Common washing machine problem
Washing machine not spinning? Here's what to check
A washing machine that will not spin has usually not drained, or the load is unbalanced. If it drains and still will not spin, the usual causes are worn motor brushes, a slipping belt or a pressure switch fault.
- £75 fixed labour fee, plus parts
- Usually repaired the same or next working day
- Parts and labour guaranteed
What you might be seeing
- Clothes come out soaking wet.
- It washes and rinses, does a slow tumble, but never speeds up.
- The drum doesn't turn at all, though you can hear the motor.
- It spins some loads and not others.
Checks that are safe to do at home
If you are happy to have a look yourself, these are the checks that are safe to do. Unplug the machine first. If you would rather not, just give us a call. We're always happy to help.
- Check it has drained. If there is water in the drum, the spin is locked out on purpose: go to our not-draining page first.
- Check the programme is not set to no spin or a low spin speed, and that the drum is not overloaded. Then run a spin-only programme with a medium load. One heavy towel or a single pair of jeans on its own will stop many machines spinning, and so will a load that is too small.
- Unplug the machine and try turning the drum by hand. If it turns unusually lightly and freely, the belt has probably come off. If it is stiff or gritty, the belt may be tangled or a bearing may have seized.
- Make sure the machine is level and the feet are locked, and that the door is shut properly. A machine that rocks vibrates badly on spin, and worn shock absorbers can stop it spinning.
Electrical Safety First has general advice on using a washing machine safely.
Rather we had a look?
That is fine too. Ring us with the make and what the machine is doing, and we will give you the price before anyone comes out. Most of these are done the same or next working day.
Still not working? The likely causes
Most common first, and how we tell them apart on the day.
Not fully drained
The machine will not spin with water in the drum. See the not-draining checks.
Unbalanced, overloaded or too-small load
The machine tries to redistribute the load, gives up and ends the cycle without a fast spin.
Worn carbon brushes
On brushed motors the brushes wear down over the years. A drum that turns freely by hand but never drives often points to them.
Pressure switch or blocked pressure chamber
If it drains and does the slow distributing tumble but never goes into fast spin, we suspect the pressure system.
Belt slipping or off
A drum that turns too easily by hand, or a squeal on spin.
Worn shock absorbers
Heavy vibration on spin, and on some machines a refusal to spin at full speed.
Motor or control board fault
Tested with a meter once the simpler causes are ruled out. The board is diagnosed last.
What the repair costs, and whether it is worth it
Our labour is a fixed £75 for a freestanding machine or £85 for a built-in one, including VAT, whatever the fault. Parts are extra and quoted first. The part prices below are based on Hotpoint parts when we last checked. Other makes can cost more or less.
| Repair | Typical part price | Typical total | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| New carbon brushes | £4 to £44 | £79 to £119 | Usually yes |
| New belt | £6 to £29 | £81 to £104 | Usually yes |
| New pressure switch | £13 to £32 | £88 to £107 | Usually yes |
| New motor depends on the machine's age and price | £81 to £163 | £156 to £248 | Depends |
Brushes, a belt and a pressure switch are inexpensive, quick repairs. A motor can be borderline on an older or cheaper machine, and we will tell you so before you commit.
What repairs usually cost, part by part · Is it worth repairing your washing machine?
Error codes that mean this fault
If your machine shows a code, it is telling you which circuit failed its check. These are the ones that point to this fault.
| Make | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | UB / UE (unbalanced), 3C / 3E (motor) | What it means → |
| LG | UE (unbalanced), LE (motor) | What it means → |
| Hotpoint and Indesit | F02 | What it means → |
| Beko | E07, E11 | What it means → |
| AEG, Zanussi, Electrolux | E50 | What it means → |
Related problems: Not draining · Noisy or banging · all common problems
Questions people ask
My washing machine is not spinning but the motor is running. What's wrong?
If you can hear the motor but the drum is not turning, the belt has probably come off or snapped. If the drum turns slowly but never speeds up, the machine is refusing to spin: either the load is unbalanced or the pressure system or brushes are at fault.
Why does it spin some loads but not others?
Load balance. A single heavy item, or a very small load, cannot be spread evenly round the drum, so the machine keeps trying and then gives up. Mixed loads of medium size spin best.
Can I replace the brushes myself?
Getting at the motor means taking panels off the machine, so we would rather do it for you. It is a short job and the £75 fee covers it.
Still not spinning? Tell us the make and we will tell you the likely cause.
- 1
Ring or book online. A photo of any error code helps.
- 2
We tell you the likely fault and the price before anyone comes out.
- 3
We come the same or next working day, fix it and run a wash with you.
Open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5.30pm