My LG washing machine won't spin – what should I do?

My LG washing machine isn't spinning after washing—this is a common problem people bring to service centers. Why do you have to take wet laundry out of the drum every now and then?

This issue needs to be addressed carefully, as the causes could range from operating violations to serious malfunctions. Only by understanding the problem can a corrective action plan be developed.

Trivial mistakes

What happens when the spin cycle doesn't work, but all other functions (wash, rinse, and drain) are working? As harsh as it may sound, user inattention could be to blame. Here are some common mistakes people make:

• Using the wrong cycle; for example, programs like "Wool," "Silk," and "Hand Wash" may not even have a spin cycle. As a result, you'll end up with damp laundry. This can be resolved by turning on a separate "Spin" cycle after the main cycle has finished.
• accidentally press the "No Spin" button;
• If you load too many items into the drum, the machine will overload and won't spin. In this situation, remove the items from the drum and divide them into two roughly equal loads, then spin them one at a time using the "Spin" function. If you only have a single down jacket in the drum that hasn't been spun, it's either too large for your machine's drum or it's bunching unevenly to one side. Perhaps special laundry balls can help correct the situation; place them with the down jacket and run the “Spin” cycle;
• They wash too little laundry, which leads to an imbalance and the machine gets stuck during the spin cycle.
  

  When washing clothes, place several large items in the drum with small items. For example, you can wash socks with jeans or tights.

• Don't clean the drain filter. It can become clogged, which will affect the spin process.

Tachometer or engine failure

Frequent overloading of the washing machine drum can cause the sensor that monitors the motor speed to fail. If it fails, the washing machine will stop spinning. This problem is extremely rare, but it should still be considered. It is possible that the problem is not with the sensor, but with oxidized wires coming from the sensor, or with a loose mount.

Even less common is a failed spin cycle in a washing machine due to a burnt-out motor. LG machines typically use an inverter motor, which is quite reliable; manufacturers offer a 10-year warranty for good reason. Replacing the motor in a modern machine can be quite expensive. However, you can replace the tachometer yourself.

Problems with the control module

You can check the control module's functionality in diagnostic mode. Not all washing machine models have this mode, but if yours does, try it. First, plug in the machine and wait for the beeping sound to stop. Then, simultaneously press the "Spin" and "Temp" buttons.

After running the diagnostics, press the "Start" button once, which will lock the door. Press the "Start" button again, and the machine will enter spin mode. If the machine does not make a single revolution, then there is a problem. To make sure, do the following:

1. Provide access to the washing machine motor by removing the rear panel of the housing;
2. take a tester or multimeter and turn on the AC voltage measurement mode;
3. remove the connector with wires from the engine;
4. Measure the voltage between the wire contacts. If the device shows 140-150 volts, the control module is working properly. If there is no voltage, the module will need to be reflashed or replaced.

Important! Only a specialist can thoroughly check the functionality of the electronic module, so in this situation, it's best to seek help. Without understanding the nuances, you could make the problem worse.

As you can see, there could be many reasons why your washing machine isn't spinning. However, we haven't considered cases where the lack of spinning is due to a lack of drainage. If you're interested, you can find more details in the article. LG washing machine does not drain water and does not spin.

   

6 reader comments

1. May 26, 2018 at 4:20 PM

   Vitaly:

   Thanks for the advice!

   Answer
2. April 20, 2019 at 11:07 AM

   Andrey:

   Thanks. Showed my wife that it's not a bad idea to stuff the washing machine to the brim.

   Answer
3. January 11, 2021 at 4:52 PM

   Tolkien:

   My LG washing machine washes as usual. But when it's time to drain and spin, the machine simply beeps, but doesn't drain or spin.

   Answer
   • April 11, 2021 at 7:57 AM

     Rinat:

     Hello, I have the same problem. How did you solve it?

     Answer
4. May 21, 2021 at 3:25 PM

   Marina:

   I have the same problem: it washes, but doesn't spin. The machine is already two years old! What could it be?

   Answer
5. March 15, 2023 at 4:16 AM

   Physicist Irkutsk:

   I didn't wring out the down jacket; I spent a long time smoothing it out by adding water. I turned off the water to the machine and spun it right away.

   Answer