning, or our LG washer repair and Frigidaire washer repair pages.

What a technician tests

LG states plainly that if the unit still won't spin after the basic checks, service is needed for a proper diagnosis. A technician typically checks:

• Lid switch, lid lock or door lock: continuity and whether the lock engages when commanded.
• Drive belt: on belt-driven models, a worn, glazed or broken belt lets the motor run without turning the drum.
• Motor and motor control: whether the motor gets power from the control and whether it turns.
• Transmission or clutch: on agitator top-loaders, worn drive parts can stop the basket from spinning.
• Suspension and shock absorbers: worn parts let the tub swing, which triggers repeated unbalance shutdowns.
• Bearings and control board: rough bearings or a failed board can also cut the spin.

When to stop DIY

Call a pro if you smell burning, hear grinding or loud banging, see a door or lid error that returns after a reset, or get repeated unbalance errors on a level washer with a normal load. Don't keep restarting a washer that strains or hums without turning; that can damage the motor.

What a spin repair costs

Fixr lists typical prices of $85 to $160 for a lid switch, $110 to $200 for a door lock, $120 to $175 for a drive belt, $150 to $300 for shock absorbers, $200 to $350 for a transmission, $250 to $400 for a control board and $300 to $500 for a motor. On an older washer, the high end of that list is where it's worth weighing a new machine; our guide on whether to repair or replace a washer helps you decide. See the full washing machine repair cost guide, or find a local technician in the washing machine repair directory.