Kenmore washer not spinning

What to expect when you experience a Kenmore washer not spinning issue

How is the not spinning problem fixed?

Correcting most not spinning problems usually involves replacing the electronic control board, motor or door lock assembly. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

Sears Home Services recommendations for a washer that is not spinning

When the washer is not spinning it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of washer failures.

What to look out for with a washer not spinning diagnosis

Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your washer problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

How to Troubleshoot a Kenmore Series 90 Washer Not Spinning

When your Kenmore Series 90 washer is not spinning, one of these issues could be causing the problem:

• Broken lid switch.
• Defective control timer.
• Faulty drive motor.
• Broken motor coupler.
• Damaged gearcase.
• Clogged drain system.
• Wiring failure.

Check to see if the washer tub is full of water. If it is, check the house drain for the washer. If the house drain for the washer is clogged, use a plumber’s snake to clear the clog or have a plumber fix that problem.

If the house washer drain is clear, check the drain hose for a clog. Use a wet/dry shop vacuum to suck lint and debris out of the drain hose if it’s clogged.

Another issue that will prevent a Kenmore Series 90 washer from spinning is a problem with the lid switch. Make sure the washer lid is fully shut. Check the lid strike for damage and replace it if it’s broken. If the lid strike is okay, a failed lid switch may be preventing your washing machine from spinning.

If these basic troubleshooting tips don’t help resolve the problem with your Kenmore Series 90 washer not spinning, you’ll likely need to have a service technician diagnose and repair the problem. Schedule washer repair service now to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and fix the washing machine.

What to do When Your Kenmore Washer Spin Cycle is Not Working

If your Kenmore washer has an electronic control and a digital display, look for an error code or fault code flashing on the control panel. Some Kenmore washing machines will blink lights on the control to indicate that the electronic control board detects a component failure. Look up the code in the owner’s manual or on error code charts on our Sears PartsDirect website and follow the troubleshooting steps associated with the error code or fault code.

Sometimes, an unbalanced load will prevent the spin cycle from working. If you find clothes inside the washer tangled and clumped together in a big ball, separate and loosely distribute the garments around the spin basket and restart the cycle or run a Drain & Spin cycle to spin water out of the clothes.

If the washer tub still has water in it, then a drain problem may have kept your Kenmore washer spin cycle from working. Check the house drain for the washer and clear that drain using a plumber’s snake or have a plumber clear the clogged washer drain. If the washer drain is clear, check the drain hose for a clog of lint or debris. Use a wet/dry shop vacuum to suck lint and debris out of the drain hose. If you clear a clog out of the drain hose, the vacuum will also suck the water out of the washer.

After clearing water out of the washer, you may be able to spin the clothes dry using a Drain & Spin cycle.

When these basic trouble shooting steps won’t help resolve the problem with your Kenmore washer spin cycle not working, you’ll likely need to schedule washer repair service. We’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to quickly get your washing machine spinning again.

Kenmore Washer 80 Series Won’t Spin Troubleshooting

A Kenmore washer 80 Series that won’t spin or agitate and drains water from the tub could have a broken motor coupler if you hear a loud buzzing noise when the washer drive motor is running. The motor coupler is a flexible plastic and rubber components that connects the motor drive shaft to the gearcase below the washer tub. This motor coupler is designed to snap or break if the gearcase locks up or the gearcase isn’t able to spin the washer basket. This design helps prevent damage to the drive motor when a problem occurs preventing the spin basket from rotating.

A bad gearcase, overloading the washer or a drain problem leaving the tub full of water can cause the motor coupler to break. If you suspect a broken motor coupler is preventing your Kenmore Series 80 washer from spinning, schedule service to have a Sears Home Services technician replace the motor coupler. The technician will advise you on what likely caused the failure.

Going forward, make sure that you don’t overload the washer. That will put strain on the motor coupler and eventually cause it to break. Also, maintain the washer regularly to keep it in top shape and draining properly. Schedule annual professional maintenance by a Sears Home Services technician to keep your Kenmore 80 Series washer working efficiently and lasting longer.

