Washing machine not spinning: causes and solutions
Opening the door of your washing machine to a heavy pile of dripping wet laundry is nobody’s idea of fun. The machine washes but no longer spins. Fortunately the cause is sometimes something you can fix yourself in a few minutes.
Check first, then book
Why is my washing machine not spinning?
A washing machine that does not spin usually has one of two problems: the water cannot get out, or the motor cannot get the drum up to speed. The first is often easy to fix.
Below you can read what you can check yourself, what the error code means and when you are better off booking a technician.
How it works, in 3 steps
Prices
How much does washing machine repair cost?
Whether your washing machine won't drain, leaks or shows an error code: you pay the same fixed price, whatever the brand.
A technician finds out at your home why your washing machine isn't working properly. If you don't go ahead with the repair, you only pay for the diagnosis.
If the technician can repair your washing machine, you pay €110. No time limit: even if it takes long or a second visit is needed.
Spare parts are not included. The technician tells you in advance if a part is needed and what it costs.
Chrono surcharge for a visit in the evening, at the weekend or just a few hours after your request.
Second appliance during the same visit? The technician can check and repair it too for €80.
Maintenance as well? The technician can also clean and check your appliance thoroughly, for €50 per appliance on top of the diagnosis and repair.
Prefer remote help first? A video repair costs €49. See all our prices →
What can you check yourself first?
These two checks take a few minutes in total.
A blocked lint filter
If the water cannot drain, the machine blocks the spin cycle for safety. Open the flap at the bottom, put a towel ready, slowly unscrew the filter and let the water run out. Clean the filter, take out coins, hairpins and lint, and put it back. Test whether the machine now spins.
An unbalanced drum
Modern washing machines have an imbalance sensor. If you wash one heavy bath mat or a large duvet, the drum goes out of balance and the machine refuses to run at high speed to prevent damage. Take some laundry out or add a few towels to spread the weight, and start the spin again.
Too much detergent
Too much detergent makes a mountain of foam. A pressure sensor can mistake that foam for water, so the machine thinks it is still full and does not spin. Stick to the dose on the packaging.
When do you need a technician?
Is the filter clean, is the load balanced and does the drum still refuse? Then a part probably needs replacing. These are the four usual causes.
Worn motor brushes
A classic on older washing machines. The brushes pass current to the motor. If they are worn, the motor no longer has the strength to get the heavy drum moving.
A broken or stretched drive belt
Can you hear the motor running while the drum stands still? Then the belt between the motor and the drum has probably snapped or come off the wheel.
A faulty drain pump
If the filter is clean and water still stays in the drum, the pump itself is probably broken.
A control module problem
Sometimes the problem is in the electronics and the command to spin is no longer passed on.
What does the error code on your washing machine display mean?
When the machine will not spin, most error codes point to a drain problem, an imbalance or the motor.
| Brand | Error code or message and what it usually means |
|---|---|
| Bosch and Siemens | E18 or F18: the water cannot drain. Check the filter, then the pump. E21 or F21: motor fault, often worn brushes |
| AEG, Electrolux and Zanussi | E20: drain problem, check the filter and the hose. E50: problem with the motor or the drive |
| Miele | F11: the water drain is blocked or the pump is faulty. F50: fault in the drive or the motor |
| Samsung | 5E or 5C: the water is not being pumped out. UE: drum imbalance. 3E or 3C: motor problem |
Is your code not listed? Check the manual for your brand or book a diagnosis, and the technician reads the fault on site. Do not force the machine, as that can damage the control module.
How does spinning actually work?
The drum turns at high speed, which presses the laundry against the wall and forces the water out through the small holes.
That is why the machine always starts gently, with a few movements back and forth. It spreads the laundry and looks for balance. Only when the sensors feel that the weight is evenly spread does it switch to high speed. If it did not, the machine would literally walk across your bathroom.
A higher spin speed gives drier laundry, but also more wear on clothes and on the machine itself.
Repair or replace: what does a technician advise?
A washing machine that no longer spins is usually not a reason to buy a new one.
When is repairing the smartest choice?
Brushes, a drive belt and a drain pump are typical wear parts that a technician often replaces during the same visit. If your machine is not very old, repairing is the logical choice, for your wallet and for the environment.
How do you find out which it is?
After the diagnosis at your home you know the cause and whether repairing pays off. You then pay a maximum of €179 for diagnosis and repair together, parts extra. A new washing machine costs €400 to €800.
How do you stop your washing machine from no longer spinning?
Four habits keep your washing machine running longer.
Always check the pockets
Coins, hairpins, screws and toothpicks slip through the holes in the drum and block the drain pump. If water is stuck, the spin stops. So always empty the pockets.
Do not overfill or underfill the drum
An overfilled machine makes the motor and the drive belt work overtime. Leave room for a clenched fist above the laundry. A nearly empty machine with one heavy item goes out of balance, so add a few towels.
Do not use too much detergent
More soap does not mean cleaner laundry. Stick to the dose on the packaging so there is no excess foam.
Clean the lint filter every 3 to 4 months
Do not wait until the laundry comes out dripping wet. Opening the flap and rinsing the filter takes two minutes. Also run an empty machine at 90 degrees once a month, optionally with a machine cleaner, to keep hoses and sensors clean.
Where do we repair washing machines at home?
Our technicians work in Antwerp, the Brussels-Capital Region, East Flanders, West Flanders, Flemish Brabant, Limburg, Liège, Namur, Hainaut and Walloon Brabant.
Do your technicians have to travel from Vilvoorde every morning?
No. Our technicians live all over Belgium and set off every morning from their own municipality. The parts they need are delivered straight to their homes. That way we get to you quickly, without long drives and often as soon as the next working day.
Is your washing machine broken?
Our washing machine repair page covers all symptoms, error codes and brands. Water left in the drum? Read washing machine not draining. The diagnosis at your home costs €69, a repair €179 in total at most, parts extra. See also all our prices.
Frequently asked questions about a washing machine that does not spin
Start with the lint filter at the bottom, because if the water cannot drain, the machine blocks the spin. Then check that the laundry is evenly spread and that there is not too much foam.
The laundry is then bunched up on one side of the drum. Shake it out, spread it and start again. With one heavy item, add a few towels.
Yes, try it once after cleaning the filter and spreading the laundry. If the machine still refuses, take the wet laundry out of the drum and book a diagnosis instead of forcing the machine.
A machine that pumps and washes but can no longer get the drum up to speed often points to worn brushes, especially on an older appliance. The technician confirms it on site.
The diagnosis at your home costs €69. If the technician can repair it, you pay €179 in total at most, parts extra, with a 3-month warranty on the repair.
No. If your washing machine is still under the manufacturer’s warranty, contact the manufacturer or the shop where you bought it.
Use the button on this page to choose a day and a time slot yourself. You can also call 02 615 45 20. Give the brand, the model number and the error code.