Washing machine not spinning? Causes and solutions

What you can check yourself first 🛠️

Before you schedule a repair, there are two things you can check yourself in a few minutes:

1. A clogged lint filter (Most common!)

If the water cannot drain, the washing machine blocks the spin programme as a safety measure.

• The solution: Open the flap at the bottom of your washing machine. Have a towel ready, slowly turn the filter open and let the water drain out. Clean the filter (remove coins, hairpins or lint) and put it back. Test if the machine will now spin.

2. Imbalance in the drum

Modern washing machines have an imbalance sensor. If you wash one heavy bath mat or a large duvet, the drum can become unbalanced. To prevent damage, the machine will refuse to spin at high speed.

• The solution: Remove some laundry from the machine or add a few extra towels to better distribute the weight. Start the spin programme again.

When do you need a We.repair technician? 🔧

Have you cleaned the filter and is the load perfectly balanced, but the drum still refuses to work? Then a technical part probably needs replacing.

• Worn carbon brushes: This is a classic issue with slightly older washing machines. The carbon brushes transfer power to the motor. If they are worn out, the motor simply no longer has the strength to get the heavy drum moving.

• Broken or stretched drive belt: Do you hear the motor running, but the drum is still? Then it is likely that the belt connecting the motor to the drum has snapped or come off the wheel.

• Defective drain pump: If the filter is clean but the water still remains in the drum, then the pump itself is likely broken.

• Problems with the control module: Sometimes the problem lies in the 'brain' of the machine and the command to spin is no longer being transmitted.

Krijg je je wasmachine niet aan de praat? Geen paniek. Onze experts hebben de juiste onderdelen en de kennis om je machine snel weer te laten spinnen. Boek nu direct een We.repair technieker in

Behind the scenes: How does spinning actually work? 💡

Now that you know how to solve the problem, it's interesting to take a moment to consider what actually happens inside that machine. Washing machines are fascinating pieces of technology!

The power of G-forces

Spinning works based on centrifugal force. As the drum spins at high speed, your laundry is pressed against the walls of the drum with enormous force. The water in the clothing is forced out through the small holes in the drum. During spinning, your clothes experience G-forces similar to what fighter pilots feel!

Why does the drum spin slowly at first?

Have you noticed that a washing machine never starts spinning at full speed immediately? It first spins slowly back and forth a few times. This is called "redistributing" the laundry. The machine seeks the perfect balance. Only when the built-in sensors detect that the weight is evenly distributed does it switch to high speed. If it doesn't do this, the washing machine could literally walk through your bathroom.

1400 or 1600 RPM: Does it really make a difference?

On the panel of your machine, you often see RPM numbers (RPM - Rotations Per Minute).

• 1200 RPM: Fine for delicate laundry, but the clothes remain wetter.

• 1400 RPM: The gold standard. The perfect balance between drying results and wear on your clothes.

• 1600 RPM: Your laundry comes out drier (handy if you use a tumble dryer, as it then consumes less energy), but the friction is higher, which can cause your clothes to wear out faster.

The faster the drum spins, the harder the technology has to work. Therefore, good maintenance is essential for a long lifespan of your appliance!

What does the error code on your display mean? (By brand) ⚠️

Modern washing machines are smart. If they refuse to spin, they often try to tell you why via an error code on the display. These codes often refer to a problem with the water drainage (if the machine is full of water, the spin cycle is blocked for safety) or the motor.

Here is an overview of the most common error codes by brand that indicate a problem with spinning:

Bosch & Siemens

• F18 or E18: The absolute classic. This means that the machine cannot pump out the water. Check the fluff filter! Is it not blocked? Then the drain pump is defective.

• F21 or E21: A motor fault. This is often a sign that the carbon brushes are worn and the drum can no longer start.You need a We.repair technician for this.

• F43 or E43: The motor is no longer running. This may be due to a blocked drum or worn motor parts.

AEG, Electrolux & Zanussi

• E20, E21 or C2: Problems with the drainage. The machine cannot spin because there is still water in the drum. Check the filter and the drain hose for kinks.

• E50 (series): This indicates a problem with the motor or the drive. Often the control module detects that the motor is not reaching the correct RPM.Time to call in an expert.

Miele

• F11: The water drainage is blocked or the pump is defective. As long as the F11 code is visible, a Miele washing machine will never start the spin programme.

• F50 or F53: Fault in the drive or the motor (often the tachogenerator that measures the speed). The machine does not know how fast it is spinning and stops for safety.

Samsung

• 5E, 5C or Nd: The water is not being pumped out. Clean the filter flap at the bottom.

• UE, Ub or E4: Unbalance in the drum (Unbalanced Error). The laundry is piled up on one side of the drum. The solution is simple: shake out the laundry, redistribute it, and restart.

• 3E or 3C: Motor problem. The drum does not have enough power to turn.

Whirlpool & Bauknecht

• F03, F3 or FP (Fault Pump): The drain pump is stuck or broken. The machine stops before spinning.

• F06: No signal from the motor (Tachometer problem). The machine tries to turn, realises it cannot and stops.Have this checked by a professional.

Is your error code listed and is it not a simple filter blockage? > Do not force the machine, as this can damage the control module. Our local We.repair technicians know the error codes of every brand by heart and often have the right spare parts with them.

Prevention is better than cure: 5 tips to avoid spinning problems 🛡️

Once your washing machine is happily spinning again, you want to keep it that way. A repair is inconvenient, but fortunately, you can prevent most problems with the pump or motor yourself. With these 5 simple habits, you can significantly extend the lifespan of your appliance:

1. Always check the pockets It sounds obvious, but loose coins, hairpins, screws or toothpicks are the absolute number one enemy of your washing machine. They slip through the holes of the drum, block the drain pump and prevent the water from draining (causing the spinning to stop). So always empty your pockets properly.

2. Find the perfect balance (Not too full, not too empty)

• Too full: Are you overloading the machine? Then the motor (and thus the carbon brushes) and the drive belt have to work overtime to get that heavy wet mass up to 1400 RPM. This causes rapid wear and tear. Rule of thumb: you should still be able to hold a clenched fist above the laundry in the drum.

• Too empty: Did you wash only one heavy bath mat or one thick fleece sweater? This causes a huge imbalance, triggering the safety sensor and cancelling the spin cycle. Always add a few towels to distribute the weight.

3. Watch out for soap suds: Don't use too much detergent More soap does not mean cleaner laundry. On the contrary! Too much detergent causes excessive foaming. Modern washing machines have a pressure sensor that recognises this foam as 'water'. Because the machine thinks it is still full of water, it will refuse to spin for safety reasons. So stick to the recommended dosage on the packaging.

4. Clean the lint filter preventively Don't wait to clean the filter (at the bottom of the machine) until your laundry comes out soaking wet from the drum. Make it a habit to open and rinse this flap every 3 to 4 months. It takes two minutes and saves you a lot of hassle.

5. Give your machine a 'detox' (Boil wash) occasionally Washing at 30 or 40 degrees is good for the environment and your wallet, but it also leaves soap residues and grease (soap scum) in the hoses and sensors. Run an empty machine at 90°C once a month (possibly with a splash of white vinegar or a special machine cleaner). This flushes all the pipes clean, keeping the pump and sensors that control the spin cycle working perfectly.

Is it already too late for prevention? Sometimes a washing machine has simply had its best days or a part has broken due to wear and tear. No problem! Our technicians are happy to sort it out for you.