Solve It Fast: My Washing Machine Will Not Spin - Quick DIY Guide

It’s a frustrating laundry day scenario – you open the washing machine door expecting clean, spun clothes, only to find a sopping wet mess. Before you assume the worst, take a breath. More often than not, the culprit is something simple you can fix yourself.

When a washing machine will not spin, the most common issues are an unbalanced load or a clogged drain filter. Modern machines have safety sensors that will stop a high-speed spin if something’s not right. Thankfully, you can usually fix these problems in minutes.

First Steps for a Non-Spinning Washing Machine

Before diving into complex diagnostics, run through these quick checks that solve the problem nine times out of ten.

Take a look at these three simple things first:

• Load Balance: Have all the heavy items, like towels or jeans, bunched up on one side of the drum? This is a classic reason for a spin cycle to fail. Just open the door and redistribute the clothes more evenly.
• Door Latch: Is the door or lid clicked firmly shut? For the spin to start, the machine needs to know the door is securely locked. Give it a firm push to make sure the lock has engaged.
• Cycle Settings: It sounds obvious, but it's easy to accidentally knock the dial. Double-check you haven’t selected a ‘no spin,’ ‘rinse hold,’ or a very delicate cycle by mistake.

Fixing these small household issues can be quite satisfying. If you enjoy getting hands-on, you might also find it useful to learn how to troubleshoot other appliance issues like electric stove burners.

Common Spin Cycle Issues and Their Solutions

Here's a quick-reference table summarising the most frequent causes and what you should do about them.

If you've tried all of these and your clothes are still coming out drenched, it might be time to look at some of the components inside the machine.

How to Inspect Your Drain Filter and Pump

If your washing machine won't spin and there's still water in the drum, a blocked drain filter is almost always the culprit. As a safety feature, most machines simply won't start the spin cycle until they've drained properly. Little things like coins, lint, and hair clips inevitably get trapped in the filter.

You’ll find the filter behind a small flap, usually at the bottom front of your machine. Before opening it, grab a shallow tray and some old towels to catch the water that will spill out.

Pro Tip: Don't just yank the filter cap off. Unscrew it slowly to control the flow of trapped water. Once it has drained, pull the filter out completely and clear away any gunk you find.

For a more detailed walkthrough, you can learn more about how to clean a washing machine filter in our dedicated guide.

Checking the Drive Belt and Motor Brushes

If the quick fixes haven't worked, the issue could be mechanical. When your washing machine will not spin, one of the most common culprits is a snapped or slipped drive belt. It connects the motor to the drum. If you can hear the motor whirring but the drum isn't moving, the belt is the first place to look.

You can usually inspect this yourself by unplugging the machine and taking off the back panel. A healthy belt should be snug around the drum and motor pulleys. If it's loose, cracked, or has come off, you've found your problem.

In older machines, worn-out motor brushes are another frequent offender. These small carbon blocks get power to the motor. Over thousands of cycles, they wear down. Tell-tale signs include a machine that fills and drains but makes no effort to spin.

Is It Better to Repair or Replace Your Machine?

When your washing machine refuses to spin, it's easy to assume the worst. But more often than not, a simple fix is the most sensible choice. Your decision should come down to the age of your machine and the cost of the repair.

The UK's household appliance repair market is substantial, expected to be worth around £448.9 million by 2025. With nearly 1,300 businesses ready to help, finding a skilled local engineer is usually straightforward.

We get it, weighing up the costs is a big part of the puzzle. For a bit more perspective on making these kinds of calls for essential home items, it can be useful to see how to decide between repair and replacement in a broader context.

To get a much clearer idea of what you might be looking at, have a look at our detailed guide on how much washing machine repair costs.

When You Need a Professional Go Assist Engineer

While sorting out a wobbly machine or a clogged filter is one thing, tackling complex electrical components is another. If you’ve run through all the basic checks and your washing machine still refuses to spin, it's a strong sign the problem lies deeper. Issues with the motor control board or internal wiring are best left to a professional.

Attempting these kinds of advanced repairs without the right training isn’t just risky for your appliance—it can be dangerous. For a better idea of when it's time to make the call, see our guide on the signs your washing machine needs a professional repair.

Getting a professional fix is often more accessible and affordable than you might think. A common spin-related repair will usually cost just a fraction of a brand-new machine.

Choosing a trusted service like Go Assist takes the guesswork out of the equation. We offer fixed-price quotes and our work is guaranteed, so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

Got a Question? We’ve Got the Answer

Here are some quick answers to the most common queries we get.

My Washing Machine Fills and Drains, but Won’t Spin. What’s Going On?

This classic symptom points to the parts that turn the drum. More often than not, the culprit is a snapped or slipped drive belt. On older machines, it could also be down to worn-out motor carbon brushes. While you can check the belt yourself, getting to the motor brushes is often best left to an engineer.

Can an Unbalanced Load Really Cause Permanent Damage?

Yes. Repeatedly running the machine with a lopsided load puts massive stress on its internal parts. Those violent vibrations are a killer for the drum bearings and the suspension system, leading to a much heftier repair bill down the line. A good rule is to always mix big, heavy items with smaller ones.

What Does That Clicking Noise Just Before the Spin Cycle Mean?

A single, solid click is usually just the door lock engaging. However, if you hear a series of clicks over and over again with no spin, that's your machine telling you something is wrong. This often points to a faulty door lock mechanism that isn't sending the "all clear" signal to start the spin. If the clicking won't stop, it's a clear sign you need to investigate that component.

If you've worked through these checks and your washing machine still won't spin, it’s time to call in the professionals. For a fast, reliable repair with a full guarantee, book an engineer with Go Assist today. Head over to our Go Assist booking page to get your fixed-price quote and schedule a visit.