How To Fix It

Component

How To Fix It

Appliances
Samsung washing machine not spinning

Samsung Washer Not Spinning? 5 Things To Check

by

If you’re experiencing the issue of your Samsung washer not spinning, then this article can help you to determine possible solutions to get your machine back in action.

We will describe 5 most common reasons why washer is not spinning or why it won’t finish the spin cycle – and how to fix it.

There are two types of washing machines: top-load and front-load.

Though both types of washers share some similar problems, each type also has its own unique culprits related to no spin.

Samsung Washer not spinning – possible solutions

Suspension Worn Out

If your top loading Samsung washing machine getting  UE, UL or dC error code, it means there is an issue with the “Unbalanced Load”, so the washer drum is unable to spin.

This is sometimes caused when you have a large load in your washer that exceeds the limit.

But the most common issue is when the suspension, which supports the drum, needs to be adjusted or maybe even replaced.

When the suspension springs begin to wear out, they can no longer absorb the excessive vibration, and fail to stabilize the washing machine drum.

Shock Absorbers (Front Loading Machine Only)

There are 4 shock absorbers that hold the plastic drum, which help compensate for all the vibrations coming from the drum during the spin cycle.

Depending on how often washing machine been used, these shock absorbers can wear out and lose their effectiveness.

It’s easy to check whether they are worn out or not by pushing down on the drum by hand. When you quickly release it, the drum should set in the initial position immediately, without bouncing up and down.

Connect with an Appliance Repair Tech

Click here to use the chatbox to speak with one of our technicians.
No in-home service calls. No appointments.

Think of how shock absorbers work on a car. Without them, after driving over a bump, the car would continue to bounce up and down for several moments before smoothing out again. The same principle applies to a washer.

When Samsung washer shakes during the spin cycle, due to worn shock absorbers, it will vibrate much more severely and trigger a vibration sensor. This will tell the washer that something is wrong and stop the cycle.

After a moment or so, the washer will attempt to spin again. This process will either repeat indefinitely until the cycle is over, or it will shut off and give an error code on the display.

Samsung washer not spinning bad shocks
Shock Absorber

Drum Nut Loose

A top-load washer drum has a nut at the bottom, which keeps the drum in place.

Sometimes, the normal vibration over long periods of time can cause the nut to loosen. Once the nut loosens, your drum will start wobbling excessively, especially when the washer goes to its spin cycle.

Make sure the nut is tight enough to prevent excess wobbling.

Drain pump Failed

When the drain pump gets clogged or jammed, it’s unable to drain the water completely.

In this case, the washer will not go into the spin cycle. It will try to spin, but eventually, it will stop, and an error code will show up on the display.

Need a Part? Click HERE

Broken plastic bracket

This is the most common Samsung front-loading Washer VRT problem and is what usually causes the washer to get stuck during its spin cycle.

There is a bracket on the backside of the front-loading Samsung washer which holds the wiring harness to the drum.

When this bracket gets loose or broken, it can trigger the vibration sensor causing the machine timer to jump around. Sometimes it will add time (extending your spin cycle), and other times it will shorten the cycle.

Either way, this is bad news for your laundry load. Time on the spin cycle may jump back and forth many times. Eventually your washer will stop, but your clothes may still be soaking wet, negating the purpose of the spin cycle altogether.

You can fix it by zip-tying the bracket to the drum as is shown in the picture below.

zip-tied harness bracket
Samsung washer panel removed

Faulty door lock

Most Samsung washers have a door lock with a feedback feature. It’s a tiny switch inside the door lock.

When the door is physically closed, this switch is closed as well, providing feedback to the control board.

But when the door is closed and the feedback switch is not physically closed, then the control board is notified that the door is open, and it will not allow the washer to go into its spin cycle.

It will actually try to spin again and again, but eventually, it will stop completely, showing an error code on the display.

So, in this case, you just need a new door lock for your washing machine.

Note: We earn a small commission on some purchases, at no additional cost to you.

Related: Samsung Washer 3E Error Code Troubleshooting

Reader Comments (220)

  1. I have a Samsung WA50R5200AW top loading washer, which was purchased in the summer of 2019. Tonight the machine started stopping right before the spin cycle. For instance, if I run the normal cycle the washing machine turns on, the water comes and it does the wash perfectly fine, the water then drains out, and right before the spin cycle the machine makes a single beep and stops. It will say 16 minutes remaining and be stuck (it won’t spin at all). When I tap the start/pause button nothing happens and I can’t open the machine. I have to turn it off in order to open it. Do you know what is causing this? Is the door lock going bad or is it something else?

    Thank you.

