How to Fix a Washing Machine That Won’t Spin

If you've opened your washing machine only to find sopping wet clothes, it may be because your washing machine hasn't completed the spin cycle. While this is frustrating, sometimes you can fix it with simple troubleshooting. Other times you might need to replace a part or call a technician. Our local Sydney appliance experts have put together a quick guide to help you through some basic troubleshooting so you know what to do next.

Check if the door is properly closed

Check that the door or lid of your washing machine is closed correctly. Open and close it again to be sure it has clicked in place. If your washing machine can't detect that the door is shut, it won't start.

You can rectify this by properly closing the door or lid; this isn't a sign that your washing machine needs replacements or repairs.

Check the load. Is it balanced?

Your first indication that the load isn't balanced may be a loud banging sound as it tries to go through the spin cycle. An unbalanced load is when the contents of the washing machine's weight aren't evenly distributed, resulting in a banging or vibrating noise, and in some cases, the machine won't begin the spin cycle as a safety precaution. This happens more frequently with large loads like blankets or heavy towels.

To fix this, you can rearrange the items inside your machine to distribute them more evenly and try the spin cycle again. 

Ensure that the washing machine is on an even surface

Similar to an unbalanced load of washing, if your washing machine isn't sitting on a level surface, the result will be the same. If it's a small load or you're sure the contents are balanced, the next thing to check is whether your machine is level.

You can ensure your washing machine is level by adjusting the legs on the bottom to counteract an uneven floor.

Check if the washing machine is full

If you overfill your washing machine, it may reach the spin cycle and be unable to finish the process. Most machines can't detect that you have added too much weight to the load. This will only become apparent when it stops at the spin cycle or completes it poorly, resulting in soggy wet clothes.

The only way to remedy this is to remove some of the wet clothes and rerun the spin cycle.

Verify if there is an issue with the power

Check if your washing machine has stopped mid-cycle due to a loose power cord. For example, you might find that the power cord has jiggled out during a bouncy spin cycle.

Another power-related issue that might cause your machine to stop mid-cycle is a power outage; this will be evident by the power in the rest of your home going out too. A power surge that activates a safety switch to discontinue power could also be the culprit.

Check that your power plug is connected and that it's safe to turn it back on, and rerun the spin cycle.

Still haven't identified the problem?

Once you have gone through the above steps, you may need further troubleshooting to identify if your appliance needs maintenance or repairs. Click on the article, Common Problems in Washing Machines for more tips or get in touch with our local technician in Sydney. We'd be happy to assist your concerns via email or by phone.

Best replacement parts for your washing machine

At Wayne's Wholesale Spares, we stock a massive range of branded and generic replacement washing machine parts to assist you in repairing common problems. Contact us now for friendly, expert advice on all your replacement parts needs or for a recommendation for a trusted local technician to help you.