The essentials in 30 seconds
First see where it stops. If the water has drained but the clothes are wet, the cause is usually the load or the cycle: an unbalanced or overloaded drum makes the machine stop or slow the spin to avoid damage (Whirlpool, Bosch, Miele), and gentle, delicate or handwash cycles spin slowly by design. Redistribute the load, mix large and small items, close zips and buttons, and run the spin again. If water is still in the drum, the machine cannot spin until it drains: check for excess suds, a kinked or blocked drain hose, a standpipe that is too high and a blocked drain pump. Also check that the door or lid is fully closed and that the machine stands level. If none of that works, the cause may be the motor, belt, control board or drum: that is a job for a technician.
- Measure detergent: too many suds can stop the pump and the spin.
- A machine that is not level can cause imbalance, Miele warns.
- Unplug the machine before checking the hose or the pump.
Washing machine not spinning: identify the cycle stage
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Water drained, clothes still wet | Unbalanced or overloaded load; slow-spin cycle | Redistribute or reduce the load; restart the spin; choose a cycle with a higher spin speed |
| Spin starts, stops and restarts; long cycle | Machine trying to rebalance the load | Wash large and small items together; close zips and buttons |
| Water left in the drum, no spin | Drain blocked: suds, hose, standpipe or pump | Check the drain path; see our drain pump guide |
| Nothing happens at spin; door or lid open | Door or lid not latched | Close it fully; check the latch |
| Motor runs or noise, drum still does not turn | Possible drive, motor or mechanical fault | Stop and call a technician |
| Spins poorly on every load | Machine not level; delivery head too high | Level the machine; check the drain height |
Unbalanced and overloaded drums
Bosch calls an unbalanced load one of the most common causes of a washing machine not spinning: if the imbalance is too large, the spin will not run or will slow down to protect the appliance, and the machine makes several spin attempts to redistribute the laundry, which lengthens the programme. Miele explains that when individual items cannot be spread evenly in the drum, the machine reduces the final spin speed automatically. The fix: mix large and small items, close zips and buttons on duvet covers and pillowcases, rearrange the wet laundry and run the spin again. Whirlpool adds that an overloaded machine can also stop spinning: reduce the load size. On top loaders with an agitator, Bosch suggests checking that no item is stuck under the agitator.
Slow spin by design and too many suds
Gentle, delicate and handwash cycles use slow spins to stop fabrics stretching and wrinkling, so they leave more water in the load, Whirlpool notes. To remove more water, choose a cycle with a higher spin speed, such as heavy duty, if the care labels allow it. Too much detergent creates excess suds, which can stop the washer pumping out water and spinning. Measure detergent and follow the detergent maker's directions.
When the water does not drain either
A washing machine will not spin while water is still in the drum. Whirlpool's checks: make sure the drain hose is not kinked or clogged and clear any blockage in the hose, the drainpipe (standpipe) or the utility sink; and check the standpipe height, between 30 inches (76 cm) minimum and 96 inches (244 cm) maximum for its washers. Miele says the delivery head for its machines must not exceed 1 m (3 ft 3 in). Bosch also asks you to check the siphon connection and to clean the pump: its impeller must be able to turn freely. For the hose, see our drain hose guide; for the pump and its filter, our drain pump guide.
Why the machine must be level
Miele warns that even slight slopes can cause imbalance and reduced spinning. Check the machine with a spirit level, front to back and side to side, and adjust the feet as your manual describes. A machine that walks or shakes violently during the spin also needs checking: see our guide to anti-vibration pads and levelling.
When the fault is inside the machine
If the load, the cycle, the door and the drain are all fine and the drum still does not spin, Bosch says the cause may be a broken drum, a damaged motor, a malfunctioning control board or a worn drive belt: these need a technician who can diagnose the mechanical or electrical fault. The same applies if the motor runs but the drum does not turn, or if the machine shows an error code your manual does not explain. Note the model number before calling.
Washing machine not spinning: frequently asked questions
Why is my washing machine not spinning?
Most often because the load is unbalanced or too big, the cycle uses a slow spin, there are too many suds, or the water is not draining.
Why does my washing machine drain but not spin?
Usually an unbalanced load: the machine reduces or skips the spin to protect itself. Redistribute the laundry and run the spin again. If it persists, call a technician.
Why is my washing machine not spinning or draining?
The drain path is blocked or restricted: check for a kinked hose, a blocked standpipe or a blocked pump, and too many suds.
Why are my clothes still wet after washing?
A gentle cycle with a slow spin, an unbalanced load or excess suds. Choose a higher spin speed if the care labels allow it.
Can a washing machine not spin because it is not level?
Yes. Miele warns that even slight slopes can cause imbalance and reduce the spin speed.
When should I call a technician?
When the load, cycle, door and drain are fine but the drum still does not spin, or the motor runs and the drum does not turn.
Sources
Manufacturer guidance, checked on 2 November 2026 (02/11/2026).
- Whirlpool · Washer not draining or spinning? Troubleshooting guide ↗Door or lid switch; unbalanced or overloaded load stops the spin to avoid damage; gentle cycles spin slowly and leave more water; excess suds stop pumping and spinning; drain hose kinks or clogs; standpipe 30 to 96 inches; pump filter on some front loaders.
- Bosch · Washing machine not spinning ↗Clothing stuck under the agitator; blocked or kinked drainage hose with programme off and plug pulled, hot water scald warning, siphon spigot; blocked pump, impeller must turn; unbalanced load one of the most common causes, spin skipped or slowed, several attempts; large and small items, zips and buttons; broken drum, damaged motor, control board or drive belt for a technician.
- Miele · Washing machine not spinning correctly ↗Imbalance detected in the final spin reduces speed; large and small items; start the spin again; machine must be perfectly level, slight slopes cause imbalance; delivery head no more than 3 ft 3 in (1 m). Read in the browser.
Drum still not turning?
Unplug the machine and call an appliance technician with the model number: motor, belt and control board faults are not DIY jobs.