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It sucks to have your home appliances break down on you, especially when you need them the most; trust me, I get it. Appliances like the whirlpool washers tend to break down when they haven’t been maintained in a while.Â
Troubleshooting a Whirlpool washer is no different from troubleshooting other washers. Whenever a washer agitates but won’t spin, in my experience as an HVAC specialist, it is mostly either a clog problem or a faulty drainage system. Sometimes it can even be as simple as an overload or unevenly positioned washer.Â
In this article, I will provide a step-by-step guide on how you can troubleshoot your Whirlpool washer not spinning.Â
Let’s get started!Â
Bottom Line Up Front
Before you draw any conclusions about the situation, ensure you haven’t overloaded the washer with clothes, that the power source isn’t faulty, the water hoses aren’t kinked, and your washer is positioned evenly. If all of these check out, you need to go deeper with the troubleshooting.
When troubleshooting your Whirlpool washer, you have to keep an open mind. The problem might not be as serious as you think, and remember, you can always contact a technician for assistance.Â
How does the Whirlpool Washer work?
Before troubleshooting, I find it very important to learn and understand how your washer functions. Not only will it help you trace and resolve the problems quickly, but you will also understand why the problem happened, what led to it, and how to prevent it from happening again.Â
Here’s a step-by-step guide on your Whirlpool washer’s sequence of operation:
- Step 1:Â Once you have selected the washing cycle, water temperature, and spin speed, and press the Start button, the Washer will begin filling up with water.
- Step 2:Â The next step is the washing stage, where the clothes are agitated to remove any dirt or stains.
- Step 3:Â After the washing stage is complete, the Washer will enter the rinse cycle. During this cycle, fresh water is added to the tub, and the clothes are agitated again. This helps to remove any soap residue from the clothing.
- Step 4: Finally, the spin cycle will begin. This is where the clothes are spun at high speed to remove any excess water.Â
- Step 5:Â Once the spin cycle is finished, your laundry will be clean and ready to be put in the dryer!
Why Your Whirlpool Washer Agitates but Won’t Spin?
There are several reasons your Whirlpool washer agitates but won’t spin; here are the possible causes and how to fix them:
Problem 1 – Overloading the Washer
The washer requires enough room for the clothes to be cycled. Water and detergent can’t circulate adequately if the washer is overloaded. It will put the washing machine under too much strain, which causes occasional failure.
Every piece of clothing is cleaned properly while the washer is agitating. Even though your washer may agitate when it’s overloaded, nothing will be thoroughly cleaned. Even worse, it can result in leakage since; it won’t effectively drain the water.
How to fix:
If your Washer has produced a noise alerting you that you’ve overloaded it, you should manually check it.Â
- First, remove the Washer’s plug from the power source.Â
- Now, lift the lid and have a look inside.Â
- The simplest way to check if you’ve overloaded the washer is to stick your palm inside of it. If your hand cannot fit, you have put on too many clothes.
- The only alternative is to remove some soaked garments.Â
- The machine must be restarted after any buttons or hooks become stuck in the rotating belt.
- Now, try washing again.
Problem 2 – Broken Power Source
If your Whirlpool washer is not spinning even after it has gone through the agitation cycle, there may also be a problem with the power source.Â
How to fix
- Check to ensure that the Washer is plugged in correctly and that the circuit breaker has not tripped.Â
- If everything looks in order with the power source, you may need to call a professional for further assistance.
Problem 3 – Kinked Hose
A kinked hose might sound funny, but yes, it is a possible cause. It can potentially prevent water flow to and from the washer, and when there is not enough or no water flow, the washer will not spin correctly or at all. Â
How to Fix
- It is simple, pull out the washer for proper inspection.Â
- Carefully check to see if any water hose is tangled.
- If you find any kinks, untangle them.Â
Problem 4 – Unbalanced Washer
Your washer will not spin properly if it is positioned unevenly. This is because when a washer is tilted, the rest of the components, including the agitator and tub, tilt with it, making it difficult to spin correctly because they must be positioned in the center to function properly. The most common way to know your washer is tilted is if you hear some funny sounds while it spins.Â
How to fix
- Look to see if your washer is unbalanced with a leveler.Â
- If it is, then make sure you position it evenly or use shims under the feet to balance it.Â
Problem 5 – Damaged Drive Belt
When a Whirlpool washing machine’s drive belt rips, the washer is incapable of spinning. In the top loader machine, the belt is attached to the transmitter. While in front loaders, it is connected to the engine.
A broken belt, in either case, prevents the washer from spinning. It could have simply broken away from the pulley holding it together on occasion. Or the drive belt’s flexibility may have deteriorated over time due to wear and aging. Either way, the best aspect of damaged drive belts is that they are simple to repair.
How to fix
- To find the source of the issue foremost, examine the drive belt.
- Based on the machine you’re using, you might need to invert the washer, remove the control panel or drum, or both to get to the belt.
- Now, determine whether the belt adheres to the pulley.
