How to Fix a Washer That Won’t Drain or Spin

Sometimes washers can experience issues that prevent them from spinning, draining, or both. This can leave your washer essentially unusable. If you’ve noticed that your washer fills with water but won’t drain or complete a spin cycle, this article will help you diagnose and fix the problem.

Here’s a quick overview of the most likely causes that this guide will help you troubleshoot:

• Faulty lid switch
• Drain hose issues
• Bad drain pump
• Power supply issues
• Too many suds

Keep reading for detailed instructions on how to fix these issues.

How to repair a washer that won’t spin or drain

Here are the most common causes of a washer not spinning and draining, along with the steps you need to take to fix them.

1. There’s a problem with the lid switch

A common cause of a washer not spinning and draining is a faulty lid switch. A telltale sign is if your washing machine fills and agitates but won’t run a spin cycle.

For safety reasons, washers are designed not to spin when the lid is open. A malfunctioning lid switch can trick the machine into thinking the lid is always open, preventing it from engaging the spin and drain cycles.

Here’s how to check and fix a faulty lid switch:

1. Unplug your washer to avoid the risk of electrocution.
2. Locate the lid switch. It’s usually under the top panel that sits directly under the lid. You’ll need to remove some screws to remove this panel. Refer to your user manual for exact instructions for your washer model.
3. Once located, inspect the lid switch for visible signs of damage and check if it makes a clicking sound when pressed. Finally, test the switch with a multimeter for continuity.
4. If the lid switch fails any of these checks, replace it with a new one.

2. The drain hose is clogged or kinked

Your dishwasher expels dirty used water through its drain hose, which links to your kitchen’s drainage system. When food scraps, oils, or other residues accumulate in this hose, they can create blockages that prevent efficient water drainage. Similarly, external obstructions to the hose, such as kinks or pinching, can lead to similar drainage problems.

Most washers will also stop spinning if they can’t drain as the machine detects the presence of water and prevents spinning to avoid damaging the appliance.

Here’s how to check and fix a blocked drain hose:

1. Find where the drain hose connects to the washer. It’s usually at the back of the appliance, though some washers may require you to remove a bottom kick panel.
2. Find where the drain hose connects to the sink drain or garbage disposal.
3. Fetch a container and some towels to catch any water that spills out.
4. Disconnect the drain hose from the washer and sink drain or garbage disposal.
5. Run water through the hose to see if it flows through unrestricted.
6. If the hose is clogged, use a long flexible brush to clear the blockages.
7. Once unclogged, reconnect the drain hose, ensuring there are no kinks and it’s not pinched between the washer and the wall.

3. The drain pump is damaged or clogged

If the drain hose wasn’t the cause of the drainage issue, the next most likely cause is a bad drain pump. The drain pump, as its name suggests, pumps the used water out of the washer into the drain hose. However, if it becomes clogged or damaged, it can fail to do this job.

As mentioned, most washers will also not spin if they can’t drain to protect the machine from damage. You may be able to unclog the drain pump to get it working again, but if it’s damaged, it will need replacing. Here’s how:

1. Unplug the washer.
2. Remove the back panel or front kick panel to gain access to the drain pump, depending on your washer model.
3. Grab a container and some towels to catch any water.
4. Disconnect the wires, drain hose, and tub to pump hose from the drain pump.
5. Unscrew or unclip the pump to remove it.
6. Inspect all areas of the pump for clogs and caught foreign objects, especially the impeller and where the hoses connect.
7. Inspect the drain pump for damage, such as cracks or a worn seal.
8. If the pump is clogged but undamaged, clean it and reinstall it in your washer.
9. If the drain pump is damaged, replace it with a new one.

4. There’s a power supply issue

If your washer is not receiving a steady supply of power, it may not drain or spin. To check that the wall outlet is functioning properly, plug another device into it to see if it works. Also, make sure the washer’s plug is fully inserted into the outlet and not partially.

You’ll also want to ensure the washer is plugged directly into the wall outlet and not into an extension cord. Finally, check that the circuit breaker for the washer has not tripped.

5. Too much detergent was used

If too much detergent is used, or the wrong type of detergent, such as non-HE detergent in an HE washer, the result can be excessive suds, which can prevent the washer from draining and may also cause it not to spin.

If you see excessive suds in the tub when you lift the lid, first remove any clothes that may be inside and then try adding a cup of white vinegar and running a drain and rinse cycle to remove the suds. If that doesn’t work, you can manually remove the suds using a sponge and bucket or other container.

In the future, always use the correct amount and type of detergent to prevent this issue from occurring again.