Oven Convection Fan Not Working? 6 Causes and What to Do
A convection fan that will not spin is usually a failed fan motor, a seized blade, a door switch or a relay on the control board. Here is how to narrow it down.
Read the guideWhy is my washer not spinning?
The most common reasons are an unbalanced load, water that has not drained, a worn lid switch or door lock, a broken drive belt, a worn motor coupling, or a control or motor fault. Many washers stop the spin on purpose to protect themselves, so start with the simple checks below.
Before you start, unplug the washer and have towels ready. If water is still in the drum, it will come out when you open the drain filter.
What are the 6 most common causes?
1. An unbalanced load
One heavy item, like a comforter or bath mat, can pull the drum to one side. The washer senses it and skips or slows the spin. Spread the load out or add a few towels, then run a spin-only cycle.
2. Water that won't drain
Most washers will not spin until the water is gone. A clogged pump filter, a kinked hose or a sock in the pump stops the drain. Our guide to a washer that won't drain walks through it.
3. A worn lid switch or door lock
The washer needs to know the lid or door is closed and locked before it spins. If you do not hear the lock click, or the lid switch is broken, the spin never starts.
4. A broken or loose drive belt
On belt-drive washers, the belt turns the drum. A worn belt slips, and a broken one leaves the motor humming while the drum sits still. A burning rubber smell is a clue.
5. A worn motor coupling or clutch
Many top-load washers use a small coupling between the motor and the transmission. It is made to break if the washer is overloaded. Some top-loaders also have a clutch that wears out.
6. A control or motor fault
Front-load washers often use a direct-drive motor and an electronic control. A fault code on the display can point to the motor, the speed sensor or the board.
What can you check yourself?
- Rebalance the load and run a spin-only cycle.
- Check the drain hose for kinks and clean the pump filter on front-loaders.
- Listen for the door lock click when the cycle starts.
- Unplug the washer for 5 minutes to reset the control.
- Write down any error code on the display.
Washer full of water and clothes? Call now and a Mountain View technician can help today.
When should you call a technician?
Call if the washer still won't spin after you rebalance the load and clear the drain, if the motor hums but the drum does not turn, if you smell burning rubber, or if the same error code keeps coming back. These usually point to a belt, coupling, lock or motor part.
Most washer repairs in Mountain View run about $150 to $450 with parts and labor, and you get the price before work starts. Learn more about our washer repair in Mountain View. If your washer also shakes hard during the spin, read why a washer shakes during spin. For a smelly front-loader, see front-load washer smells.
To compare newer models before you replace a washer, see the ENERGY STAR clothes washer guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't my washer spin but it drains?
An unbalanced load, a worn lid switch or door lock, a broken belt or a worn motor coupling are the usual causes when water drains but the drum does not spin.
Will a washer spin if it can't drain?
Most washers will not start the spin until the water is gone. A clogged pump filter or kinked hose often stops both draining and spinning.
How much does washer repair cost in Mountain View?
Most washer repairs run about $150 to $450 with parts and labor. You get the price before any work starts.