Why is my washing machine not spinning or draining?

Wondering what's going on in there?

How your washer spins, in plain English

A washer won't spin unless it's safe and the water is gone. It checks each step before it moves to the next one.

Each number matches a step below. The washer won't spin until steps 1 and 2 are done.

The lid or door locks. A small switch tells the washer it's shut. No lock, no spin. Pros call it the lid switch or door lock.
The water drains. A drain pump at the bottom pushes the water out through the drain hose, into a pipe in the wall or floor called a standpipe. Front-loaders have a pump filter that catches socks and coins.
The motor turns the drum. It connects through a rubber drive belt, or on many top-loaders a small plastic coupler.
Shocks hold it steady. If the load is off balance or the shocks are worn, the washer slows down or stops to protect itself.

So a washer that won't spin is usually stuck at one of these:

The setting or the load: a gentle cycle, a off balance or packed load, or too many suds.
The water can't get out: a kinked hose, a clogged filter, a failed pump, or a clogged drain pipe in the house.
The lid won't lock: a broken switch or lock.
The drum won't turn: a belt, coupler, clutch or motor.

Whirlpool says you may need to run a Drain and Spin cycle when the water doesn't drain on its own. That's why the questions at the top start there, then check these in the same order.

Water coming up in other drains too? See our guide to a clogged kitchen sink, which covers a main drain clog. Smells bad too? Use our washer smell guide.

Water on the floor? See our guide to a washing machine that's leaking.

Who to call

Rather not do it yourself? Call an appliance repair tech.

That's a fine choice. Maybe you're busy. Maybe you're selling the house and just want it done right. An appliance repair tech can find the part that quit and fix it.

$85–$300New lid lock or switch

$150–$400New drain pump

Most repair companies charge $60–$150 to come out, and many put that toward the repair. A new motor costs $300–$700.

Find washer repair near you

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What to say

Calling a pro? Here's what to say.

A few lines to read when they pick up, and the questions to ask before anyone comes out.

Before you call

Under a year old? Call the maker first.

Store protection plan? Call them first.

4.5 stars or more, and works on your brand.

Say this

Hi. My washing machine won't spin or drain. When's the soonest you can get here? And what's your fee for the visit? Does it go toward the repair?

Always ask

What's your fee to come out, and does it go toward the repair?
Do you work on my brand, and can you bring the likely part on the first visit?
Will you tell me the full price before you start any work?

Watch out if

They push a brand-new appliance on the first visit for a small problem.
They won't give you a price before starting.
They want you to pay for parts before they've found the problem.

Feeling pushed to decide on the spot? You can say no and hang up. You owe nothing for a phone call.

Know what's wrong before they come

Answer up to 5 quick questions. We'll give you the words a pro uses.

Answer the questions →

More of a list person?

Common symptoms, causes, tests and costs

Find the row that sounds like your washer. The quick test is something you can check yourself in a few minutes.