  2. When the water finished inside I try to put the mashine on spinning but it turn a little beat and stop trying to drain water again it was on 10 minutes and back to 16 minutes and when I switched it off the on button off but the mashine is still on until I took the plug off

  3. My washing mashine model WA 13V9 top loader when I put my washing inside and put water doesn’t wash it drains water and stop making a beeping sound and draining water and stop continuously

  4. I have a Samsung front loader vrt fitted new belt error 3E2 but now cannot turn drum by hand fast like brakes and if I unplug motor 3 wire connector it goes nice free also motor spins fine no belt on but this resistance occurs with 240 mains unplugged ??? Capacitor maybe also after forcing drum to turn I touched the motor sprocket and it zapped me with static discharge thousands of volts ouch this worked until the old belt slipped and was changed now no test cycle works motor stutters no turning brakes on I guess

  5. I have a 2017 self cleaning Samsung top loader WA45N3050AW that when started is will rotate a small rotation and a large rotation (sensing load level) then just stops with the dial blinking and the was cycle blinking.

    So Far I have inspected the wiring under the dryer, Unplugging the connections and plugging them back in. No broke wires that I can tell.
    I was able to make the machine to cycle through the demo mode but it doesn’t cycle in wash or self clean mode past load sensing.

  6. Good evening Eugene,

    Unfortunately, my Samsung washer (WF42H5000AW) is not working anymore. The washing machine is now 2yrs old, usually I make 1-2 loads every week.

    What happened? From one day to another, when I start the washing program the drum is not spinning anymore. Instead, the drum at the beginning of the program is just shacking pretty fast a little bit to the left and right but not rotating the drum anymore.

    – In the diagnostic mode, the washing machine is not showing any error codes.

    – The spin test in the diagnostic mode is showing the same pattern, i.e. the drum is shacking a little but is not able to rotate anymore.

    – I also inspected if the drum itself, could not find any clothes or so behind/underneath causing an issue for the drum to rotate/spin.

    – With my hands I am able to spin/rotate the washing drum without feeling any resistance etc. I would say it rotates pretty smooth “manually”. The only thing from time to time I recognized is that there was a little sound; like a little clacking sound… I was not sure if it is just water or something else or if this is even normal.

    – I think I can rule out that it is related to the water drainage. Used a different program, water was flushing in and out of the machine. The program was working for a few minutes until the drum started to spin.

    -Also cleaned and drained the debris filter and emergency hose.

    Thank you!

    • Hi there, for me it sounds like a wiring issue. Check wires on the back of the washer for continuity from the motor and hall sensor to the control board. If you familiar with multimeter, you can check it. But, seems like one of the motor wires to the motor is broken and motor operates on 2 phases

      • Hi Smith
        I have a Samsung WD77o4c8c front load washing machine. Everything works except the drum it won’t spin at all. It just hits 19 minutes for cycle, doesn’t show an error code. I have to turn it off. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
        Ade

  7. Hello! I just have a quick question for you. I have a top loader samsung washing machine, and these past couple of weeks the loads have been going off balance. I would move the clothes around in the wash to make it more leveled, and after one or two more times of the error it would finally finish the wash. Well yesterday, I added only a few towels into the wash, it went through the wash cycle, all the way until it hit the spin cycle and then it would move around like it was going to be unleveled and then it would just start filling up with water. This happened so many times that I eventually had to stand by the washer, wait till the load had it’s unleveled spin, take out a couple of towels to be sure that it wasn’t because there was too many towels (there were three towels in the washer at this point) and put it into the dryer for 3 hours. I don’t know what would cause this…

  8. I have a red Samsung front load WF45N5300AF/US. We’ve had nothing but trouble since day one. It has leaked so many times from the bottom that my laundry room floor is ruined so I keep towels on the floor in case it decides to leak again. Now I keep get an SE error code. I’ve been trying to wash the same load (not a big load, just average, even a bit small for the size of the drum) of clothes for a week. I’ve done everything recommended (pulled out a huge wad of hair that I thought for sure would fix the problem. It will complete a full cycle on quick wash without any clothes in it. Put clothes in it and it still stops at the rinse or spin no matter which cycle I use. Sometimes it will rinse and stop at spin, sometimes it will only wash and stop at rinse, but it has yet to finish a load without an SE or 5E error code and that annoying beeping. I can hit start and it will show 12 minutes and start spinning, then that annoying beeping again and the same code. I power off, let it sit a few minutes and power back on and move to the rent and spin cycle, it will show 18 minutes and then within 1 to 2 minutes, it’s popping up the same SE error code again. The pipes are cleaned out, the filter is clean, no kinks or broken hoses, what else can I do for draining issues? Or could it be something else? I’m ready to throw this piece of junk in my yard, it’s been nothing but trouble since I bought it, and for that price, it should at least finish a small load of towels.
    There’s also a sour smell that makes me want to gag coming from inside the washer. I make sure to clean it once a week on the 4 hour cleaning cycle. Not sure how to get rid of that smell either. You are my last resort before I just take it to a dumpster and get a loan to finance another one. With a family of 6, the clothes are piling up more everyday. I’ve already spent $80 going to a washateria twice which is absurd when I paid the amount I did for this Samsung piece of junk. Please help!