Fixing a Kenmore HE Washer Not Spinning

Kenmore HE washers have an electronic control board to help the machine work efficiently. This electronic control will detect problems and component failures in the washer. When your Kenmore HE washer is not spinning, you’ll likely see an error code in the digital display on the control panel or lights will blink in a pattern to signal an error code. The error code will point you toward the cause of the spinning failure.

You may see the excessive suds error code if you see foam surrounding the garments inside the washer when it won’t spin. To resolve this problem, pour a half cup of white vinegar into the tub and move the clothes around to help mix the vinegar with the sudsy water. Wait about 15 minutes and then run a Spin & Drain cycle to drain the water and spin the clothes. Next, run a new wash cycle with no detergent added to rinse out detergent and vinegar from the clothes.

If you see the error code for an unbalanced load and find the garments inside the washer tangled and clumped together in a ball, separate the garments and loosely distribute them around the spin basket inside the washer. Run a Drain & Spin cycle to spin the clothes dryer.

If these basic troubleshooting tips don’t help your resolve a problem with your Kenmore HE washer not spinning, schedule washer repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to diagnose and repair the washing machine.

What are the Possible Causes When a Kenmore Top Load Washer Will Not Spin?

Although some older models with a direct-drive system exist, many Kenmore top load washers use a belt drive system to spin the washer. The drive belt connects the motor drive shaft spindle to a gearcase below the washer tub. That gearcase uses a shifter to control agitation and spinning routines during the wash cycle.

When your Kenmore top load washer will not spin, the possible causes include:

• Failed shifter assembly on the gearcase.
• Worn or broken drive belt.
• Bad drive motor.
• Defective electronic control board.
• Wiring failure.
• Bad gearcase.
• Unbalanced load.
• Drain problem.

Out of all of these numerous causes for your Kenmore top load washer not spinning, an unbalanced load is the easiest one to resolve on your own. Check to see if the load is tangled and clumped into a huge ball inside the washer. If it is, untangle and separate the clothes. Redistribute the garments loosely and evenly inside the spin basket and run a Drain & Spin cycle to spin out the load.

Other problems preventing the washing machine from spinning will typically cause the control panel to display an error code. When the washer has a digital display, the error code will appear in that digital display. A Kenmore top load washer without a digital display will flash lights in a pattern on the control panel to signal an error code. Look up the code on our Kenmore washer error code charts on the Sears PartsDirect website and follow the troubleshooting tips to fix the problem if you can.

If you’re unable to resolve the problem yourself when your Kenmore top load washer will not spin, schedule washer repair service and we’ll send a technician to your home to fix the washing machine.

What To Do When Your Kenmore Washer Doesn’t Spin

Follow these troubleshooting steps when your Kenmore washer doesn’t spin:

• Check for an unbalanced load: Open the door or lid and see if the garments are tangles and clumped in a big ball. The washer won’t be able to balance the clothes and spin the load if they’re tangle together in a huge wad. Separate the garments and redistribute them evenly in the spin basket and then run a Drain & Spin cycle to spin out the clothes.
• Look for water inside the tub: A drain problem can the issue when your Kenmore washer doesn’t spin. Check the house drain for the washer and clear that drain if necessary. Check the washer drain hose. Clear lint and debris from the drain hose using a wet/dry shop vacuum if you find a clog. You can also drain water out of the washer using the wet/dry shop vac. Run and Drain & Spin cycle after sucking water out of the tub. Schedule washer service if the washer continues to drain problems and doesn’t spin.
• Check the display for an error code: When a Kenmore washer doesn’t spin, the electronic control will often display an error code on the control panel. On a model with a digital display, the code will appear and letters and/or numbers in that digital display. Models without a digital display will blink control lights in a pattern to signal the cause of the failure. Look up the error code on the Kenmore washer error code charts on Sears Parts Direct and follow the troubleshooting tips to resolve the problem. If you’re unable to resolve the problem on you own, schedule washer repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the problem.
• Reset the electronic control board: Sometimes, a power surge through the electrical supply lines going to your home will lock up or freezer the electronic control board. Resetting the control board may cure that problem. Unplug the washer for 2 minutes to completely disconnect electrical power. Plug the washer power cord back in to restore power and reboot the electronic control board. If the washer begins working again, run a Drain & Spin cycle to spin out the clothes.