What you notice	What it probably is	Quick test	Do it yourself	With a pro	Verdict
Spins fine on Drain and Spin, but not on the cycle you used	The cycle you picked spins slowly	Run Drain and Spin and watch	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The cycle you picked spins slowly
Spins slowly or stops; one heavy item or clothes bunched up	The load is off balance	Open it and look at how the clothes sit	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The load is off balance
Spins slowly or stops; drum packed tight	The washer is overloaded	Can you push your hand in easily?	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The washer is overloaded
Lots of foam; water stays or it spins slowly	Too many suds	Look for foam in the tub	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: Too many suds
Rocks, walks or wobbles during the spin	The washer isn't level	Press each front corner. Does it wobble?	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The washer isn't level
Water stays in the tub; drain hose bent or squashed	The drain hose is kinked	Pull the washer out and follow the hose	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The drain hose is kinked
Front-loader; water stays; filter full of lint or small items	The pump filter is clogged	Open the small door at the bottom front	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The pump filter is clogged
Water stays; hose and filter clear; pump hums or is silent	The drain pump failed	Listen near the bottom for the pump's hum during Drain and Spin	Pro job	$150–$400	CALLSee the answer: The drain pump failed
Water backs up out of the drain pipe or a floor drain	The house drain is clogged	Watch the drain pipe during Drain and Spin	Pro job	$100–$800	CALLSee the answer: The house drain is clogged
Stops before spinning; no click, or the Locked light stays off	The lid switch or door lock failed	Close it firmly: listen for a click and look for the Locked light	Pro job	$85–$300	CALLSee the answer: The lid switch or door lock failed
Hums, but the drum won't turn; drum turns freely by hand	A worn belt or motor coupler	Unplug it and turn the drum by hand	Pro job	$85–$250	CALLSee the answer: A worn belt or motor coupler
Hums but won't spin; drum stiff or grinding by hand	The clutch or transmission	Unplug it and turn the drum by hand	Pro job	$200–$600	CALLSee the answer: The clutch or transmission
Sits still, but bangs inside during the spin	Worn shocks or springs	Push down on the tub. Does it bounce more than once?	Pro job	$100–$350	CALLSee the answer: Worn shocks or springs
Locks, but nothing turns; may smell hot	The motor	Rule out the lid lock, belt and coupler first	Pro job	$300–$700	CALLSee the answer: The motor
Stops with no sound, or shows an error code	A problem with the washer's brain	Unplug it for a minute, then try again	Pro job	$250–$550	CALLSee the answer: A problem with the washer's brain

2026 U.S. averages, rounded. Pro prices include parts and labor. Most repair companies charge $60–$150 to come out, and many put that toward the repair. Nights, weekends and big cities cost more. See all repair prices

Want proof it's working?

The towel test

This tells you whether your washer is spinning hard enough.

Wet two bath towels and put them in, spread evenly.
Run Drain and Spin on the highest spin setting.
Take the towels out and squeeze one hard.

Damp, only a few drips: it's spinning well.
Dripping wet: it isn't spinning fast. Take the questions at the top.

Not sure it's safe to keep running?

Turn it off right away if…

You smell burning, hot rubber or hot plastic.
Water is leaking onto the floor near the outlet.
It makes a loud grinding or screeching noise.
The breaker or outlet trips again after one reset.
Dirty water backs up out of the drain pipe or a floor drain.
It's walking across the floor and could pull its hoses loose.

To turn it off, press Power or Cancel, then unplug it. If water is on the floor near the outlet, turn off the breaker first.

Got a big repair quote?

Should you repair it or replace it?

Most washer repairs cost a few hundred dollars. Fixr puts the average at about $300. A new washer runs about $700–$1,300. Ask yourself three things:

How old is it? Washers last about 8–13 years. The date is on the model sticker.
Is it under warranty? Most new washers have at least a 1-year warranty.
The half rule. If the repair costs more than half the price of a new washer, get a replacement price too.

Example: a $150 lid switch on a 5-year-old washer is worth doing. A $500 transmission on an 11-year-old washer is worth comparing with a new one.

Ran into a word you don't know?

Washer words, explained

Tap through these before you go looking. The drawings show roughly what each part looks like.

Top-load washer: A washer with a lid on top.
Front-load washer: A washer with a round door on the front.
Lid switch or door lock: A small part that tells the washer the lid or door is shut. It won't spin without it.
Drain pump: A small pump at the bottom that pushes the water out.
Pump filter: On front-loaders, a filter behind a small door at the bottom front that catches socks, coins and lint.
Drain hose: The gray hose from the back of the washer to the drain.
Standpipe: The pipe in the wall or floor that the drain hose hooks into. Maytag says it should be 30 to 96 inches tall.
Drive belt: A rubber belt that lets the motor turn the drum.
Motor coupler: On many top-loaders, a small plastic part that connects the motor to the drum. It's built to break before the motor does.
Clutch and transmission: On top-loaders, the parts under the tub that connect the motor to the drum for the spin.
Shocks: Parts that hold the tub steady while it spins, like a car's shocks.
Leveling feet: The screw-in feet under the front of the washer. Turn them to make it sit flat.
HE detergent: Detergent made for high-efficiency washers. It makes fewer suds.
Model number: A code on a sticker under the lid, on the door frame or on the back. You need it to order the right part.

