How to Fix a Washer Not Spinning

If your washer is not spinning, it’s probably the result of one or more defective components within the washer.

In this article, we explain how to check all of the likely causes and how you can fix them.

Let’s get started.

Check the Lid Switch

The best place to start is to check the lid switch. When your washing machine lid is open, the lid switch will stop the washer from working during a cycle. Sometimes it can become defective and turn your washer off mistakenly.

To check the lid switch, you need to:

1. Turn the power off to the washer.
2. Find the lid switch (check your manual if necessary).
3. Remove the lid switch and check it for continuity with a multimeter.
4. If the test shows that the lid switch has no continuity, you will need to replace it. If the test shows the lid switch does have continuity, then it is working fine, and you can reattach it to your washer and move on to the next step.
5. Once replaced, check if the problem has been solved; if not, move on to the next step.

Check the Drive Belt

The second component to check if your washer is not spinning is the drive belt. The purpose of the drive belt is to help the washer to spin during a cycle, so when the drive belt is broken, your washer will stop spinning.

To check the drive belt, you need to:

1. Turn the power off to the washer if you haven’t already.
2. Remove the side panels to the washer, and locate the drive belt (check the manual if necessary).
3. Once located, check the drive belt to see if it is broken or loose.
4. If it is damaged in any way or worn out, it needs to be replaced. However, if it is fine, you can move on to the next step.
5. Once replaced, check to see if the problem is solved, and if not, move on to the next step.

Check the Drive Pulley

The next component to check is the drive pulley. The drive pulley is connected to the drive belt and helps it to rotate properly. When it becomes faulty, your washer will stop spinning.

Here’s how to check the drive pulley:

1. Make sure the power is still turned off.
2. Locate the drive pulley—it is connected to the drive belt unit.
3. Check the pulley for any signs of damage, and move the drive belt around manually to see if the drive pulley is working correctly.
4. If it is damaged, broken, or faulty, it will need to be replaced.
5. Once replaced, check if the washer is working again. If not or if the drive pulley is not defective, move on to the next step.

Check the Motor Coupling

The next step is to check the motor coupling. The motor coupling connects your washing machine’s motor to the transmission. When your washer gets overloaded, the coupling helps to protect the transmission and motor.

To check the motor coupling, you need to:

1. Ensure the power is still turned off.
2. Find the motor coupling (consult your manual if required), and then check to see if the coupling is broken or cracked.
3. If so, it will need to be replaced. If the coupling is fine, move on to the next step.
4. Once replaced, check to see if the problem has been solved; if not, move on to the next step.

Check the Door Latch

The next step is to check the door latch. The purpose of the latch is to make sure your washer door stays closed when it is operating. If it becomes defective, your washer might stop working.

To check the door latch, you first need to check your manual to see if your washer has a mechanical latch or an electronic one. Once you know that, you can:

1. Ensure the power is still turned off to your washer.
2. If you have a mechanical latch, you can check if it’s working correctly by trying to shut the door and seeing if it closes properly. If not, it will need to be replaced.
3. If you have an electronic latch, you can check it by using a multimeter to test it for continuity. If it doesn’t have continuity, it will need to be replaced. You will probably have to remove the latch first before testing it.
4. If your door latch is working correctly, move on to the next step. If you replace the latch, check if the washer now spins correctly, and if not, move on to the next step.

Check the Clutch

The next step is to check the clutch. The clutch connects the transmission and the tub, and its main purpose is to help the tub get up to the correct spin speed during a cycle. If it becomes worn out or faulty, your washer won’t spin.

Here’s how to check the clutch:

1. Turn the power back on, and then put your washer on to a cycle.
2. Once the washer is on a cycle, check if the tub is rotating. If it isn’t rotating at all, then the clutch will need to be replaced.
3. If the clutch is rotating, then check if the spin speed goes up and down intermittently. If the drum doesn’t spin at a consistent speed, this means it will need to be replaced. If it is working fine, you can move on to the next step.
4. If you replace the clutch, turn your washer on and check if the problem is solved; if not move on to the next step.

Check the Rotor

The next step is to check the rotor to see if it is defective. The rotor works with the stator to help the tub rotate, so when it becomes faulty, your washer won’t spin.

To check the rotor:

1. Turn the power off to the washer.
2. Find the rotor (consult your manual if necessary).
3. Inspect the magnets for any signs of damage, and then check the rest of the rotor unit for damage.
4. If it or the magnets are damaged, you’ll need to replace the rotor. If it is not damaged, move on to the next step.
5. Once replaced, check to see if the problem is solved, and if not, move on to the next step.

Check the Stator Assembly

The next step is to check the stator assembly. The stator works with the rotor to help the tub to spin. If it becomes faulty, your washer won’t spin.

To check the stator assembly:

1. Make sure the power is still switched off.
2. Find the stator (consult your manual if necessary).
3. Inspect the windings on the stator for signs of damage or general wear and tear.
4. If they are damaged, you need to replace the stator. If the stator is fine, move on to the next step.
5. Once replaced, check to see if the problem is solved, and if not, move on to the next step.

Check the Drive Motor

The next step is to check the drive motor. The purpose of the drive motor is to help the washer spin; if it becomes defective, your washer will stop working.

To check the drive motor, you need to:

1. Ensure the power is still turned off to the washer.
2. Find the drive motor (consult your manual if necessary).
3. Test the power source to the drive motor with a multimeter.
4. If the power source is fine, turn the power to the washer back on, and turn the washer on to a cycle. When it is operating, check to see if the motor is making a humming sound or is overly noisy.
5. If you can hear a humming sound or if it is overly noisy, the drive motor will need to be replaced. If you can’t hear any noises, the drive motor is probably fine, so you can move on to the next step.
6. Once replaced, check to see if the washer now works, and if not, move on to the next step.

Check the Motor Control Board

The final step is to check the motor control board. The purpose of the motor control board is to provide power to the motor, so if it becomes faulty, your washer cannot spin.

To check the motor control board, you need to:

1. Ensure the power is still switched off.
2. Find the motor control board (check your manual if unsure where it is).
3. Check the board to see if any of the components are burnt out.
4. If the board has burnt-out components, it will need to be replaced.
5. If you replace it, check to see if the washer now spins correctly. If not, you’ll have to call a technician or buy a new washer.