If these troubleshooting tips don’t help you resolve the problem when your Kenmore washer doesn’t spin, schedule washer repair service through Sears Home Services and we’ll send a service technician to your home to fix the washing machine.

Kenmore 110 Washer Not Spinning Troubleshooting

If your Kenmore 110 top-load washer is older than 15 years, it will be a Direct-Drive washer while any Kenmore 110 washer purchased after 2011 is likely a VMW (Vertical Module Washer) model. Troubleshooting for your Kenmore 110 washer not spinning differs depending on the type of model that you have.

Troubleshooting for a Newer Kenmore 110 Washer Not Spinning

Follow these basic troubleshooting steps to resolve a problem with a Kenmore 110 VMW washer not spinning:

1. Check for an unbalanced load. Open the washer lid and check the condition of the load. If garments are tangled into a large ball, the washer won’t be able to balance the load and spin. Untangle the load and redistribute clothes loosely in the spin basket. Run a Drain & Spin cycle to spin out the clothes.
2. Look for excessive suds. The drain pump won’t be able to pump out when water in the washer has excessive suds. Pour ½ cup of white vinegar into the tub and stir the clothes to help the vinegar mix with the sudsy water. Wait 10 minutes and then run a Drain & Spin cycle to spin out the clothes. Run a new cycle with no detergent added to rinse out excess detergent and vinegar from the clothes. Use less detergent on future loads. Make sure that you always use HE detergent in a Kenmore 110 HE VMW washer. Because this type of washer uses less water, you should only need about 1 tablespoon of HE detergent to clean most loads.
3. Look for an error code on the control panel. A Kenmore 110 VMW washer will flash lights on the display or signal a code in the digital display if your model has a digital display on the control panel. Look up the code on our Sears PartsDirect Error Code Charts and follow the troubleshooting steps for the code displayed.

If these basic troubleshooting steps don’t help you resolve a problem with your Kenmore 110 washer not spinning, schedule washer repair services and we’ll send a service technician to your home to fix the washing machine.

Troubleshooting an Older Kenmore 110 Washer Not Spinning

An older Kenmore 110 washer not spinning will often have a broken lid switch or lid strike. Check the strike that pushes down on the lid switch and replace that strike if it’s broken. Sometimes, you’ll just need to adjust the strike to make sure it pushes down on the lid switch.

If you find no problems with the lid strike, a damaged or broken lid switch is often the problem preventing your washer from spinning. Schedule washer repair service and have a Sears Home Services technician diagnose the spin failure and replace the lid switch if it’s broken.

How to Fix a Kenmore Washing Machine that Won’t Spin

When your Kenmore washing machine won’t spin, check for foam surrounding the clothes inside the washer tub. If you see lots of suds foam around the garments, this indicates that the water has way too much detergent. The drain pump in the washer won’t be able to pump out overly sudsy water so the washer won’t spin.

To eliminate the excessive suds, pour ½ cup of white vinegar into the sub and stir the clothes around to mix the white vinegar with the water inside the tub. Wait for 10 minutes and then run a Drain & Spin cycle to spin out the clothes. Run a new cycle with no detergent added to rinse excess laundry detergent and vinegar out of the clothes.

If you don’t see suds but see water still in the washer tub, a drain issue is likely causing the problem when your Kenmore washing machine won’t spin. Follow these troubleshooting tips to resolve a drain issue preventing your Kenmore washing machine from spinning.

1. Check the house drain for your washing machine for a clog. If water won’t flow freely through the house drain for your washing machine, use a plumber’s snake to clear the drain or have a plumber fix that issue to the washer will drain properly. Run a Drain & Spin cycle to spin out the clothes.
2. Look for clog in the drain hose. Clear lint or debris from the end of the drain hose. If you suspect the drain hose has an internal clog, use a wet/dry shop vacuum to suck out lint and debris. Run a Drain & Spin cycle to spin out the clothes after clearing the drain hose.
3. Check the control panel for an error code. If lights are flashing in a pattern or the digital display shows a code, look up the error code on our Kenmore washer error code charts on Sears PartsDirect and follow the troubleshooting steps described for code being displayed.

If these troubleshooting tips don’t help you resolve a problem with your Kenmore washing machine that won’t spin, schedule washer repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to fix the washer.