Still have questions?

Questions people ask most

Why does my washer fill and wash, but not spin?

A washer that fills and washes but won't spin usually isn't draining, the lid isn't locking, or the load is off balance. Run Drain and Spin and watch what happens. The questions at the top start from there.

Is a washer that won't spin or drain an emergency?

A washer that won't spin or drain is usually not an emergency, but a burning smell or water near the outlet is. Then turn off its power at the electrical panel and unplug it. Dirty water backing up out of the drain pipe or a floor drain is urgent too: stop using water and call a plumber today. Otherwise, the water in the tub can wait.

Why does my washer spin but leave clothes soaking wet?

A washer that spins but leaves clothes soaking wet usually has a slow drain, an overloaded or off-balance drum, or a low spin setting. Whirlpool says low spin speeds, like on Delicate, remove less water. Check that the drain hose isn't kinked or clogged, spread the load out, and run Drain and Spin on a high speed.

Will a washer refuse to spin if the load is too heavy?

Yes, a washer may refuse to spin, or stop and beep, if the load is too heavy or bunched to one side. Whirlpool says the load must be balanced and not packed tight. LG says a single bulky item, like a rug or pillow, often causes it. Spread the clothes out, take some out if it's packed, and run Drain and Spin.

Why won't my brand-new washer spin?

A brand-new front-loader that won't spin right often still has its shipping bolts in. Whirlpool says the transport bolts must come out before the washer will work properly, and Samsung and LG say leaving them in causes heavy shaking. Your manual shows where they are. Also check that it sits level on all four feet and the drain hose isn't kinked.

How do I reset my washing machine?

To reset most washing machines, unplug them for 1 minute, then plug them back in. Some washers have their own reset steps in the manual.

Can too much detergent stop a washer from spinning?

Yes, too much detergent can stop a washer from spinning. Too many suds can stop the water from draining, and the washer won't spin with water in it. Run Rinse and Spin with no detergent until the foam is gone.

Where is the drain pump filter?

The drain pump filter on most front-loaders is behind a small door at the bottom front. Put towels down first, because water comes out. Most top-loaders don't have one you can reach.

Why is there water in my washer that won't drain?

Water stays in a washer when something blocks the way out. It may be a kinked hose, a clogged pump filter, a failed drain pump, or a clogged drain pipe in the house. Too many suds can do it too. The questions at the top check them in order.

How do I get the water out of my washer?

Many front-loaders have a small drain tube by the pump filter that lets you get the water out, Whirlpool says. Drain it into a shallow pan, with towels down. Top-loaders usually don't have one you can reach, and Whirlpool suggests calling a pro.

Who do I call for a washer that won't spin or drain, a plumber or washer repair?

Call a washer repair tech when the washer itself won't drain or spin. Call a plumber if water backs up out of the pipe the hose goes into, or out of a floor drain. Then the clog is in the house drain. If other drains back up too, the main drain may be clogged. Stop using water and call today.

How much does it cost to fix a washer that won't spin or drain?

Fixing a washer that won't spin or drain often costs nothing, if it's the load, the suds or a kinked hose. A lid switch runs about $85–$300. A drain pump runs about $150–$400. A plumber clearing the laundry drain runs about $150–$250. A motor runs about $300–$700.

How we built this

The questions follow the order an appliance tech checks a washer that won't spin or drain: a Drain and Spin test, the load and suds, then the drain hose, pump filter and house drain, the lid lock, and the drive parts. Each answer makes some causes more likely and others less likely.

Prices are 2026 national averages from published repair-cost guides, rounded. Your local prices will differ.

How we make money: some links go to parts stores that pay us a small commission, and some pro listings pay us when you call them. Verdicts come from the diagnosis, not from who pays more.