- If the drive belt isn’t in the right spot (on the pulley), you’ll need to replace it.
Tip:Â When purchasing a new belt, use a Whirlpool drive belt. Verify that the drive belt is compatible with the washer model.
How Often Should You Replace the Belt on Your Whirlpool Washing Machine?
If you have a Whirlpool washing machine, you might wonder how often you need to replace the belt. The answer depends on a few factors, but you should generally plan on replacing the belt every three to five years.Â
Of course, if you notice that the belt is showing signs of wear and tear before that time frame, it’s always best to replace it sooner rather than later. Remember that a worn or damaged belt can cause your washing machine to operate less efficiently, so it’s essential to keep an eye on it and replace it as needed.Â
Problem 6 – Faulty Door Latch
The Whirlpool washers prevent the washing cycle from starting if the door is not secured. It pauses to avoid the overflowing of water. You will experience this if the Washer is too old and the lock has malfunctioned, if there is a short circuit, or if the door lock is damaged.
How to fix:
The only option is to change the door lock:
- Remove the screws from the lid, and open it.
- Remove the wire connection while keeping the door lock assembly in place.
- Remove the door latch carefully.Â
- Replace the broken door latch with the new one.
- Reconnect the wiring.Â
- Secure the door lock assembly with the screws.
- Mount the lid’s screws.
Problem 7 – Wrong Power Connection
Connecting your washer to an extension cord is a potential culprit. This is because, in most cases, there is no guarantee the extension has enough capacity to carry the washer’s heavy-duty power cord.
How to fix
- If your washer is connected to an extension cord, unplug it.
- Connect your washer directly to an outlet.
Problem 8 – Faulty Drainage System
When doing laundry, buttons, coins, garment clips, or keys may enter the Whirlpool washer’s drainage system. If these pieces become stuck in the hose, they will start spinning. And yes! clogged drainage might stop the Washer from spinning, as strange as it may sound.
How to fix
The better option to fix this problem is to call a technician.Â
But here is the process:
- You must first relocate the washer and gain access to the drain pump.Â
- You might need to remove the washer’s back.Â
- When you get to the drain pump, empty the lodge that stops it from spinning.
Problem 9 – Wrong Water Level
Incorrect water levels can also cause your Whirlpool washer to agitate but not spin. When the water level is too high, the washer will not be able to spin fast enough to remove all of the water, so the cycle will be stopped and restarted.
How to fix
To fix this:
- Adjust the water level setting to a lower setting.
Tips on How to Get the Most Out of Your Whirlpool Washer
- Lift the lid and remove any large items from the wash basket before starting a load.
- Select the appropriate cycle and water level.
- Start with a ‘full load of clean clothes, and do not overload your Washer.
- Do not use too much fabric softener or bleach.
- Use cold water for regular clothes and slightly hot water for dirty clothes.
- If your washer is leaking, try to set the water level lower. If the leak persists, the rubber seal has likely deteriorated.
- It is necessary to use a detergent for each type of fabric, such as cotton, wool, silk, etc. So, removing stains can be effective, and clothing can last longer.
Whirlpool Washer Agitates But Won’t Spin Troubleshooting: FAQs
Question: Why is my washing machine making strange noises?
Answer:Â If your washing machine makes strange noises, it could be due to several factors. One possibility is that something has become entangled in the pump. Another possibility is that the bearings have deteriorated. If you hear unusual noises from your machine, we recommend contacting a qualified technician for further analysis.
Question: Why is my washing machine leaving spots on my clothes?
Answer:Â There are several reasons why your washing machine might leave spots on your clothes. One possible explanation is that the water supply is not properly filtered. Another possibility is that the detergent dispenser is malfunctioning. I recommend checking these two things if you first notice spots on your clothes.
Question: What should I do if my washing machine overflows?
Answer:Â If your washing machine overflows, you should first turn off the machine’s water supply. Once the water has been turned off, you can begin cleaning up the mess. To avoid future overflows, thoroughly clean the machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Question: What could be causing my washing machine to smell bad?
Answer:Â If your washing machine smells bad, it could be due to mildew or mold growth. This can happen if the machine isn’t cleaned properly regularly. If you notice a bad odor, thoroughly clean the machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Final Thoughts
Though it may seem daunting, troubleshooting your appliances is reasonably straightforward. The first thing to look at when you encounter this problem is overload. Make sure you do not have too many clothes in the washer. This might seem minor, but an overloaded washer will have difficulties with actually spinning, even if it agitates. If you have passed this first stage and confirmed that it is not the problem, it is time to dig a little deeper.Â
I like to start with the washer’s driver belt because it is responsible for movement. If the drive belt has not been changed in a while, it gets weak and then breaks eventually. There is also the drainage system and the door latch. If anything happens to either of these components, your washer will have difficulties spinning.
I have included some instructions to help you troubleshoot your Whirlpool washer. Remember, it is perfectly okay to consult a technician for help, especially if you have tried all these solutions and none worked. Â