  9. I have a samsung WF45H6300A Washer. When I try to start it, I hear the pump empting the remaining water, but then it Doesn’t move on to begin the wash cycle. I noticed that the Machine never locks the front door so I ordered a new door locking mechanism but that didn’t resolve the problem. No error codes it just sits there.

  11. I have a Samsung 4.5 cubic foot top loader washing machine. I put a load in clothes in and when I push start, the door locks but nothing happens. No code but the dial flashes. I have replaced the wiring harness and drain pump already. Any ideas as to why it won’t start?

  12. Hi
    I have a Hisense 16kg washing machine and it’s nit spinning after draining
    I have checked the door switch, pipes for clogging but still nothing. It’s also not giving any errors, any suggestions?

  13. Eugene – we have a 10 yr old Samsung WF330 front load washer. No error codes. The drum will not move at all during wash or spin cycle. Previously, we could move the drum by hand. But since this issue, it is very hard to move. Only will spin by hand maybe 5-6 inches then hits something and goes no further. Washer appears to drain fine so I think pump is fine. On the last wash when problem developed, could hear loud pops not normally heard. Balance is fine, springs all look good. With top off, we can see stator assembly (we think?) spinning but it never engages drum to spin. Drum only moves back n forth an inch or so during this. When back or top is removed, no obvious signs of broken parts, belts or harnesses.

  14. Hey Gene you are awesome passing on your experience and free advice thanks ever so much for being an amazing person… We have a top loader that won’t drive the drum. Solenoid and pump work ok but when it is wash rinse or spin cycle the motor just hills in both directions. No fault code ether…

    • I would lift front of the washer up and check motor, to make sure nothing caught between motor and washer tub. another reason why it may hum when one of the wires to the motor is broken. Direct drive motor operates on 3 phases. Motor will lose power and hum when one of the wires is broken and there is only 2 phases

  15. I have a front load Samsung WF409ANW/XAA that will not spin. No code errors, no blockage in drain, all for shock absorbers good, there is no plastic bracket on the back. I checked the front door lock and it is good, won’t open when in the spin mode. What next?
    Thank you!

  17. Hi,
    I have samsung wa45m7050aw a4 top load with similar issue, works fine during wash, but struggles with spin, ran test and first time it just sounded like grounding for 2 min then it took off at high speed, second time it just spun slowly a couple of times then stopped and repeated. Lots of vibration and motor was loud. Also had Ub error code. Any ideas? Thanks Eric

  18. Hi,

    I have a Samsung WA13F5S4UWA/FA, 13KG top loader. The motor does not start by its self. Through a process of elimination, I have now removed the motor, and have it wired outside the machine, when the machine send power t the motor, it humms. I turn the pulley by hand and then the motor runs fine, every time the machine tries to turn the motor on again, it humms, by turning it by hand gets it going again. I replaced the capacitor with a local 12uf, still just humms.

    Do you think the motor is faulty or do I need to buy an original samsung capacitor 11uf.

    Anything else you can think of

    Thanks
    Clint

  19. Thanks so much!!! I had the “Broken Plastic Bracket” issue.
    It’s unfortunate that it “is the most common Samsung front-loading Washer VRT problem and what causing washer gets stuck on spin cycle.”

    I zip tied it like your photo and have had a few successful loads so far.

    Thanks for the great idea!

  20. Thank you for the suggestion! Ive checked the 3 power cables to the motor and they are ok. No hall effect on the motor, I guess it is sensorless?
    Before checking the wires, after standing still for some time, it worked for a few min, so that strenghtens the loosened wire theory…

    • Every direct-drive motor have a hall sensor, it just can’t work without it. Look closely maybe you missed something. When measuring continuity on the wires, try to wiggle wires back and forth

      • Thanks, but it is not a direct drive, it is a belt drive. It still has digital inverter though, so I guess it is a bldc motor. The only possible sensor I can find is on the drum, but its cables goes to the front panel and not to the inverter/power electronics.

        But for some reason, the machine started working again. Before that, I noticed that the drain pump kept running even though the machine was drained, and I’m suspecting that some (faulty) sensor told the machine that there was still water left. And leaving the machine for a day, it seemed fine again. I guess the sensor dried. Does this sound reasonable to you?

        Let’s see for how long it lasts though:)

Comments are closed.

DMCA.com Protection Status