Washing Machine Not Spinning? Here’s What’s Really Going On

When your washing machine not spinning, a common household appliance failure that leaves clothes soaking wet and frustration high. It’s not always a sign your machine is dead—often, it’s just one small part that’s failed or got clogged. This isn’t a mystery. Most of the time, the spin cycle stops because of something easy to fix, not because the whole unit needs replacing.

What’s actually causing it? The most common culprit is a clogged drain pump, a small but critical component that removes water after the wash cycle. If it’s blocked by lint, coins, or socks, the machine won’t spin because it can’t drain. Then there’s the drive belt, the rubber loop that connects the motor to the drum. If it’s snapped or loose, the drum won’t turn no matter how hard the motor tries. And don’t forget the door lock, a safety switch that prevents spinning if the door isn’t fully sealed. Even a tiny bit of fabric caught in the seal can trick the machine into thinking the door’s open.

Some people assume a washing machine not spinning means it’s time for a new one. But that’s not true. Many machines under 10 years old can be fixed for under £100. Replacing a belt or clearing a pump takes less than an hour. Even the spin motor, the part that actually turns the drum, can sometimes be repaired instead of replaced. The real cost comes from guessing—calling a technician without checking the basics first. You might end up paying for a service call just to find out you could’ve fixed it yourself with a screwdriver and a few minutes.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real fixes from real homes—not theory, not ads. You’ll see how people in Bedford and beyond tackled the same problem: what they checked, what they found, and how much it cost. Some fixes took five minutes. Others needed a part ordered online. None of them required a full replacement. If your machine won’t spin, you’re not alone. And you’re not out of options yet.