Amana Washing Machine: not spinning

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Amana washing machine is not spinning, it may fill and agitate but leave clothes wet at the end of the cycle. This issue can occur with or without unusual noises and may involve mid-cycle stops. Common causes include an unbalanced load, a faulty lid switch, or drainage problems. Understanding these factors can help you troubleshoot effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Amana Models

  • Amana washers include diagnostic modes and error codes that can help identify causes; check manual for entry procedure.
  • Some Amana guides recommend checking washer programming, spin speed selection and cycle settings, as incorrect choices may appear as no spin when low spin is selected.

Possible Causes

Unbalanced or uneven laundry load

How to Identify: Washer stops or hesitates in spin cycle; clothes clumped to one side; machine vibrates or rocks if not balanced. User can redistribute load and retry.

Part: Load distribution / drum sensors

Faulty lid switch / door lock

How to Identify: Top-loader won’t spin if lid lock doesn’t signal closed; front-loader won’t start spin if door lock fails. Can be tested with continuity test/multimeter.

Part: Lid switch or door lock assembly

Drive belt worn, stretched or broken

How to Identify: Drum doesn’t spin but motor may run; belt visible wear, cracks, slippage. Manual rotation of drum large resistance indicates belt issue.

Part: Drive belt

Drainage problem preventing spin

How to Identify: Washer doesn’t fully drain water; standing water visible; spin cycle skipped due to water present.

Part: Drain pump / hose

Control board or motor issues

How to Identify: No spin even after load distribution and basic fixes; error codes displayed; electrical diagnostics required.

Part: Control board, motor or motor coupling

DIY Solutions

Redistribute laundry and rebalance washer

Easy 5–10 minutes
  1. Stop the washer mid-cycle and open the drum.
  2. Remove or evenly spread clothes so laundry weight is balanced.
  3. Restart spin cycle to test if the washer now spins normally.
⚠️ Safety First: Do not open lid/door during spin if drum is rotating.

Check and adjust machine leveling

Easy 10–15 minutes
Tools Needed: Carpenter’s level, Wrench or pliers (for leveling feet)
  1. Place a level on the washer top to check if it’s level.
  2. Adjust the leveling feet up/down until washer is stable and level.
  3. Test with a short spin cycle to confirm improvement.

Inspect and replace lid switch/door lock

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: Screwdrivers, Multimeter
  1. Unplug washer and access lid switch (top-loader) or door lock (front-loader).
  2. Test switch for continuity with multimeter.
  3. Replace switch/lock assembly if faulty with compatible part.
  4. Reassemble and test washer spin cycle.
⚠️ Safety First: Disconnect power before servicing

Clear drain pump and hose blockages

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: Bucket, Towels, Screwdrivers
  1. Turn off and unplug washer.
  2. Access and remove drain hose and check for clogs.
  3. Remove debris from drain pump inlet and hose.
  4. Reassemble and test spin cycle.
⚠️ Safety First: Be prepared for water spillage

Professional Repairs

Drive belt replacement

Estimated Cost: $30 - $90 for part; $100 - $250 labor

Motor or control board repair/replacement

Estimated Cost: $150 - $600

Drain pump replacement

Estimated Cost: $50 - $200 for part; $150 - $300 labor

When to Call a Professional

No improvement after basic DIY fixes
Burning smell during operation
Unusual noises from motor area
Error codes persist after reset

Preventive Maintenance

  • Level the washing machine: Unbalanced loads and spin failure
    Frequency: Monthly
  • Avoid overloading and properly distribute clothes: Load imbalance related spin issues
    Frequency: Every load
  • Clean drain pumps and hoses: Drain blockages that can interrupt spin cycle
    Frequency: Every 3–6 months

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Amana Washing Machine not spinning?
Common causes include an unbalanced load, a faulty lid switch, or drainage issues.
How do I fix Amana Washing Machine not spinning myself?
Redistribute laundry, check machine leveling, or inspect the lid switch.
How much does it cost to fix not spinning?
Professional repairs can range from $30 to $600 depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for not spinning?
Call a technician if DIY fixes do not resolve the issue or if the problem is complex.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

33%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Professional

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Actuator malfunction (3 mentions)
  • Control board failure (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Replace actuator

    Success rate: 17.0%

  2. Replace control board

    Success rate: 17.0%
Analysis based on 4 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Amana NTW4516FW washer stopping on rinse cycle
  2. Amana washer not spinning/agitating - tried troubleshooting,...
  3. Amana washer stopping at the end of rinse cycle and just hum...
  4. I replaced the actuator on my Amana top load washer. It won'...

Community Discussions

stopping at the end of rinse cycle and just humming

Unplugging the washer for 10 minutes did not resolve the issue; control board was replaced under warranty.

Pro needed View on Reddit →

washer won't spin and stops mid cycle but fills and drains just fine

Replaced actuator but did not resolve the issue; ultimately replaced the washer.

Pro needed View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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