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Washer won't spin: what to check and how to fix it

When a washer won't spin, it's often protecting itself from an uneven load, an open lid or water that can't drain. Here's how to find the cause.

Updated · 6 min read

The cycle ends, you open the washer, and the clothes are dripping wet. Or the drum just sits there full of water. It's a hassle, but a washer that won't spin is often doing what it was built to do: protecting itself.

Washers won't spin if the load is badly off-balance, if the lid or door isn't latched, or if the water can't drain. Most of those problems you can fix in 15 to 45 minutes without tools.

What you'll need

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Rebalance the load

This is the most common cause. A heavy comforter, a few towels or a single pair of jeans can bunch up on one side of the drum. When the washer senses the imbalance, Whirlpool says it may stop spinning to avoid damage.

  1. Pause or cancel the cycle. Wait until the lid or door releases.
  2. Spread the clothes out. Untangle sheets and move heavy items so the weight is even around the drum.
  3. Take some out if it's packed. An overloaded washer can't spin properly.
  4. Add a few items to a tiny load. One heavy item alone, like a bath mat, is hard to balance. A couple of towels help.
  5. Run a drain and spin cycle.

Check the lid or door

Your washer won't spin unless the lid or door is fully closed and latched. That's a safety feature, since a spinning drum can hurt someone.

  1. Close it firmly. Make sure no clothing is caught in the door seal of a front loader.
  2. Look at the latch. Check for a broken hook, lint buildup or a bent tab on a top loader's lid.
  3. Watch for a lock light. Many washers show a light or message when the lid or door is locked. If the light never comes on even when it's shut, the lock or switch may have failed. That's a part a technician can test.

Check the settings and detergent

Some "no spin" problems are really slow spins. Whirlpool notes that delicate, gentle and hand-wash cycles spin slowly and leave more water in clothes. Try a normal or heavy-duty cycle if the care label allows.

Too much soap matters too. Whirlpool says excess suds can keep the washer from pumping out water and spinning. If you see a lot of foam, run a rinse cycle with no detergent. Next time, measure carefully and use HE detergent if your washer requires it.

Clean the drain pump filter (front loaders)

Many front-load washers have a small filter behind a panel at the bottom front. It catches lint, coins, hair ties and small socks before they reach the pump. When it clogs, water can't drain, and the washer won't spin. Not every model has one you can reach, so check your owner's manual first.

  1. Unplug the washer.
  2. Prepare for water. Lay towels down and set a shallow pan under the filter door. There may be more water than you expect, so have a bucket ready to empty the pan.
  3. Drain through the small hose. Many models have a short drain tube next to the filter. Pull it out, remove its plug and let the water run into the pan. Replug it when it's done.
  4. Remove the filter. On Whirlpool front loaders, you turn the filter counterclockwise to take it out. Go slowly, since more water will come out.
  5. Clean it. Pull off lint and debris by hand and rinse the filter. Shine a flashlight into the opening and remove anything stuck inside.
  6. Put it back. Turn it clockwise until it's snug, and put the drain tube back in its clip.
  7. Test it. Plug the washer in and run a drain and spin cycle. Check for drips around the filter.

Top-load washers usually don't have a filter you can reach. If yours won't drain, check the hose next.

Check the drain hose

The drain hose runs from the back of the washer into a standpipe, a laundry sink or a floor drain.

  1. Unplug the washer and pull it out a few inches. Get help if it's heavy.
  2. Look for kinks. A hose crushed against the wall can stop draining. Straighten it.
  3. Check for clogs. Take the hose out of the standpipe or sink over a bucket and look for lint or socks blocking it.
  4. Check the height. Whirlpool's guidance for its washers is a standpipe between 30 and 96 inches high. If the hose end is too high or pushed too far down the pipe, drainage can suffer. Your installation instructions have the right numbers for your model.

If the standpipe itself is backing up, the clog is in your home's drain line. See how to unclog a drain without chemicals, or call a plumber.

When to call a pro

Call for repair if:

  • The load is balanced, the lid or door latches, the filter and hose are clear, and it still won't spin.
  • You hear humming but the drum doesn't move, or you hear grinding or loud banging.
  • The lid or door won't lock, or stays locked after the cycle ends.
  • The washer shows an error code that your manual says needs service.
  • You smell burning, or the breaker or a GFCI outlet keeps tripping.
  • You rent. Ask your landlord before taking anything apart.

A technician may check the drain pump, the lid switch or door lock, the drive belt or the motor. Read how to choose an appliance repair technician, and have your model number ready. Our guide on finding your appliance model number shows where to look.

Keep it from happening again

  • Empty pockets before washing. Coins and hair ties are common filter cloggers.
  • Wash small items in a mesh laundry bag.
  • Load items loosely and evenly, and don't overfill.
  • Measure detergent and use the type your washer calls for.
  • Clean a front loader's pump filter every few months.

Common questions

Why did my washer stop in the middle of the spin cycle?

Most often the load got bunched on one side. Washers slow or stop the spin to avoid damage when a load is off-balance. Spread the items out evenly and run a drain and spin cycle.

Can too much detergent stop a washer from spinning?

Yes. Whirlpool says excess suds can keep the washer from pumping out water and spinning. Measure detergent and use the type your washer calls for, such as HE detergent.

How often should I clean a front-load washer's pump filter?

Whirlpool suggests every few months or as needed, depending on how much you wash and how much lint builds up. Not every model has a filter you can reach, so check your owner's manual.

How high should the washer drain standpipe be?

Whirlpool's guidance for its washers is a standpipe at least 30 inches and no more than 96 inches high. Check your own installation instructions, since requirements vary by model.

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