Why is my washing machine not spinning properly?

Washing machines are an essential appliance for any household. They provide a convenient and efficient way to clean clothes, saving time and effort in the process. It can be frustrating and inconvenient when your washing machine stops working, especially when it stops spinning. A variety of issues can result in your washing machine not spinning, from a broken belt to a faulty motor. Fortunately, many of these issues can be fixed relatively easily and inexpensively, without the need for professional assistance. In this article, we'll explore some of the most common causes of a washing machine that isn't spinning and provide step-by-step instructions on how to fix the problem.

There are several reasons why your washing machine may not be spinning properly. It is important to rectify the issue on your machine promptly as your appliance needs to spin its drum to mix, clean and extract water from your garments.

What causes a washing machine to not spin properly?

Washing machines not spinning properly is a common issue and usually means that the load in the washing machine is not evenly distributed. This can happen if you mix heavy garments, such as towels, with lighter items of clothing, like t-shirts. When this happens, it is not possible for the washing machine to achieve full speed. Equally, if your washing machine’s filter is blocked this can also stop your machine from spinning.

If you are still experiencing issues after following the instructions in our guide, please contact Beko’s Customer Service at 0333 207 9710 for assistance. We do not recommend that you try to repair the appliance yourself. Our expert support team will be more than happy to assist and organise technical assistance for you.

How to fix a washing machine that won’t spin?

Check that the door is closed properly

If your washing machine’s door is not properly closed, the cycle will be disrupted, potentially meaning the machine will not spin. To resolve this, check that the door is firmly shut and make sure that no items are caught/blocking the door. When closed properly, you should hear a locking sound.

Make sure the load is evenly distributed

Unevenly distributed laundry can cause your washing machine to not spin properly. It is important to resolve this quickly as unevenly distributed loads can damage to your washing machine. To prevent this from occurring, Beko washing machines will automatically try to re-distribute the load itself. While this can resolve this issue, the process does take time, so it is important to consider the types of items you are washing in each cycle.

Uneven loads occur when you mix heavy garments, such as towels, with lighter items of clothing, like t-shirts. When this happens, it is not possible for the washing machine to achieve full speed. To avoid unbalanced loads, wash more absorbent, heavy items, like blankets, with other larger items, such as towels.

On the other hand, if only a few items are washed it may not be possible for the washing machine to reach full speed. To resolve this, add more garments to subsequent cycles.

See if there’s water left in the drum

If your washing machine’s drain hose is bent or clogged it can stop your appliance from draining water, disrupting the spin cycle. To check the drain hose, follow these simple instructions:

Check the drain hose

Firstly, it is important to check that your drain hose is not extended past the maximum length quoted in the instruction book. You can find this information in your appliance manual. If you have misplaced yours, don't worry you can download your appliance manual.

When checking the drain hose, make sure the drain hose has not been crushed, kinked or twisted.

How to check the drain hose:

  1. Turn off the power supply to the washing machine and unplug it.
  2. Carefully pull the washing machine forward so you can access the drain hose.
  3. Ensure that the drain hose does not exceed the maximum length quoted in your instruction manual.
  4. Also, check that the drain hose has not been crushed, kinked or twisted or is blocked.
  5. If the drain hose seems fine, you will need to clean the drain pump filter to help the washing machine drain properly

Check the drain pump filter

If your washing machine’s filter is blocked it can stop your appliance from spinning. Follow the below instructions to unblock your filter pump. For additional information, please refer to your instruction manual.

How to unblock the drain pump filter:

  1. Locate the filter on the bottom right-hand side of the appliance.
  2. When you open the filter housing there may be a large amount of water. If your appliance has a drain tube, you can use this to reduce the amount of water in the drum.
  3. Place a container under the filter to collect the remaining water. Be sure to open the filter housing slowly to avoid too much water being released in one go.
  4. Once the water has stopped flowing out you can then remove the filter.
  5. Cleaning the filter can be done by rinsing it under the tap.
  6. Once finished, make sure you replace the filter properly.
  7. If this does not solve the problem, please find out our contact details by clicking here.

As aforementioned, if problems persist with your machine after following these instructions, please contact our expert customer service team by clicking here. Equally, if you need any replacement parts, they can be found here.

For more information about washing machine spin speed, check out our dedicated washing machine spin guide here.

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