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Your washing machine isn’t spinning anymore: what’s the cause and how do you fix it?

Thijs24 AUGUST 2025
A front-facing view of a white front-load washing machine is set against a teal wall and wood floor.

Is your laundry coming out soaking wet from your washing machine? Chances are your machine is no longer spinning properly. Often, there’s a simple solution for this problem, but sometimes you’ll need a technician’s help. Here you’ll find the most common causes and how to get your washing machine spinning again.

1) Incorrect loading or drum imbalance

Person in jeans sits in lotus pose on a white washing machine. Two laundry baskets hold dark clothes.

Your washing machine won’t spin if the load inside the drum is unbalanced. Many modern machines have sensors that detect the drum’s contents during a cycle. If the load is unbalanced – for example, if there’s too much or too little laundry or if clothes are tangled up – the machine will refuse to spin. That’s a handy feature, because spinning at full speed with an uneven load can damage the machine. Try redistributing your laundry. Add or remove clothing and check that your jumper hasn’t become tangled with your trousers.

2) Door obstruction

If the door is blocked, the washing machine can’t spin properly. This happens if the door isn’t fully closed or if items are caught between the door and the drum. The drum can’t turn at high speed, leaving your clothes soaking wet. Make sure the door is firmly closed, and nothing is caught in the opening so your machine can work as it should. If the door won’t close properly and you can’t find the cause, it’s best to contact a professional technician.

3) Drainage problems

A gloved hand holds a gray hose connected to a white washing machine, with part of a person visible on the right.

If your washing machine isn’t spinning at full speed, the drain may be blocked. Water can’t drain away quickly enough, so the drum won’t turn or spin. Often, the filter is clogged with dirt, fluff, or soap residue, causing a blockage. You can solve this by pouring boiling water with soda or vinegar through the drain and filter. In any case, it’s wise to clean the filter regularly to prevent blockages and help your machine last longer.

How to unblock your washing machine drain

4) Faulty spin function

Any part of a washing machine can break down. This can happen with any brand, whether it’s a Miele, Bosch, Siemens, Samsung, or AEG. For example, the spin function may stop working if the machine wasn’t standing up straight after moving, or if the load was too heavy during a wash cycle. Try switching your machine off and on again. If that doesn’t help, you’ll need to call a technician to repair the spin function.

Conclusion: what can you do if your washing machine isn’t spinning?

Man in a white shirt peers into a washing machine full of blue clothes, hand reaching in.

There’s no need to panic if your washing machine hasn’t spun properly. Often, it’s simply a matter of incorrect or imbalanced loading. Adjust the load, untangle clothes or remove items stuck in the door. If it still won’t spin, try unblocking the drain. If that doesn’t work, it’s time to contact a technician.

Is your washing machine not spinning in Belgium? Read this article on MediaMarkt.be.

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