You open the door expecting damp clothes and find them dripping wet. The wash ran, but the spin never happened. It is one of the most common calls we get, and the good news is that the cause is often simple.
1. The load is unbalanced
Modern machines refuse to spin if all the weight has bunched on one side — a single bedsheet or a heavy towel is the usual culprit. Open the door, spread the load out and run a spin-only cycle. If it spins now, that was all it was.
2. The water has not drained
A machine will not spin while there is still water in the drum. If water is left behind, the drain filter or the pump is usually blocked with lint, coins or hair clips. On most front loaders the filter is behind a small flap at the bottom front.
- Put a towel and a shallow tray down first — a lot of water comes out.
- Unscrew the filter slowly and clear it.
- Screw it back firmly, or it will leak.
3. The door lock has failed
On a front loader, the spin cannot start until the door lock confirms it is shut. A lock that has worn out will let the wash run but stop the spin. This needs a replacement part.
4. A worn drive belt or motor brushes
If you can hear the motor running but the drum is not turning, the belt may have slipped or snapped. On older machines, worn carbon brushes in the motor do the same thing.
5. The wrong programme
Delicates, wool and hand-wash programmes spin slowly or not at all on purpose. Check the spin setting has not been turned down to zero.
6. A control board or sensor fault
If none of the above explains it, the fault is usually electronic — a speed sensor or the control board. This is one for a technician.
When to call us
If spreading the load and clearing the filter did not help, book a front load repair or a top load repair. We diagnose it at your home and agree the price before any work starts.
