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Reasons Your Washing Machine Won’t Spin and What to Do About It

Washing machines could not be simpler to use. Simply load your soiled clothing, add detergent, and start the machine. After a few hours, you’ll have clean and fresh laundry ready for clothes dryers.

While this is the case, things become more complicated if something prevents your washing machine from spinning. You end up with a sopping wet ball of clothes that you must either run through another separate spin cycle (after adjusting the load) or, if that fails, wring out and dry yourself, which is time-consuming.

A failed spin cycle can be inconvenient, and even the best washing machines can be affected. If this is a recurring issue for you, appliance repair professionals report that it can be brought about by several reasons causing your washing machine not to spin. Here are some of these reasons and tips on how to solve the problem once and for all.

Overloading the machine

It’s easy to get into the habit of cramming everything into your washing machine. After all, the fewer cycles you run, the more energy and water you save.

While this is correct, overloading your washing machine may cause the load to wash less efficiently because the garments will not agitate as quickly, and the detergent will not penetrate or apply itself evenly.

The solution is simple: don’t overload your washing machine. You can tell whether you’re doing it by how much you shove and stuff things in. Only fill it to make the best use of the available area and to ensure a complete and regulated spin cycle.

When loading the machine, remember that some cycles, such as the rapid wash setting, also have a limited capacity, so keep this in mind at all times.  

Unevenly loading the machine.

Depending on what you’re washing, you might not fill the machine but still create an uneven load. This is frequent when washing heavy objects such as pillows or tiny duvets.

Since these are saturated and weighed down during the wash cycle, any gaps in the drum become more noticeable.

The weight is thrown across the drum while the machine tries to gain speed to spin. In such cases, the sensors will normally kick in and prevent it from spinning for the abovementioned reasons.

To remedy the issue, you need to balance out the weight distribution. This can be accomplished by piling two pillows at once or padding the weight with towels. This will allow the machine to safely reach the appropriate spin speed without tossing itself around.

While this is an effective solution, ensure the bedding you’re washing is machine-safe. Certain pillows, such as memory foam, are not suited, and delicate bedding may require dry washing.

If you wash your pillows in the washing machine, completely dry them afterward, fluffing them frequently in a well-ventilated area.

Running an imbalanced machine

Another reason your washing machine isn’t spinning is because it’s not leveled properly. If the feet are not evenly balanced on the floor, the weight will be rotated in the drum, generating a lot of noise.

Leaning on the top of the appliance and moving your weight around will reveal whether this is the case. In the absence of that, a spirit level can assist in determining where the appliance is uneven. In such cases, the sensors will once again inhibit the spin cycle.

Adjust the feet to the proper height to level an uneven washing machine. To begin, unhook the appliance and carefully remove it from its location.

This allows you to inspect the floor’s condition; if it’s damaged in any manner, you’ll need to repair it. Depending on access, you may need to adjust the feet here, but otherwise, you may push it back into place with a helping hand and adjust it from there. 

The directions for adjusting the feet will be in the handbook, but the standard procedure is to loosen the lock nuts on each foot using a wrench and then rotate the required bolts to increase or decrease the height.

When satisfied, check the balance as you modify and tighten the nuts. This should resolve the issue, but if you need more confidence about adjusting the feet, you can always get a professional to help.

Using too much detergent

Many people have the impression that using too much detergent is harmless. Many believe it increases cleaning performance, but this is not true. Too much detergent makes rinsing garments more difficult, resulting in residual soap. This results in a “scrunchy” texture that is more likely to cause allergy reactions.

Clothes will also not agitate as effectively in the washing machine. You should remember that too many suds prevent a good wash by cushioning the clothes from rubbing against one another.

Too much detergent can cause issues with the spin cycle on front-loading washing machines. This is due to the fact that it produces excessive suds, which confuse the sensors if not thoroughly washed away.

The washing machine will believe it is fuller than it is, affecting the spin cycle speed. It may even pause to remove the suds, resulting in delays or problems. At best, this results in a less efficient spin cycle and clothing that is too moist and soapy.

