Washing Machine Not Spinning: Common Causes and Fixes
A washing machine that washes but will not spin leaves your laundry soaked. The cause is often simple — here are the usual reasons, what you can check yourself, and what needs a technician.
Published 2026-06-07 · Van Biljoens Appliance Services & Air Conditioning
Need it sorted now? Van Biljoens offers washing machine repairs in Pretoria — assessed and quoted before any work begins.
Why a washing machine will not spin
A machine that fills, washes and drains but will not spin is one of the most common laundry faults. Sometimes it is the load itself; other times it is a worn part or an electrical fault that stops the drum reaching spin speed. It is worth ruling out the simple things before booking a repair.
Common causes
- ✓ An unbalanced or overloaded drum — most machines will not spin if the load is uneven or too big; they slow down to protect themselves.
- ✓ A drainage problem — many machines will not start the spin until they have drained, so a blocked filter or drain hose stops the spin.
- ✓ A worn drive belt — on belt-driven machines, a stretched or broken belt lets the motor turn without spinning the drum.
- ✓ A faulty door or lid lock — if the machine cannot confirm the door is locked, it will not spin for safety.
- ✓ Worn motor brushes or a motor fault — some motors use carbon brushes that wear over time.
- ✓ A control or pump fault — a faulty control board or drain pump can stop the spin cycle.
What you can safely check yourself
Start by redistributing or reducing the load and running a spin-only cycle — an uneven load is a surprisingly common cause. Check that the machine is draining: clean the filter (usually behind a small hatch at the front bottom, with a towel ready for spills) and make sure the drain hose is not kinked or pushed too far into the drain.
If it spins fine on a smaller, balanced load, the machine is likely healthy and the original load was the problem. If it still will not spin, it needs a closer look.
What needs a technician
A worn belt, a faulty door lock, motor brushes, the drain pump, or a control-board fault all need a technician with the right spares and test equipment. These are routine workshop repairs, but they involve dismantling the machine, which is best left to a professional.
How Van Biljoens repairs washing machines
Van Biljoens repairs washing machines — front loaders and top loaders — in our Pretoria workshop, and has done since 1956. Washing machines are brought in to the workshop by the customer (collection and delivery is reserved for domestic fridges and freezers).
A R300 assessment fee is paid upfront and covers inspection, testing and diagnosis; we then send a written quote, usually within 1 to 3 working days. If you accept, the R300 is deducted from the repair cost, and the work is backed by our 3 Month Repair Guarantee.
Ready to take the next step?
Van Biljoens has been supplying and servicing Pretoria since 1956. We are here to help.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't my washing machine spin even though it drains?
If it drains but will not spin, the common causes are an unbalanced or overloaded drum, a worn drive belt, a faulty door lock, worn motor brushes, or a control fault. Try a smaller, balanced load on a spin-only cycle first; if it still will not spin, it needs a technician.
Can a blocked filter stop the spin?
Yes. Many machines will not begin the spin until they have fully drained, so a blocked filter or a kinked drain hose can stop the spin even though the wash seems fine. Cleaning the filter is a safe first check.
Do you collect washing machines for repair?
Washing machines are brought in to our Pretoria workshop by the customer — collection and delivery is reserved for domestic fridges and freezers. We assess, quote and repair at the workshop.
Do you repair both front loaders and top loaders?
Yes. We repair both front-loader and top-loader domestic washing machines in our Pretoria workshop, backed by our 3 Month Repair Guarantee.