
If your washing machine stops mid-cycle and refuses to spin or drain, you’ve probably got a problem with the drainage system. Due to the high speeds of the spin cycle, most washing machine brands prevent spinning when there is a certain amount of water in the machine. This prevents water from sloshing out and also prevents damage to the washer from spinning a drum that is too heavy.
Although this may sound serious, some simple fixes can solve this problem – simple enough even for a novice DIYer. Let’s get started!
Clean the filter/coin trap
The filter or coin trap in your washing machine traps lint and any debris that might accidentally end up in your washer, such as coins, tissues, and other small items. If not cleaned regularly, debris can build up to such an extent that drainage is impeded, which will also impact the spin cycle.
If this is your issue, you may notice that the machine begins the drainage cycle, but is unable to get enough water out of the drum to let the spin cycle start. Here’s how to fix this issue.
- Locate the filter in your washer. In the majority of models, the filter is usually at the lower right bottom corner of your washer, behind a panel. Check your manual for specifics if you’re unsure.
- Most washers will have a secondary drainage hose, which you will need to use to drain your washer’s drum before removing the filter. This prevents water from flowing out when the filter is removed. Have towels and a shallow pan ready to catch the water.
- Once the drum has been drained, remove the filter by unscrewing it counterclockwise.
- Rinse the filter thoroughly under running water, ensuring all lint and debris have been removed.
- Run a test cycle to make sure the spin and drainage issues are fixed.
Check the drain hose
If you’ve ruled out a clogged filter, the next thing to check is the drain hose. A clogged, kinked, or improperly placed drain hose can prevent water from being drained from the drum, which will also mean the spin cycle won’t engage. If there is a problem with the drain hose, you may hear the washer making a noise as if it is trying to drain but water still remains in the drum. Here’s what to do:
- First, manually drain the water from the drum. This prevents spills when the drainage hose is disconnected. Use a secondary drainage hose as described above.
- Once the machine has been drained, disconnect the washer from the power source and pull it away from the wall (you will need to use a furniture dolly as washers are heavy).
- First, check the placement of the drainage hose. If the hose is kinked, this will be an easy fix – simply straighten out the hose and then run a test cycle to ensure the problem has been resolved.
- Check how the end of the hose is placed in the drain pipe. If the hose is too low, it can lead to water siphoning back into the washer, preventing drainage and spinning. The hose should be at least 30 inches from the floor for top loader models and at least 24 inches from the floor for front loaders.
- If there are no obvious issues with the drainage hose, there may be an internal clog. Disconnect the hose from the back of the washer and remove the other end from the drain pipe. Have towels on hand to catch leaks.
- Use a length of wire or a plumber snake to clear any clogs from the hose.
- Test to make sure the hose is clear by running water through it.
- Once the clog has been cleared, reconnect the drainage hose and run a test cycle to ensure the issue has been fixed.
Check the lid switch
Top loader washers have a lid switch that senses whether or not the lid is closed. This prevents the washer from agitating or spinning while the lid is open. If the lid switch is damaged or clogged with detergent residue, then your washer won’t be able to spin or drain properly. To fix:
- Open the lid of your washer and locate the lid switch. Consult your manual if you’re not sure where it is.
- Check the switch for residue. If it appears dirty or coated in detergent residue, use a brush dipped in warm water to scrub it clean, then see if this fixes the issue.
- Use a multimeter to test the lid switch for continuity. If there is no continuity, the switch is faulty.
- If you feel confident doing electrical DIY, purchase a compatible replacement switch. Remove the old, faulty switch and install the new one in its place, then test to see if this fixes the spin issue.
Change your detergent
One simple thing that may be causing your drainage and spin issues is the type of detergent you’re using, as many modern washers are designed to be used only with high-efficiency detergent, which creates less suds than some more basic brands
If you use a detergent that creates a large amount of suds, your washer may become filled with bubbles that do not drain away as easily as water does. Your washer will then sense that the water level is too high to begin the spin cycle. If this is your problem it will be obvious – when the machine stops mid-cycle and refuses to drain, if you open the lid it will be filled with bubbles.
The easiest way to fix this is to check which detergent your washing machine recommends – you can usually find this information in the user manual. Otherwise, ensure that you choose a detergent that is labeled as ‘high efficiency’ and you should see this problem resolved.

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