How to Fix a Whirlpool Washer That's Not Spinning

Download Article

Find out what to do if your Whirlpool washer won't spin

Co-authored by Egor Shevtsov and Eric McClure

Last Updated: November 26, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Quick Fixes to Common Problems
|
• Inspecting the Drive Belt

|Show more |Show less

If your Whirlpool machine isn’t spinning, start with the simplest explanation by checking to see if your clothes are clumped up on one side of the drum. If the clothes are fine, check the fuse box, outlet, and power cord to ensure there are no power issues. Lastly, make sure that the machine is level. If your drum still isn’t spinning, we’ll show you how to confirm the final two potential issues (the lid and drive belt) aren’t to blame.

Things You Should Know

• The odds are high your washing machine is unbalanced, the load is too big, or you used too much soap.
• Clean the lid latch and the divot where the lid latch goes with a clean cloth if your lid isn’t staying closed.
• Check the drive belt inside the machine to determine if it’s broken, torn, or loose.

Steps

Get Product Support Solve Any Problem

Hi there! Do you have a question about how to use or repair your home appliance? I’ve read the manuals so you don’t have to. Select your product, brand, and model, then ask away!

Select Product Dishwasher Dryer Garage Door Opener Ice Maker Refrigerator Thermostat Washing Machine Other *

Select Brand AEG Amana Beko Blanco Blomberg Bosch Bush Crosley Electra Electrolux GE Haier Hisense Hotpoint IFB Indesit John Lewis Kenmore LG Logik Maytag Miele Samsung Sharp Siemens Speed Queen Whirlpool Zanussi Other *

Select Model (optional) I don't know 4KWTW5600JW 4KWTW5600JW1 4KWTW5700JW 4KWTW5700JW1 4KWTW5800JW 4KWTW5800JW1 4KWTW5900JW 4KWTW5900JW1 652D 7MWET3300EQ0 7MWGT3300EQ0 7MWGT4027HW 8578179 AWE 9730 AWG 5061:M6 LSQ9030PQ0 LTE5243DQ6 LTE5243DT6 LTE6234DQ4 LTE6234DQ5 LTE6234DT4 LTE6234DT5 LTG5243DQ6 LTG5243DT6 MHW5630HC0 MHW5630HC1 MHW5630HC2 MHW5630HW1 MHW6630HC1 MHW6630HC2 MHW6630HC3 MHW6630HW1 MHW6630HW2 MHW8630HC1 MHW8630HC2 MHW8630HW1 MHW8630HW2 MHW8630HW3 NFW5800HW0 W10158200B W10235936A W10280544F W10343071C W10441073B W10441074B - SP W10607424B W10607427C W10656457B W10656464C W10656465C – SP W10656476B - SP W10783951A W10891955A W11035364A W11037201A W11042232A W11355369A WET3300XQ0 WET3300XQ1 WET3300XQ2 WET4024EW WFW5605MW WFW560CHW WFW5620HW1 WFW5620HW2 WFW5620HW3 WFW6605MC WFW6620HC1 WFW6620HW1 WFW70HEBW WFW72HEDW WFW7590FW0 WFW75HEFW0 WFW8620HC WFW8620HC2 WFW8620HC3 WFW8620HW3 WFW862CHC WFW862CHC3 WFW9050XW00 WFW9200SQ WFW92HEFBD0 WFW92HEFC0 WFW92HEFU0 WFW92HEFW0 WFW9620HBK WGT3300XQ0 WGT3300XQ1 WGT3300XQ2 WGT3300XQ3 WTW2000HW WTW4655JW0 WTW4700YQ0 WTW4750YQ0 WTW4750YQ1 WTW4800BQ0 WTW4800XQ0 WTW4800XQ1 WTW4800XQ2 WTW4800XQ4 WTW4815EW WTW4820XQ0 WTW4855HW0 WTW4855HW1 WTW4910XQ0 WTW4910XQ1 WTW4910XQ3 WTW4930XW0 WTW4930XW1 WTW4930XW3 WTW4955HW0 WTW4955HW1 WTW5000DW1 WTW5000DW3 WTW500CMW WTW5010LW WTW5015LW WTW5057LW WTW5100HC WTW5105HW WTW6120HW WTW6150PW WTW6157PW WTW7000DW0 WTW7000DW1 WTW7000DW2 WTW7000DW3 WTW7000DW4 WTW7040DW1 WTW7120HC WTW7300DC0 WTW7300DW0 WTW7300DW1 WTW7300DW2 WTW7500GC0 WTW7500GC2 WTW7500GC3 WTW7500GW0 WTW7500GW2 WTW7500GW3 WTW8000BW0 WTW8000DW2 WTW8040DW1 WTW8040DW2 WTW8040DW3 WTW8040DW4 WTW8127LC WTW8500DC0 WTW8500DC1 WTW8500DC2 WTW8500DR0 WTW8500DR1 WTW8500DW0 WTW8500DW1 WTW8500DW2 WTW8540BW WTW8700EC0 WhiteMagic Royale 6.5 YWET3300XQ1 YWET3300XQ2 Other

