LG Washing Machine: not spinning
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.
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
- Pause and open the washer.
- Redistribute clothes evenly around the drum to avoid heavy clusters.
- Ensure load size is appropriate (avoid overloading).
- Resume spin cycle.
Clean drain pump filter and check drain hose
- Unplug washer and turn off water.
- Locate front drain pump filter access panel.
- Place towel and bucket to catch water; open filter cover.
- Remove debris and clean filter.
- Check drain hose for kinks or clogs; clear as needed.
- Reassemble and test spin cycle.
Test/inspect door latch switch
- Unplug the washer.
- Access door latch assembly per model manual.
- Visually inspect latch for damage.
- Use multimeter to test continuity of door lock switch.
- Replace latch switch if faulty following manufacturer instructions.
Inspect drive belt for wear
- Unplug washer and move away from wall.
- Remove back panel to access drive belt.
- Inspect belt for cracks, fraying, or slack.
- Replace belt if damaged with correct OEM part.
- Reassemble and test spin cycle.
Next step
Choose the next step for not spinning
Confirm the diagnosis before ordering. An error code can identify the system involved, but it does not prove that a specific part has failed.
Most relevant component to inspect
Washer Motor Coupling
Transfers motor power to the washer transmission on models that use a direct-drive coupling.
- Typical part-only price
- $10 - $35
- DIY difficulty
- Medium
- Estimated time
- 45-90 mins
Where can I find the model number?
Check the rating label around the door, lid, frame, rear panel, or inside the appliance cabinet. Use the complete model number, including suffixes.
Verify the complete model and part number on the retailer's compatibility page before ordering.
Other parts options
Check related components first; use model search as a fallback.
Model-compatible Washing Machine parts
Enter the complete model number to browse compatible replacement parts. This is a model-based parts search, not a diagnosis that a specific component failed.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission from other qualifying purchases or service requests made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are based on repair relevance, not commission rate.
Optional routine care
Maintenance supplies
These products support cleaning or routine upkeep. They are separate from the possible repair components above and are not claimed to fix this error code or symptom.
Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets
Routine tub-cleaning supplies for residue and odor control. They do not repair a mechanical, drainage, or electronic fault.
Braided Washer Inlet Hoses
A maintenance replacement option for visibly worn external fill hoses. Verify thread size, length, and hot/cold connection requirements.
Washer Drain Hose Holder
Helps secure an external drain hose at the standpipe. It does not correct an internal pump or control fault.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Recommendations are based on routine-care relevance, not commission rate.
Professional Repairs
Replace motor or motor coupling
Replace control board or sensor modules
Replace suspension springs or leveling feet
When to Call a Professional
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?
How do I fix LG Washing Machine not spinning myself?
How much does it cost to fix not spinning?
When should I call a technician for not spinning?
References & Sources
Community Analytical Insights
Guidance from available sources; statistical claims are shown only for samples of at least 10 discussions
Common Issues Reported by Users
- Stator failure (2 mentions)
- Rotor or driveshaft issues (1 mentions)
User Suggested Solutions
-
Swapping the stator
-
Replacing the rotor and possibly the driveshaft
Limited-source guidance; percentages and success-rate claims are not shown
View
Sources
Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:
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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