Washing Machine Won’t Spin

turning on washing machine

A washer tub that won’t spin is one of the most common problems that people encounter when their washing machine isn’t working. It is quite an easy problem to deal with and, many times, you can deal with it without having to call an appliance repair service.

There are numerous reasons why it may not be spinning, and it is all a matter of going through the checklist to figure out what the actual cause is.

Here are the most common of reasons why the washing machine won’t spin.

WHY YOUR WASHER WON’T SPIN:

The Lid Switch

The lid switch is what tells the washer to stop, or not start at all if the lid is open. If this switch malfunctions or breaks, the washing machine isn’t going to work at all, let alone spin. You are probably going to have to remove the top of the machine to check this switch. You will leave the machine plugged in and push the switch in. It should click when you do this and if it doesn’t, you are going to have to replace it or call for washer repair.

The Clutch

This is a part that is going to require the expertise of a repair technician to replace. Some machines use a clutch to get the wash tub up to the desired spin speed. If the clutch wears out, the wash tub is not going to be able to spin like it is supposed to.

The Motor Coupler

This coupler is a part that some companies us to connect the motor to the transmission of the machine and it is possible that it can wear out. It is made of rubber and plastic and it is possible for it to get worn out. This is an easy job as it can be assessed visually. You will be able to see that it is worn out and it is easily replaced without a repair technician.

The Drive Motor

A drive motor is a type of motor that moves in one direction for spinning and the other for agitating. It is not completely unheard of for the motor to be malfunctioning in one direction and not the other. You may hear a sputtering noise or even be able to see sparks coming from the bottom of the washing machine. The unfortunate part of this issue is that when this happens, you will need to replace the entire motor.

The Pump

There are a couple of things that can go wrong with this part of the machine. It is possible that the pulley or the belt may break or wear out. You will need to remove the access panel and remove the entire pump in order to see if this is the problem. Don’t forget to unplug the machine before doing this. You can test the pulley by trying to turn it by hand and if it is the pump belt, you will see that it is worn or broken. Whatever the issue is, it will require the entire pump to be replaced.

The Drive Belt

This is a problem that is easy to troubleshoot. You will try and turn the wash tub by hand and if it turns quite easily, there is a problem with the drive belt. The tub should turn by hand but if the drive belt is intact there is going to be a certain amount of resistance. The belt is what gives this resistance and if it is broken, there won’t be any resistance. This is another part that can be replaced by removing the access panel. Always remember to unplug the machine before replacing parts.