8 possible reasons why your washing machine is not spinning
A washer that won’t spin can disrupt laundry day and leave clothes soaked and heavy. Read on to explore potential signs of a washer that’s not spinning, discover possible causes behind the issue, and learn tips for troubleshooting and prevention.
How to tell if your washer is not spinning properly
Loud noises and vibrations, soaked clothes at the end of a cycle or standing water in the washer may possibly signal a washer that isn’t spinning like it should. Learn more about each of these warning signs below.
Excessive noise or vibration: An unlevel washer or imbalanced load can impact spin speeds and cause loud noises and noticeable vibrations during the spin cycle.
Standing water in the washer: A clogged, kinked or improperly installed drain hose can keep your washer from draining fully, which may affect the spin cycle and leave standing water at the end.
- Soaked clothes after the cycle ends: If your washer spins too slowly for the type of load, or not at all, your clothes may come out wetter than expected.
Why is my washer not spinning?
When your washer isn’t spinning, the cause may range from simple settings issues or an overstuffed load to an unlevel washer, a kinked drain hose or power interruptions. Many problems are simple to address with a little troubleshooting. Discover possible reasons for a washer that won’t spin below.
1. Misset cycle settings
Low- or no-spin cycle settings reduce or eliminate spinning, leaving more water in your clothes and the drum. If you’ve selected the wrong washer settings by mistake, use a Drain and Spin Cycle (if available) to remove excess water. Delicate or Hand Wash Cycles also spin slowly by design to help protect fragile fabrics, so some moisture is normal, but these cycles can leave too much water in clothing if they’re not well suited to the load inside.
2. Too much detergent
Using too much detergent—or the wrong type—can create excess suds that prevent the washer from draining and possibly spinning properly. Always follow the detergent’s instructions and make sure you’re using HE detergent with an HE washer.
Some detergent brands even offer easy-to-measure options for added convenience. For instance, Swash® Laundry Detergent1 makes measuring the right amount easier with the Auto-Stop Top that will stop automatically when you have the right amount, so there’s no guess and no mess.
3. Imbalanced load
A single bulky item washing alone can throw the washer drum off balance during the spin cycle, affecting performance. In this case, add more items to balance the load to help the drum spin smoothly.
4. Overloaded washer
An overloaded washer can slow the spin speed and extend cycle times, leaving clothes wetter than they should be. Avoid packing the load too tightly to help your washer perform at its best and get clothes properly cleaned.
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5. Unlevel washer
A washer that isn’t level can become unbalanced, leading to excessive vibration, noise or problems with spinning. Use this guide to learn how to properly level your washer and help keep each cycle running smoothly.
6. Power failure
A power outage or tripped circuit can interrupt your washer before it reaches full spin speed, leaving water in the drum. If this happens, run a Drain and Spin Cycle to clear the water, then rewash the load if needed.
7. Drain hose kinked or clogged
Standing water in the tub could mean the drain hose is kinked, clogged or improperly installed, letting water flow back into the washer instead of out and interrupting the spin cycle. Use this guide to learn how to connect the drain hose correctly so that your washer drains as it should.
8. Open door or lid
If the door or lid latch isn’t securely closed, your washer won’t run, and sometimes, a faulty latch isn’t easy to spot. Take a moment to check that it’s working properly to help avoid interruptions to the spin cycle.
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Tips for keeping your washing machine spinning
Knowing a few simple washer tips can mean the difference between fresh, clean laundry and a wash cycle that won’t finish. Learn how to help keep your washer spinning smoothly, from loading it the right way to performing simple maintenance checks.
Load clothes properly: An unbalanced or overloaded washer may have trouble spinning or draining. To help laundry day run smoothly, avoid washing a single bulky item on its own, and don’t pack clothes too tightly.
Check the drain pump for clogs: For front load washers, check the filter for debris, and make sure the drain pipe isn’t kinked. With top load washers, the drain hoses are usually harder to reach. If that’s the case, it may be best to call a professional to access and inspect them.
Keep your washer level: Double-check that your washer is level. If it’s off balance, it can affect how the load spins and may prevent the washer from working properly.
- Reset the washer: Sometimes a simple reset is all it takes to get your washer back on track. For example, a top load washer might stop mid-cycle if it detects an unbalanced load. Follow this guide to learn how to reset your washer, and check your owner’s manual for model-specific instructions.
Explore Whirlpool® Washing Machines
Create a laundry routine that works for your family with a washer from Whirlpool brand. The industry-first 2 in 1 Removable Agitator on select Whirlpool® Top Load Washers lets you customize any load to care for your clothes the way you want by easily swapping the agitator post in or out. With two ways to wash, it’s twice the washer you have at home. Or, skip steps with the Load & Go™ XL Dispenser on select Whirlpool® Washers. Simply add detergent once and skip refills for 40 loads.
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1. Swash and the recommending brands are owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.
2. Based on rewashing an 8 lb load on Normal cycle.
