Amana Washer won't drain or spin

Common reasons your Amana Washer won't drain or spin

The most common reasons your Amana washer won’t drain or spin include a broken suspension rod, faulty actuator and bad gearcase.

  • 49%

    49% of the time it's the
    Suspension Rod

  • 27%

    27% of the time it's the
    Actuator

  • 14%

    14% of the time it's the
    Gearcase

  • 10%

    10% of the time it's the
    Something else

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Most common repairs needed to fix a Amana washer

Suspension Rod Replacement

Suspension rods in a top-load Amana washer hold the washer tub in place and stabilize the tub as the spin basket spins in the drain and spin mode. When a suspension rod is worn or broken, the washer tub will move around too much and the control will detect the instability and shut down the drain and spin cycle. A technician will examine the suspension rods in your Amana washer and replace the rods if one or more is worn or broken.

Actuator Replacement

The actuator (also called a shifter assembly) in an Amana washer shifts the gearcase into the spin mode during the wash cycle. The electronic control board senses the position of the actuator and will stop the washer when the control senses that the actuator is not shifting the gearcase into the position to spin the basket. When your Amana washer won’t drain or spin, a faulty actuator could be causing the problem. Schedule washer repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician check the actuator and replace it if it’s broken.

Gearcase Replacement

The gearcase in an Amana washer rotates the spin basket to spin water out of the clothes. A broken gearcase won’t move the spin basket in the spin mode of the wash cycle so the clothes will remain wet at the end of the cycle. When the gearcase locks up and won’t spin the basket in your washer, schedule washer repair service to have a service technician examine the washing machine and replace the gearcase if it’s defective or locked up.

What to expect when you experience an Amana washer that won’t drain or spin

How do you fix an Amana washer that won’t drain or spin?

Fixing most Amana washer drain or spin problems usually involves replacing the suspension rods, actuator or gearcase. However, there are many other potential causes including:

  • Clogged drain system.
  • Failed drain pump.
  • Bad drive motor.
  • Broken drive belt.
  • Worn tub bearing.

Follow the troubleshooting tips in the owner’s manual for your Amana washer when it won’t drain or spin. If the basic troubleshooting tips in the manual don’t help you fix the drain and spin failure, schedule washer repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and fix the washer.

What are the main causes of drain failures in Amana washers?

When your Amana washer won’t drain, one of the main causes is a clogged washer drain. Check to see if water flows freely through the house washer drain. If not, clear the drain using a plumber’s snake or have a plumber fix the drain.

If the house washer drain is clear, a clogged drain hose could be preventing your Amana washer from draining. Use a wet/dry shop vacuum to suck out lint and debris (along with water from the washer tub).

If the washer drain hose is clear, the drain pump in your washer may have failed. Have a service technician examine and repair the washer if you’re unable to resolve the draining problem yourself.

What to expect when having an Amana washer drain or spin problem fixed

When your Amana washer won’t drain or spin, a technician will look for the cause of the drain problem first. Sometimes, fixing the drain problem will also resolve the spin failure at the same time. The technician will examine the house drain for the washer, the drain hose, drain pump, electronic control board and wiring for problems. Diagnostic tests on these components will help the technician find the cause of the draining failure in the washer. After resolving the drain issue, the technician will test the washer and resolve the spinning problem as well.

If your Amana washer neither drains nor spins, you’re left with soaked clothes after each cycle. Defective pumps, clogged hoses, or sensor errors typically cause this double trouble. Instead of wrestling heavy, wet laundry, consider a washing machine appliance repair. Restoring these key functions brings efficiency back to your wash day.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why won’t my Amana washer drain or spin?
A clogged drain hose, defective drain pump, or broken lid switch can stop both draining and spinning. Checking these components often reveals the problem.
How do I unclog a drain hose on an Amana washer?
Unplug the unit, detach the hose from the back, and use running water or a brush to remove blockages. Reattach securely and test the machine.
Does a faulty lid switch affect both draining and spinning?
Yes. If the washer thinks the lid is open, it won’t proceed to drain or spin cycles. Inspect and test the switch with a multimeter.
When is professional service needed for a washer that won’t drain or spin?
If clearing hoses and verifying the lid switch doesn’t solve the issue, the pump or motor could be malfunctioning. A technician can diagnose and repair internal components.

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Glossary Terms

Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.

A washing machine pedestal is a platform that raises the washer off the ground, providing easier access to the appliances and often includes additional storage space such as drawers.

A washer tub is the interior part of a washing machine where clothes are placed for washing, typically made of stainless steel, plastic, or porcelain-coated metal, designed to hold water and withstand the agitation or spinning during the wash cycle.

Fabric softener is a laundry additive used to soften and freshen clothing, reduce static cling, and make fabrics feel smoother.