The spinning mechanism is a crucial and integral part of a washing machine’s functionality. It is the cornerstone of cleaning clothes by effectively removing dirt and excess water during the rinse and spin cycles. 

So, spinning is a must-do task for washing machines. Unfortunately for some reason, the drum may stop spinning. So, here we are going to talk about the reasons why the washing machine doesn’t spin and what to do to resolve the issue. 

Problem With the Power Source

To kick things off, you must check the power before doing anything else. Inspecting the power source is the common principle for troubleshooting any appliance, including the washing machine.

There is a chance of a power source problem when your washing machine is not working. If your washer is neither spinning nor draining, check if the appliance is powered on and the state of the plug. Make sure you securely connect the washing machine to the outlet. Also, ensure the circuit breaker controlling the washing machine outlet has not tripped. If so, reset any tripped breakers fully. 

A tripped breaker usually remains between the “on” and “off”. Sometimes, you can’t determine whether the breaker is tripped. Regardless, you can reset it by flipping the break to the off position and then switching it back to the “on” position. This may fix the problem if the washing machine is facing a power problem or a tripped breaker. 

If the issue doesn’t get resolved, plug the washing machine directly into the outlet instead of an extension cord. Larger appliances like washing machines and refrigerators require full, stable power supply and voltage. An extension cord can cause the voltage to drop more frequently and doesn’t provide stable power for larger appliances. 

The Door is Not Shut Properly

If the lid or door is not closed as it should, your washing machine won’t spin, as it raises safety concerns. Most washers have a door lock mechanism that automatically locks the door once the machine starts. 

This prevents the door from being opened during the wash cycle. If the door is not completely closed, this lock may not engage, preventing the machine from advancing to the spin cycle.

Look for any apparel preventing the door from shutting all the way. Also, damaged or cracked rubber seals around the door, broken door latches, etc, can prevent the door from staying closed.

Faulty Lid Switch

You’ve just made sure that the door remains closed. But the washing machine is still not spinning. The next thing to check is whether the lid switch is fine. The washing machine has an automatic spin switch to initiate the spin when the door is properly closed. This is a safety feature of the appliance to ensure that the wash cycle or spin only starts after the lid or door is closed.

Sometimes, the lid switch gets slightly deformed or out of position, which you must fix ASAP. However, adjusting the switch to its correct position requires no professional help or complete replacement. You can set it as a skilled and sensible DIYer. Just use a piler to bend the switch back into position. And don’t exert too much force to prevent the switch from breaking off. 

Draining Issues

If your washing machine has a serious issue preventing the water from draining out, the washing machine won’t spin as well. When you observe that the washing machine is neither spinning nor draining, it gives you a hint of a blocked or damaged drain hose. 

Often, the drain hose can become blocked, kinked, or bent – which obstructs wastewater flow from exiting. That’s why check the drain hose for any blockage. The drain hose in a washing machine is typically located at the rear or bottom of the appliance. 

An easy way to find it is to follow the hose at the back of the washer, which generally connects to a pump outlet or bottom drain pipe. When you successfully locate the drain hose, inspect the hose properly for any clog. 

How to Unclog The Drain Hose

If it is blocked, here is the step-by-step process to unclog it. Remember that there are many effective ways to clean the clogged drain hose. 

• First, you need to power off the drain hose. This usually requires plugging off. 
• Locate the drain hose at the back of the washer and disconnect it from the washer and standpipe.
• Check for any kinks or tight bends in the hose and straighten them out.
• Use a plumber’s snake or long flexible auger to feed through the hose or dislodge any built-up debris or lint.
• Now manage an auger or plumber’s snake to break up and remove the clog buildup inside the drain hose. If you don’t have these tools, you can be creative using straightened coat hangers and other similar objects to dislodge the clog. 
• Alternatively, pouring vinegar and baking soda into the drain hose is effective in removing the clog.
• Check the drain hose filter where it connects to the washer – unscrew and clean out collected lint.
• Test the drain hose by running some water into it and ensuring that it comes out just fine.
• Once fully unclogged, reattach the drain hose to its proper place. Make sure the connection is secure and power on the washer.

Some washer displays an error code when the machine faces some difficulties draining the wastewater. For example, you will see a “5C” or “SC” error message in the Samsung washer and an F09 E01 Error Code in the Maytag washing machine, indicating the same drainage issue of the appliance. 

Unbalanced Distribution of the Load

When the washing machine detects an imbalance in the load, it may not spin or spin at a lower rate to reduce the impact of vibration. This imbalance happens when the load is tightly wadded up in one section of the drum.

An obvious sign of this is that your washing machine may slightly move forward during vibration, which is referred to as “walking.” To prevent this, you can follow some practices like spreading the items throughout the drum, mixing the larger and smaller cloths, unfolding the heavy and large items instead of being balled up, etc. 

For top-loaders, don’t let clothes pile higher than the agitator column. Along with that, overloading or overstuffing a washing machine can put the machine in a similar situation. So make sure the load is manageable for the washer, too. 

Your clothes’ weight should be evenly distributed and not too high or low. If the load is not evenly distributed, then instantly redistribute the items for the best outcomes.

Using Too Many Detergents

When the washing machine detects so much suds residue in the drum, it immediately sends an error code for excessive detergent usage. For example, a Samsung washer shows an SUD error code when too much detergent is used. 

Many washers, including Samsung, take some minutes to dissipate the suds residue by pausing and draining out; others may need to spin. Some washers do spins but at lower speeds. 

To resolve this issue, you should use the recommended HE detergent to ensure your washer doesn’t face any trouble from using too much detergent, which produces way less foam than a non-HE detergent. Also, follow the manufacturer’s guidance while using the detergent in the correct amount. 

Inspect the Drive Belt

The drive belt connects the motor to the drum, allowing it to spin. If it breaks or slips off, the drum will fail to turn. The slipped belt can be put back in place, but the damaged belt needs replacement. Common signs of a bad drive belt include the drum not spinning, intermittent spinning, or a burning rubber smell from a slipping belt.

Replacing the drive belt is a straightforward repair if you’re handy in DIY. Make sure to get the exact right belt for your model. Check the pulleys while replacing the belt. As the drive belt runs on the pulleys, any cracks, wear, and rust can impede the proper rotation of the belt. 

Conclusion

Suppose you have tried all the aforementioned processes of troubleshooting and still fail to find the solution. In that case, other factors that are more technical and need professional help might be at play. 

For example, the washer rotor or drive motor is not working or damaged. At this point, you should call a technician to deal with the problem, whatever the cause.