Lg Washing Machine: not spinning

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your LG washing machine fills and washes but fails to spin, your clothes may remain wet. This issue could stem from an unbalanced load, a faulty door lock, or a motor failure. Troubleshooting these common causes can help restore your machine's spinning capabilities.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Lg Models

  • Error codes displayed on LG washers often indicate specific underlying causes like motor, drain pump, or control board issues affecting spin.

Possible Causes

Unbalanced or overloaded laundry load

How to Identify: Cycle stops before spinning or shakes violently; heavy/tangled laundry on one side; error codes indicating imbalance.

Part: Load distribution/weight balance

Faulty door lock/lid switch

How to Identify: Machine won’t start spin or displays a door error code; door appears closed but latch not detected.

Part: Door lock switch

Motor or motor coupling failure

How to Identify: No drum rotation, unusual noises from motor area, motor may hum without turning drum.

Part: Motor assembly/motor coupling

Leveling/suspension issue causing safety cutoff

How to Identify: Washer rocks or vibrates excessively; may stop spin for safety.

Part: Suspension springs/feet leveling

DIY Solutions

Redistribute and balance laundry load

Easy 5–10 minutes
  1. Pause and open the washer.
  2. Redistribute clothes evenly around the drum to avoid heavy clusters.
  3. Ensure load size is appropriate (avoid overloading).
  4. Resume spin cycle.
⚠️ Safety First: Do not force the door open while machine is operating.

Clean drain pump filter and check drain hose

Moderate 15–30 minutes
Tools Needed: Towel, bucket, flat‑head screwdriver
  1. Unplug washer and turn off water.
  2. Locate front drain pump filter access panel.
  3. Place towel and bucket to catch water; open filter cover.
  4. Remove debris and clean filter.
  5. Check drain hose for kinks or clogs; clear as needed.
  6. Reassemble and test spin cycle.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is disconnected before accessing pump area; water may spill.

Test/inspect door latch switch

Moderate 20–40 minutes
Tools Needed: Screwdriver, multimeter
  1. Unplug the washer.
  2. Access door latch assembly per model manual.
  3. Visually inspect latch for damage.
  4. Use multimeter to test continuity of door lock switch.
  5. Replace latch switch if faulty following manufacturer instructions.
⚠️ Safety First: Disconnect power before testing electrical components.

Inspect drive belt for wear

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: Screwdrivers, wrench set
  1. Unplug washer and move away from wall.
  2. Remove back panel to access drive belt.
  3. Inspect belt for cracks, fraying, or slack.
  4. Replace belt if damaged with correct OEM part.
  5. Reassemble and test spin cycle.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure belt tension is correct and match OEM specifications.

Professional Repairs

Replace motor or motor coupling

Estimated Cost: $150–$350

Replace control board or sensor modules

Estimated Cost: $200–$450

Replace suspension springs or leveling feet

Estimated Cost: $100–$250

When to Call a Professional

Spin cycle fails repeatedly after basic troubleshooting
Unusual noises from motor area
Error codes indicating internal faults
Visible electrical or mechanical component failure

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean drain pump filter: Drain clogs leading to spin cancellation
    Frequency: monthly
  • Level washer and adjust feet: Balance related spin issues
    Frequency: once after installation or relocation
  • Avoid overloading: Unbalanced loads that stop spin cycle
    Frequency: Every load

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my LG Washing Machine not spinning?
Common causes include an unbalanced load, a faulty door lock, or motor issues.
How do I fix LG Washing Machine not spinning myself?
Redistribute the load, clean the drain filter, or inspect the door latch.
How much does it cost to fix not spinning?
Professional repairs range from $100 to $450 depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for not spinning?
Call a technician if DIY solutions fail 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?

75%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Stator failure (2 mentions)
  • Rotor or driveshaft issues (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Swapping the stator

    Success rate: 14.0%
  2. Replacing the rotor and possibly the driveshaft

    Success rate: 14.0%
Analysis based on 4 community discussions
View Sources

Community Discussions

spin-only cycle not an option

To activate the spin-only cycle, turn on the machine, press the spin button once, and then press start without touching the dial.

error LE, drum moves 5 degrees and stops

Swapping the stator fixed the issue.

tub wasn't spinning and it was making a grinding noise

Replace the rotor and possibly the driveshaft if stripped.

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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