There are two completely different symptoms that many people confusingly report using the same language. So it’s important to make sure you are looking at the right article. If when you say the washing machine is not spinning you mean (as many do) that the drum is not revolving on any part of the cycle then you need a different article – washing machine drum not turning. If you are investigating a fault where the drum is turning normally on wash and rinses but it’s just not doing the fast spinning at the end then continue with this article.
Not Spinning Because it can’t Drain the Water Properly
The first thing to check is has it pumped out the water properly?
A washing machine will not spin if it hasn't pumped out the water, either at all, or just not fully within the set time allowed due to a partial obstruction. However, don't start suspecting a pump problem unless it's obvious that the washing machine hasn't drained the water out, and has left quite a lot inside. Don’t mix up the amount of water that will naturally be left inside from laundry if the washer hasn’t spun with the amount left if it’s failed to pump it away.
Try it on a spin cycle again. Can you hear the pump running? Can you hear water going down the drain or into the sink u-bend? If you suspect a pumping out fault follow this article – Washing machine won't empty water
Load Out Of Balance
If the water seems to have been pumped out but it just won’t do the spin then check the wash load. Modern washing machines have built in out of balance protection and will refuse to spin out of balanced loads to protect against serious damage.
The worst loads for this problem are single items which are heavy when wet, or small loads, particularly if they have a single heavy item amongst them.
Therefore there is always a possibility there isn’t an actual fault. A quick check would be to see if the washer spins with no load in, or with a totally different (fuller more balanced) load. If it does, check this article carefully to understand this problem – Washing machine wont spin just one item or very small loads
Not spinning due to pressure system fault
Maybe it just thinks it isn’t draining water because it’s not getting the “water has now gone” signal.
The washing machine needs a signal from the pressure switch to tell it when the water has gone. A faulty pressure switch (or more commonly a blockage in the pressure bottle) can stop the signal being sent. So the washer refuses to spin. It will do the slow turning at the beginning where it distributes the laundry, pump out the water, but then after a few minutes just stop.
To understand how a washing machine controls water levels and knows when the water has drained away see this article – How washing machines control water levels (there are links in the article to common pressure system faults and DIY repair help).
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Not spinning because motor is faulty
It is possible for a worn motor (or more commonly worn carbon brushes) to cause it to struggle to get up to spin speed but manage to turn the drum on wash and rinse. Normally such a fault would also cause problems on wash and rinse so it’s not too likely. However, if when it gets to the spin cycle the motor appears to attempt a spin but makes a strange grating or crackling noise and sounds half-hearted (maybe fluctuates up and down in speed) there could be a fault on the motor.
If the motor is sparking a lot you can suspect worn carbon brushes. Note that many washing machines don’t have carbon brushes any more. How can you tell? Open the door and spin the drum by hand. If it is virtually silent it’s probably a brushless motor. If it makes a whiny ratchety sound that’s probably the brushes running over the segments in the armature.
If it is not sparking excessively it could be an issue on the PCB or a connection fault – get an engineer in. The most common issue with motors is worn carbon brushes (How do I know if I need to fit new carbon brushes?).
Belt Slipping
If a drive belt is worn it could be slipping. It’s not so common these days but should be easily observed with the back panel off if this is what is happening.
Summary
If the water is being pumped out OK, and it doesn't appear to be an out of balanced load, then proper fault finding is necessary. This really needs the use of a continuity test meter and proper knowledge of washing machine repairs.
If it isn’t caused by any of the faults described above it only really leaves faults on the main PCB (or module), connection faults, more complex motor faults etc. It would be unwise to start buying parts speculatively, which could easily prove an expensive mistake.
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ruben gomez says
Hi i have a hotpoint with a g.e motor the motor that i had was flashing non stop so i ordered a used motor cause my washer machine was not spinning the cycle and the timer work fine it fills up with water it drains fine just does not spin at all i havent put the belt on it i jus tested it without putting it on motor i dont know if i have to have the belt on for order it to spin so if u could help me out thanks
Korous says
Hello
We have a Bosch excel Wvd245s3gb,washing machine which has worked very good for over the seven years, we usually use the easy care or mix load programe 40 degree 50 minutes
Recently it wash for 49 minute. The timer count down to 1 minute then countinuly wash the timer still remaining for 1 minute it won’t stop and goes on Rinse, Spain ect to 0.00 so I should pause then change the programe to the rinse to complete the washing, I tried different program but it’s a same problem,
Also I check the filter, pump, pipe but there is not any blockage or ect . Do you have any idea what is the problem.
Thanks
Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp) says
Hello Korous. Sorry I didn’t reply before, you’ve probably found the answer by now but you may be to confirm so that others can learn from your experience. It could be the heating element but not necessarily. I mention sticking on the last minute on my article here Washing machine stops mid cycle
Ruben, it could be possible that a motor would not spin fully without a load as I’ve seen systems in place to monitor loading which can stop it spinning because it would spin too fast without any load.
Bazz says
Thought I knew it all . . Didn’t know about the out of balance protection ! Had my machine in bits . .Won’t be throwing my eider down in again . Thanks Great Site
John cooper says
I have a John Lewis washing machine that’s just stopped spinning. The drum turns ok during the wash cycle but when it comes to spin the motor appears to be turning as you can hear it but the drum doesn’t move. It appears to be draining OK. I have tried the spin only at both max and min speeds and again the motor appears to be working but drum movement at all.
Any ideas please thanks
John
Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp) says
Cheers Bazz.
Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp) says
Hello John, if the motor is turning but the drum isn’t the belt must be off or slipping.
Trevor Roberts says
Thanks so much for this article – my Hoover wasn’t fast spinning. I checked the filter at the bottom which was blocked by plastic sticker or something – anyway clearing that out fixed it instantly – cheers
Donna says
Thank you so much!
I cleaned the filter out as instructed and saved myself a hundred but for a service guy
Yale the Internet and you guys!!!
Steph says
Thank you so much, problem sorted in less than 5 minutes! Machine wasn’t getting up to full spin, could hear water pump doing its thing… decided to check the u-bend before it goes into the house waste pipe for blockages first (as I hate cleaning the lower filter, plus the machine usually tells me when this is required), small bit of debris slightly blocking the outlet… removed this and the scummy build up in the u-bend, replaced, switched on machine to do a spin and warp speed factor 1200 we have lift off! Cheers Andy you’re a Saint to make this knowledge available!