It doesn’t matter what kind of washer you have: front-loading or top-loading. When it doesn’t spin and properly do its job, it can be incredibly frustrating. Let’s think for a moment just how tough it actually can be dealing with a broken washer: if your washer stops spinning while a load is being done, your clothes will be wet, and if you don’t dry them in time, they can become musty or even moldy.
If your washer breaks post-wash, then you have to actually think about how long you have until you have to do your next load. No one wants to be trekking to and from the laundromat, especially after work.
Thankfully, there are two things to note:
- You might be able to fix this yourself, with no problem and no mechanical experience whatsoever.
- There are companies like Alpha Appliance Services Inc. that will assist you in fixing your washer quite quickly.
Let’s take a look at the reasons why your washer has stopped spinning:
Imbalance in the Load of the Washer
While most commonly seen in top-loading machines, it’s not impossible for a front-loading to experience something similar. When your load isn’t spread out in the most even manner, it will start to be discombobulated and lean, making the washer stop. You may also hear thumping when your washer is overloaded, and it may stop spinning after that, too.
Depending on how new or old your washer is, it may put itself on an auto-stop during this load imbalance. We suggest that you turn off the washer and try to balance out the clothes in your load. Then, you can restart it. If the load doesn’t start spinning again, you may have another issue on your hands. It’s worth noting that you might have to drain what water is inside, depending on how far along the load is.
Drain Trap that’s Clogged
Yet another non-mechanical cause for your washer stopping spinning: a clogged drain trap. Most common in the front-loading type of washers, there are items that come off of clothing like lint, or small buttons, that may become clogged within the filter or trap. When this happens, the main drain can become damaged and clogged. Your machine may actually shut off entirely if this does become too clogged.
While it entirely depends on your model, you’ll have to look at your user’s manual for the drain trap door. Then you’ll want to pull to access the plug or trap cap. There will be some water in there, and you’ll want to put something under to catch it from the drain trap. Collect everything that’s making it clog and then replace the lint trap. After this, you’ll want to restart your machine entirely and begin your cycle again.
Lid Switch
With older machines, a lid switch may be the cause of a machine not spinning. Make sure your switch is activated when the lid of the door is closed. If there is no clicking sound, it may not be functioning properly. A technician may be required to replace the broken part.
Drive Belt
If you’ve used your machine so much, your drive belt may be entirely worn down. This can happen ith both front-loading and top-loading. Excessive spinning is a huge cause, and you might have a harder time diagnosing this one yourself. You’ll want to contact a professional to be sure.
Clutch Assembly
There’s something called a clutch assembly on washers that are top loading and they lock the transmission. Friction from over-use caused to the clutch pads can cause wear and tear. You may hear a loud noise during spinning, burning smell, or dust/shavings underneath the machine. This isn’t something we recommend you fix yourself.
Things you shouldn’t repair yourself include a direct drive motor coupling issue. There are some newer machines that use this instead of a belt drive and can be quite hard for a DIY-er to replace. Of course, there are other reasons why your washer may not be spinning, and it’s important to contact a professional like Alpha Appliance Services Inc. at (416) 577-5354 to diagnose your machine today.
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