To stay safe, use a suitable HE (high efficiency) washing detergent to avoid this issue. Such detergents will not produce excessive suds but follow the dosage instructions.

Damaged drive belt

The drive belt in your washing machine is what rotates the drum. So, if it’s stopped spinning, there could also be an issue here. By manually turning the empty drum of your washing machine, you may examine the condition of the drive belt. If it spins smoothly with little effort, the drive belt has likely been misplaced or snapped entirely.

Check the drive belt on some machines by unplugging the machine and removing the front or rear panel – your manual should provide instructions. You should be able to see if it’s come loose or broken and has to be replaced.

In either case, you should get the help of a washer repair Fairfax professional to handle the replacement. Some machines may need to be propped up or even flipped over to gain access to this part, which can be dangerous, and you must use the correct part for the exact model and fit it correctly, which a professional can assist with.

Items That Should Never See The Insides Of Your Washing Machine

As much as a washing machine is a vital appliance in your home as it makes cleaning easy, you shouldn’t wash everything using it. This is because some items can cause damage to them, and you are forced to hire an appliance repair professional.

Which are these items? Here they are:

Memory foam pillows

You can wash most synthetic, cotton, and even down pillows in the washer, but you can’t do this to memory foam pillows usually can’t. This is because foam is too fragile, and the process can easily tear it. Even if you choose not to spin, the clothes will still be heavy and wet, so don’t do it.

Most of the time, you can wash the covers in the washing machine. But use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum to clean the foam pillow. If you need to clean specific spots, use a microfiber cloth, a mild dish detergent solution, and a damp cloth to clean.

Loose bras

Washing a bra can ruin its shape and hurt its underwire. On top of that, the metal clasps can easily catch on other things in the load and tear them while the cycle is running.

Use a laundry bag when you wash your bras in the washing machine. If you want to be safe and don’t want any damage, wash by hand.

Swimwear

Even if the tag on your swimsuit says it can be washed in a washing machine, you should wash it by hand if you want it to last.

You should note that when you put the swimwear material through a wash cycle, the material will stretch and sag, which means it will lose shape over time. You don’t want this, do you?

Whether your swimwear is made of nylon or spandex, the material can easily get caught on other things in the load, like zippers or clasps, and get damaged. To avoid damage and disappowashingr, wash it gently is better by hand.

Embellished items

If your clothing has sequins all over it, it’s likely to get ruined in the washing machine.

Even if you turn the item inside out, many threads can still be pulled or caught during the cycle.

If the decorations are stuck on, that won’t help either because the heat can melt the glue.

Don’t put your embellished clothing items in the washing machine to avoid all the problems that can come about.

For the same reason, you shouldn’t put anything with lace or embroidery. Lace is too fragile and can be torn easily by other things. To protect your clothing, follow the care label and take them to a dry cleaner if you need to.

Delicate sweaters

This is probably the mistake that people make the most. If the item is made of wool, cashmere, or velvet, check the care label to learn how to wash it.

The high temperatures in a washing machine can make the fabric shrink, and rubbing against other things can make it look old.

You can wash your sweater by hand with a mild detergent or take it to the dry cleaners if necessary.

Even if the care label says you can wash the sweater in a machine, use a laundry bag to protect it during the cycle and make it last longer.

Suits

It makes sense to follow ties with suits, which should also not be washed in a machine. Most are made of delicate fabrics that can easily get ruined in the wash.

Even if the suit is made of cotton or polyester, it will still have interfacing, giving it its shape. Water can break down interfacing and make it bend out of the body, so don’t wash your suits in the washing machine. Instead, take them to a dry cleaner.

Parting shot

These are some of the clothing items you shouldn’t wash in the washing machine. You protect your clothing and engine by passing the right things in your washing machine, so you don’t need a washer repair Springfield professional.

