Why Your Washer Won't Spin

Why Your Washer Won't Spin

When a washer reaches the spin portion of the cycle and stops short, the machine is usually protecting itself from another failure condition. A unit that will not drain completely, cannot verify the lid or door is locked, or senses an out-of-balance condition may refuse to spin at full speed.

The most common causes include drain restrictions, failing drain pumps, worn suspension parts, bad lid switches or door locks, and drive system issues. Front-load and top-load washers fail differently, so the exact cause depends on the platform and the symptoms that come with it.

If the washer is leaving standing water in the tub, making abnormal noise, or struggling to reach speed, it is usually better to diagnose the root failure before using the machine again. Continued use can turn a smaller issue into a larger repair.