There are different reasons why you might be stuck figuring out why your whirlpool washer is not spinning. Probably, it just started misbehaving after adding your laundry to the washer making you stuck with your whirlpool washer not spinning. If this is you, then you are at the right place.
In some scenarios, your whirlpool washer would spin for a few moments and stop, while some other users might experience some struggles with the washer during the last wash cycle but on the next usage, the washer won’t spin.
These case scenarios are very common. However, it isn’t limited to that alone.
Since you are here looking for the answer to your whirlpool washer not spinning. You need to read this article till the end because I will be breaking down some things you can do to fix it without needing a repairman
How to Fix Whirlpool Washer not spinning
Below are some easy troubleshooting steps you can quickly carry out when you are stuck with your whirlpool not spinning.
1 . Poorly Balanced Load
There was a whirlpool user who complained that since the time he added a thick blanket to his washer, it started producing strange noises and since then, the washer has ceased to work after then.
This is not directly stating you shouldn’t wash your blanket on your Whirlpool washer. All I am saying is that the load in your washer should be balanced on both sides.
Coupled with that you want to ensure that you are not overloading your washer with too many clothes at a time since it can directly slow down the speed of your spinner.
And in a scenario where the spinner is slow or it isn’t moving your clothing will come out soaked.
2 . Poorly Leveled Whirlpool Washer
Just like other home-based equipment, your Whirlpool washer needs to seat on a well-levelled ground, not slanting ground. If the washer is not well balanced it might be a struggle for the spin to function optimally causing your machine to require more wash cycles.
To reduce this, you should check whether your whirlpool washer is levelled with the ground and there is nothing underneath the washer
3 . Reset Whirlpool washer
After trying the troubleshooting steps listed above, the next thing you should carry out is a rest. If you are unsure about how to do that follow these steps listed below
- Power off the washer.
- Turn the mode dial to NORMAL.
- Turn the dial one click counter-clockwise, three clicks clockwise, one more click counter-clockwise, and finally one click clockwise again.
NOTE: you can check here for a comprehensive guide on resetting your Whirlpool washer.
Advanced Troubleshooting for your Whirlpool Washer not Spinning
Below are some of the troubleshooting steps that might require you to request the services of a repairman unless you are comfortable tinkering with an electronic device.
Another option you have is to contact Whirlpool Customer support if you have gone through the easy troubleshooting steps with no positive results
Below are some advanced reasons why your Whirlpool washer not spinning
Check for Blocked Drain Hose
While this might not directly stop your dryer from spinning, it could reduce the speed or even prolong the time you are supposed to use on a wash cycle since the clothes will be too wet.
If you are faced with a non-spinning whirlpool dryer and your clothes are soaked with water when you remove them, then the drain hose might be clogged with dirt particles.
If you are comfortable checking it out, you should always ensure to power off the washer before doing that
All you have to do is the washer drain hose from the pump and make sure it isn’t clogged up with hairballs, coins, or other debris.
Also, check for blockages in the hose and pump itself.
Another thing you should check is the drain hose placement. In a scenario where the drain hose is too far down the standpipe, water won’t drain effectively from your machine which could cause an improper drain and leave behind plenty of specks of dirt on your clothes.
Check the Door Locks
Just as similar to a microwave, you could be stuck with your Whirlpool washer not spinning due to a faulty door lock or faulty door mechanism.
For the door to lock properly, the catch and the locking mechanism have to be Okay.
If the door or the locking mechanism is faulty. The system will signal that the door is opened which might not make your whirlpool washer spin. If you are faced with this kind of scenario where your washer door isn’t closing properly then you need to contact a repairman for this since it needs a replacement. However, if it is working, move on to the next troubleshooting steps.
Clogged Drain Pump Filter
Your Whirlpool Washer comes with a drain filter. And the job of your Drain Filter is to prevent a foreign object from entering the drain.
The drain filter comes with a net-like component which stops big chunks of particles from entering the drain, however, it could be blocked by the small particle as time goes on and could later result in your Whirlpool washer, not draining.
You might not be completely sure of that unless you’ve tested it by disassembling the washer to check the drain filter.
- If you cannot locate it, use the manual to locate the filter to remove it from the washer
- Now, clean off any particles on the drain filter and also use soap and warm water to wash out any remaining debris on the filter.
- Now insert it back and see if the spinning and draining issue has been resolved.
If it hasn’t then you should try the next troubleshooting step.
Check for Defective Lid Switch
Just as similar to the door lock, the lid switch is also connected to it and a little defect could result in your whirlpool washer not spinning. If the lid switch doesn’t signify that the door is mechanically closed.
In some scenarios, the door would be locked but the lid switch might signify that the door is still open.
If the lid is not closed properly or not activated mechanically, the machine won’t spin. The lid switch is activated when the metal pin slides into the hole of this piece of metal, which is a magnetic field sensor.
It is easier to spot a faulty lid switch and here is how you can troubleshoot it
- Power off the washer
- Locate the lid switch (check your manual if necessary).
- Once located, you will need to remove the lid switch and then check it for continuity with a multimeter.
- If the lid switch has no continuity, it is defective and will need to be replaced. However, if the test shows continuity, it is working correctly, and you can reconnect it to the washer and move on to checking the next component.
Check for Defective Drive Belt
Another great pointer as to why your whirlpool washer not spinning is a damaged drive belt. It might not be easy to spot unless you disassemble the machine apart to locate it.
TO resolve this, all you have to do is, check for cracks or tears. If there are any, the drive belt needs to be replaced.
To check your drive belt follow the steps below
- Make sure the power is still turned off.
- Locate the drive belt (consult your manual if necessary). You will have to remove the top and side panels to access it.
- Inspect the drive belt to see if it is broken or loose. You also need to check that it is connected to the pulleys correctly.
- If the belt is damaged or broken, it will need to be replaced. If the drive belt is fine, you can move on to checking the next component.
Check Drain Pump
Another huge pointer apart from the belt that strongly causes your whirlpool washer, not to Spinning is the drain pump.
You cannot directly know if the problem is coming from your pump, but the possible issue your drain pump might be facing is either particle blockage or the pump is out rightly faulty.
That said, to check if your drain pump is defective, follow the steps below
- Power of your whirlpool washer
- Locate the drain pump using your user manual
- disconnect the drain line and remove the back panel of your machine.
- Check for debris or dirt inside the pump
- If there isn’t and you are not sure if the pump is faulty get a multimeter and test for if power through it
- If it isn’t then you need to replace the drain pump
How do I reset my Whirlpool washer that won’t spin?
If you are stuck in a wash cycle or an error code issue here is how you can reset your whirlpool washer
- Remove its power from the socket
- The first thing to do to reset the whirlpool front loader is to switch Off the Washing machine.
- Now, unplug it from the wall socket.
- After doing that, wait for 2-5 minutes before plugging the socket back.
- Once, you’ve plugged it into the power source, give it about 30 seconds before turning ON the Washing machine from the control panel.
You can check here for other ways to reset your whirlpool washer in case this doesn’t work
Whirlpool Washer not Spinning Fast
One of the reasons for your Whirlpool washer not spinning fast comes from either placing too much laundry inside the asher or the washer is not well levelled with the ground.
Conclusion:
Since you are armed with information on how to resolve your whirlpool washer not spinning, you should be able to resolve this on your own or at least understand where the problem is coming from.
In addition to that, Tinkering with the washer should be carefully thought about since you can cause more work for yourself and the person that will be coming to repair it if things go south.
So you want to be sure that you know what you are doing. If not you can contact Whirlpool customer support for service repairs.