6 Things You Shouldn’t Put In Your Washing Machine

Just because something is a piece of clothing doesn’t mean that you should put it in the washing machine. This is because it might get damaged or, even worse, damage your precious and expensive appliance. Which pieces of clothing should you not put in the machine? Here they are as given by washer repair professionals:

Suits

If you have a premium suit, you shouldn’t put it in the washing machine when it gets dirty. This is because it will develop plenty of wrinkles that will be unsightly to look at. There is also the risk of damaging the premium material used in making the suit.

Instead of washing the outfit at home, take it to a dry cleaner, where it will be professionally cleaned.

Clothes covered in pet hair.

If you have cats or dogs in your house, you most likely have their hair on your clothes. A few hairpieces on the clothes aren’t a big deal, but if you have plenty of it, it’s unwise to put the outfits in the washing machine.

While the hair might come off after washing, it often sticks in the washing machine, where it might get transferred to other pieces of clothing you put there.

The best way to wash clothes covered in pet hair is using hand. First, remove all the fur if you have to wash them using a washing machine. One excellent tool you can use for the work is a lint roller.

Clothes with open zippers

If you run your finger along an open zipper, you will notice that each of the teeth catches your skin. This is the same thing that will happen to your washing machine.

When you run a cycle with unzipped zippers, they risk catching and damaging other clothing items, especially delicate ones. There is also the risk of the zippers scratching the insides of the drum.

To protect your washing machine and delicates, zip up all of your zippers to the top before you run a cycle.

For the buttoned clothes, leave the buttons unbuttoned to avoid putting too much pressure on the button thread during the cycle.

Swimsuits

Swimsuits are delicate; even if the label might say that the outfit is machine washable, it would be wise to avoid it and wash it by hand.

The reason for this is that the swimsuit material is at risk of stretching and sagging when subjected to a washing cycle, meaning that it will eventually lose its shape.

There is also the risk of the swimsuit getting caught on other pieces of clothing and getting damaged.

As mentioned above, to avoid this, gently hand wash the outfits.

Loose bras

Similar to swimsuits, bras are also delicate, so you can easily damage them when you put them in the washing machine.

In most cases, the wash ruins the bra’s shape, not to mention damaging the underwire.

There is also the risk of the metal clasps snagging and tearing other items in the load during the cleaning cycle.

To protect your precious bra, always use a laundry bag. You should put all your bras in this bag and throw them in the washing machine.

If you don’t have a bag, go the old route and wash the bras by hand.

Delicate sweaters

It’s not just the inner wears that are delicate. Sweaters can also be delicate. If you have a sweater made from wool, velvet, or cashmere, be cautious when placing it in the washing machine, as high temperatures can shrink the material.

There is also the risk of friction between the sweater and the washing machines leaving the outfit looking worn and ugly, and you don’t want this, do you?

Wash your delicate sweater by hand using a gentle laundry detergent to stay on the safe side. If you don’t have the time for it, take your sweater to the dry cleaners.

Even if the labels on the sweater say that you can machine-wash the outfit, don’t do it. If you have to do it, appliance repair Springfield recommend that you place the sweater in a laundry bag that will protect the sweater from any form of damage.

How Do You Know If Your Washing Machine Is Broken?

How do you know if your washing machine is broken? Well, there are plenty of symptoms you can look out for. Some of these symptoms, as given by washer repair contractors include:

The washing machine is leaking.

Most washing machine leaks are due to overflowing or loose connections, but sometimes the leaking can be due to complex problems. For example, if you have had your appliance for a long time, the water hose at the back of the washer might be worn out, and you need to replace it.

Your appliance might also be having a cracked tub you need to seal to restore the unit to its proper working condition.

Before you hire a service provider to fix the unit, first try to solve the overflowing problem. You do this by finding out the size of the load that can fit the washer and still leaves room for turning, shaking, and spinning.

The washer is making a lot of noise.

The washing machine will make weird noises due to plenty of reasons. For example, if it’s unbalanced, it will make noise when running, and all you need to do to fix this is to place the washer level.

