Washing Machine Not Spinning

Unbalanced Load

The most common cause. If laundry is bunched on one side of the drum the machine detects excessive vibration and reduces or cancels the spin to protect itself. Particularly common with small loads or single heavy items like duvets or towels.

Drainage Fault

A washing machine will not spin if it cannot drain first. If the pump filter is blocked or the drain hose is kinked, the machine may stop before reaching the spin cycle. Always check the filter if there is water still in the drum.

Overloaded Drum

An overloaded drum prevents laundry from moving freely. The machine may struggle to reach spin speed or stop the spin entirely. The drum should be no more than three quarters full.

Door Not Fully Closed

The machine will not spin if the door is not securely latched. A faulty door lock or interlock can also cause the spin to be cancelled even if the door appears closed.

Worn Carbon Brushes

On older machines with brush motors, worn carbon brushes are a common cause of spin failure. The motor loses power as the brushes wear and eventually cannot generate enough force to spin the drum.

Faulty Motor or Control Board

A fault with the motor or main control board can prevent the drum from spinning. These faults usually trigger an error code on the display and require professional diagnosis.

Redistribute the Load

Open the door and rearrange the laundry so it is spread evenly around the drum. Select a spin-only programme and try again. If the machine completes the spin, an unbalanced load was the cause.

Reduce the Load Size

If the drum is overloaded, remove some items and try again. The drum should be no more than three quarters full to allow laundry to move freely during the spin.

Clean the Pump Filter

The pump filter is behind a small panel at the bottom front of the machine. Place towels beneath it before opening. Twist anticlockwise to remove, clear any debris, rinse, and refit securely by twisting clockwise.

Check the Door

Ensure the door is firmly closed and the seal is not obstructed by clothing. Try opening and closing the door again before restarting the cycle.

Reset the Machine

Switch off at the mains and leave unplugged for a few minutes. Plug back in and try running a spin-only programme. This can clear minor electronic faults preventing the spin from completing.