Ask

Section 1 of 2:

Quick Fixes to Common Problems

Download Article

1. 1
   Look to see if the load is unbalanced. If the drum has suddenly stopped mid-cycle, your wash load was likely too heavy or asymmetrical. If the drum is overloaded, remove half of the clothes. If they’re bunched up on one side, spread them back out.
2. 2
   Check the fuse box and outlet for power failures. Start with the easiest fix by checking the plug in the outlet. Then, if the circuit breaker is flipped, reset the fuse and run the cycle again. Last, check the outlet itself to ensure it’s actually working by plugging in a phone charger or nightlight. If it isn’t working, call an electrician.
   Advertisement
3. 3
   Confirm that your machine is level. Put a level on the machine to ensure it’s flat. If it isn’t, prop the machine up and set a brick or small object under the machine. Then, adjust the casters on the bottom of the front legs to change the height. Continue making minor adjustments until the machine is perfectly flat.
4. 4
   Look for excessive suds inside the drum. If you see a ton of soap bubbles inside of the machine and/or you see an error code like “5d,” “Sd,” or “Sds” on the machine, your Whirlpool has detected too many suds in the machine. Your machine will automatically finish the cycle once most of the soap has dissipated. In the future, use less soap in your wash cycles.
5. 5
   Open and close the lid multiple times to test the lock. Whirlpool machines should “click” when the lid is closed, so open and shut the lid a few times. If you don’t hear that clicking noise to confirm the machine is locked, the mechanism is likely stuck. If you do hear the click and there’s no error on the screen, the lid is probably fine.

   • If you see “ld” or “ldl” on the screen, your Whirlpool has detected an error in the lid.
6. 6
   Clean the latch and the divot on the lid. Grab a clean cloth and soak it in water. Wring the excess water out and wipe down the lid mechanism on the machine. Wipe away any gunk, lint, or dust. Then, clean the small latch mechanism on the lid. If the latch doesn’t have any resistance and it freely moves back and forth, it’s likely broken and you need a new lid.

   • Contact a professional appliance repair company to have them replace the lid.
Advertisement

Section 2 of 2:

Inspecting the Drive Belt

Download Article

1. 1
   Unlock the panel directly underneath the drum. If you have a top-loading machine, remove the bottom panel. For a front loader, remove the back. Unplug the machine if you haven’t unplugged it already, then tilt it into a position where you can remove the back or bottom. Then, look for the screws running around the rim of the panel. Unscrew those fasteners and then slide the panel out.

   • Depending on the model, you may need to unscrew the back panel first before you can remove the bottom panel on a top-loading washer.
   • If the lid and latch are working just fine, the drive belt is the next most likely culprit for a Whirlpool drum that won’t spin.
   • You may get an F# or F# E# error code if the drive belt isn’t working correctly.
2. 2
   Locate the drive belt at the bottom of the drum. The drive belt is a long length of rubber that connects the pulleys and gears attached to your washing machine’s motor. The easiest way to find it is to look for the largest circular gear. The pulley should wrap around that before feeding around a sequence of smaller gears.

   • If you’ve ever worked on cars or looked under the engine hood, the washing machine’s drive belt is basically identical in form and function to a car’s serpentine belt.
3. 3
   Confirm the belt is taut or replace it if it’s broken. If the belt is loose or snapped, that’s why your belt isn’t working. Purchase a replacement belt for your model and install it per your washer’s instructions. If the belt is tight and secure, it’s likely that your motor isn’t working and it’s time to call a professional repair person.

   • If you don’t want to put the new belt on yourself, contact an appliance repair company.
   • If you replace the belt yourself, reattach the panels before putting the washer back in place and run a dry cycle to confirm the washer is fixed.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!