If you balance the machine, but it’s still making the noise, you have a reason to be worried. First, stop the wash cycle, rearrange the clothes, and load the washing machine correctly, so the clothes are evenly distributed. Still experiencing the noise? The motor drum or mount might be loose and need tightening.

Unless you have the experience, let an experienced professional help you with the work.

Water doesn’t drain properly.

Once you have completed the washing cycle, the washer should drain completely, so you are left with little or no water in the washer. If you complete a cycle but some water sticks around the washing machine’s insides, you definitely have a problem you should address as soon as possible.

For example, the pump might be blocked, or the drain hose might be clogged hence preventing the water from draining as well as it should. The improper draining might also be due to problems with the water pump.

You need to get in touch with experienced technicians with the necessary tools and expertise to help you diagnose the issue and fix it.

Water doesn’t fill the drum.

When properly functioning, the washing machine should fill up with enough water to thoroughly clean the clothes. When the appliance is broken, water has a problem getting into the appliance. Water will fail to get into the appliance due to plenty of problems such as: kink in the hose, issue with the machine’s water intake valve or filter, or any other issue.

Contact an experienced professional to help you troubleshoot the source of the problem and fix it.

The drum doesn’t spin.

Water might fill the drum without any issue, but if the drum isn’t spinning, it’s pointless as you won’t be able to clean your clothes. The drum will fail to spin due to plenty of issues such as belts or lid switch.

You can try to replace the belts on your own but replacing the lid switch is more difficult, so you will be better off hiring a professional to help you out.

The washing machine keeps moving.

A moving washer might seem interesting, and most homeowners ignore it, but don’t do this. A properly functioning washer should remain in place when cleaning, spinning, and rinsing. So, when the unit is moving around, you have a problem you should fix as soon as possible.

If the machine is moving around and at the same time making a lot of noise, the movement could be due to imbalance, so you need to balance it, and you are good to go.

If you balance it and it’s still moving, it might be having a more serious problem, so you need to hire an appliance repair Springfield professional to find out the cause of the movements.

Don’t ignore these movements as a walking machine comes with plenty of risks. For example, the machine might start sloshing water outside the unit, which can ruin the floor leading to mildew and mold.

The walking washer can also pull itself free of its connections putting your property at the risk of fire.

How Do You Fix A Washing Machine That Shakes?

Is your washing machine shaking and wondering how do you fix a washing machine that shakes? There are plenty of ways to do it depending on the underlying cause of the problem. To help you out, here are some of the ways to fix a shaky washing machine as given by washer repair experts:

Replace the shock absorbers

All washing machines have shock absorbers designed to dampen the tub movements in the spin cycle. With time the absorbers weaken or even get damaged, and this causes the washer to shake and move. Because of this, the machine makes loud banging sound during a spin cycle.

So one way to fix the shaking washing machine is to inspect and replace the shock absorbers if worn out. To undertake the inspection, begin with unplugging the machine to avoid getting electrocuted, then locate the shock absorbers. Depending on the model, you may have to remove the front or rear panels to access the shocks.

To tell whether the shock absorbers are damaged, look out for broken attachments, leaking fluids and weakened dampening action.

Level the washing machine’s feet

Unbalanced feet are one of the leading causes of a shaky washing machine, so when your washing machine is shaking, this is the first thing to look into. Some dishwasher models use four threaded legs, while others use two threaded legs and two self-leveling rear legs.

How you go about the leveling depends on your washing machine’s model. To avoid electrocution, unplug the washing machine from the power source then tilt the machine on it’s front, side and back to access the feet.

Carefully inspect the feet and ensure they are level. If any of the feet isn’t level, run a test cycle to see where the problem could be and fix it. If the feet are level but the machine is still shaking, lookout for signs of wear and damage and ensure the feet are properly threaded.

Pad the sides

Sometimes you might have the impression the washing machine is shaking too much, but this isn’t the case. You should note that it’s normal for the washing machine to wiggle a little as the drum spins, especially during the high-speed spin cycles.

While the wiggling is normal, it can sometimes be unpleasantly noisy or shaky, especially if your washer isn’t padded.

If every diagnosis you are doing is checking out, but the washer is still shaking, chances are the appliance lacks padding. Place pads to the sides of the washing machine to reduce the sound and effect of the vibrations. These pads function like acoustic panels that reduce the washing machine’s vibrations and cushion any shaking the machine might cause to the nearby appliances, objects, and walls.

You can also buy special anti-vibration pads specifically designed for washing machine and other similar appliances.

To stop the washer from wiggling out of place, place anti-walking pads under the washing machine’s feet.

Balance the load

Load imbalance can also significantly contribute to a shaky washing machine, so balancing the load will go a long way towards keeping the washer stable and prevent it from shaking. When you notice the machine shaking, stop it and balance the load.

How do you do this? If you have a top loading washer, ensure the clothes are evenly distributed all the way around the center column.

If washing one or two items, add a few towels or shirts to even out the load. You should always avoid washing just one piece of clothing as it will put more weight on one side, which is dangerous.

Remove the shipping bolts

Have you just bought the washing machine and its already shaking? This could be due to the shipping bolts. From their name, these are clunky plastic bolts placed to prevent the washing machine drum from wobbling during transit.

These bolts protect the drum and the internal parts of the machine when the unit isn’t in use, but you should remove them immediately you install the machine.

Before you contact an appliance repair Fairfax professional to find out the cause of the shaking, reach inside your washer and press the inside of the drum. If the drum doesn’t wobble, the shipping bolts are most likely in place and you need to remove them before you run the next cycle.

Washer Repair: Common Washer Problems And How To Fix Them

It’s frustrating when the washer isn’t working properly. When many people identify problems with their washing machines, they rush to call washer repair professionals. You don’t need to do this as you can diagnose the problems and fix them by yourself. Here are some of the most common washer problems and how to fix them:

Failure of the washer to run

You switch on the unit and it doesn’t start. It’s frustrating, isn’t it? When this happens the first thing you should do is to check whether the unit is plugged in. It’s common for the plugs to get loose after being bumped by animals. Objects can also fall on the plugs. If the unit isn’t properly plugged in, do so.

If properly plugged in but it still isn’t working, you should check the breaker box. Has it tripped? Raise it.  Still not working? Check the home electrical box and see whether the fuse has blown or the circuit breaker has tripped. If the problem is with the fuses, you don’t have to worry as you can easily replace them.

If everything is fine and still the unit won’t work, check the lead switch. These switches tend to break. The good thing is that they are easy to replace. In some cases, they can gunk up with lint and detergent residues. All you need to do is to clean the contact lenses using a swab and rubbing alcohol.

Still not working after doing all this? it’s time to call a professional to inspect the unit and fix it.

Failure of water to get into the washer

You need water to do laundry; therefore, when there is no water getting into your unit, you can’t do anything. When there isn’t any water getting into the machine you should check the valves and ensure they are open. Some of the washers won’t work unless both of the valves are open; therefore, open them.

Are the valves open but still the water isn’t getting in? You must be having a clog in the filter screen. For you to fix this problem you need to uplug the machine, unscrew the hoses, and check whether there is a clog in the filter. If this is the problem, a simple cleaning is enough to restore the machine to its previous working condition.

The washer making loud noises

The washer is supposed to make some mild noise, but when its making a lot of noise, you have a reason to worry. The washing machine will make a lot of noise when its loaded improperly or the laundry has shifted during the cleaning cycle.

To get rid of the noise you need to stop the machine and load it properly. If you have a standard top load washer, load the clothing on both sides of the central agitator.

Are there humming, gurgling, or clicking noises coming from the machine? There might be objects caught in the internal mechanisms of the machine. The machine might also be having clogged drains. For to get rid of the noise you need to stop the machine and check the source of the noise. In most cases you will find a button, coin, or tiny toy in the machine.

Is the machine making screeching or squealing noises? This might be a sign of an internal mechanical problem. You need to contact a washing machine expert to help you with the repair.

Leaking of the washer

There should be no water on the floor when you are using a properly functioning washer. When you notice water puddles on the floor, the first thing you should check are the hoses connecting the hot and cold water valves.

Are the hoses loose? Tighten them. If the hose has small splits, replace it immediately. This is to prevent the hose from bursting creating a lot of mess in the room.

Clothes still too wet after final spin cycle

By the time the clothes are going through the final spin cycle, they should be almost dry. If they are still quite wet, check the condition of the drain hose. Is it kinked or crushed? Fix it. Appliance repair Alexandria professionals also recommend that you check whether the water pump is clogged with lint or any other small objects. If this is the case, clean it.

Washer Repair: 8 Of The Most Common Washing Machine Problems

washer repair

Just like any other appliance, the washer also develops problems. When the problems come about, you can fix them by yourself if you have the skills or hire a washer repair professional to help you out. The most common washer problems are:

Failure of the machine to turn on

This can throw you into panic mode especially if it’s the first time it’s happening. Before you do anything, check the unit and ensure that its plugged in and the circuit breakers haven’t tripped. Sometimes the unit will fail to turn on if the clothes aren’t evenly distributed.

If this is the case with yours, redistribute the clothes within the drum, ensuring an even load. You should then close the lid tightly. Does the machine now turn on? If it doesn’t, you must be having problems with the timer circuitry. The problem might also be in the lid switch or electrical outlet. These areas require the expertise of a professional; therefore, don’t try fixing them by yourself.

Failure of the machine to drain

A properly functioning washer should drain water from the drum before the spin cycle begins. If you open the lid and after washing them you find the clothes still swimming in water, the drain hose must be clogged. If it seems clear, you must be having issues with the water pump or drive belt. This requires that you hire a washer expert to repair it. If it’s too damaged, replace it.

Jumping and weird noises coming from the washing machine

You will experience this problem when you have improperly loaded your washing machine. Fixing the problem is easy as all you need to do is to stop it and redistribute the wet clothes. Does it still make the noises? It might be off-balance. Check the level and ensure that the feet are positioned on a flat surface. Also, consider placing it on a rug or mat that will absorb some of the force.

Failure of the washer to spin

If the washer fills normally and doesn’t agitate or spin, check the door and ensure that it’s latched properly. Also, check the belts for wear and tightness. Is the problem fixed? If it hasn’t, the unit might be having issues with the drive motor coupling or clutch assembly. This problem is usually complex and requires that you hire an appliance repair technician to help you with the diagnosis and repair.

Bad smell coming from the machine

If your washer has a musty or mildew smell it means, there is mold or bacteria growing in your unit. You need to get rid of the bacteria for you to get rid of the smell. For you to prevent the problem from coming about you should always use the right amount of detergent. Also, make a habit of leaving the washer door and detergent dispensers open when you aren’t using the machine.

Washing machine experts also recommend that you regularly run a washing cycle while the machine is empty.

Washing machine leaking water

A properly functioning washing machine won’t leak any water. If water is leaking from your unit, check the hoses by running a dry cloth or paper towel along the length. If the hoses are the problem, replace them as soon as possible.

In some cases, the leakage is due to an old appliance. In such a case, you have no way out other than to replace the old machine with a new one.

The washer fills and drains simultaneously

Have you come across a problem where the washing machine fills during the drain cycle and sticks in this phase for a long time? You will have this problem when the machine has a defective water inlet valve. Washing machine professionals also observe that you will have the issue if the water level switch, electrical circuit, or air dome hose is working ineffectively.

If you don’t have the necessary skills, this problem is complex and you should let it be handled by an expert.

Failure of the machine to fill

Have you tried filling the unit with water, but it doesn’t? The hoses could be kinked or disconnected. The faucets may also be shut off, the filters might be clogged, you might be having a delayed cycle selection, or any other problem. You need to hire an appliance repair Springfield professional to help you in diagnosing the problem and fixing it.