Although GE washers are one of the most reliable and popular washers, they are prone to various issues also. Among these issues, here comes the most irritating one; the washer is not spinning. When your washer doesn’t agitate or spin, it will not clean your clothes. And for sure it will be frustrating to see your washer not cleaning the clothes.
This guide will provide seven reasons for not spinning a GE washer. Besides this, their fixes are also included for your ease.
7 Reasons and Solutions for GE Washer Is Not Spinning
1. Imbalance of Laundry Load
Load imbalance is the leading cause that doesn’t allow the washer to spin. If one side of your washer is heavily loaded than the other side, it will create an imbalance in the washer.
It mostly happens when you try to clean delicate fabrics in a fast cycle with bulky or heavy towels or bed sheets. The clothes will toss about and pound in the tub, resulting in a loud thumping sound. It will force the washer to shut down and stop spinning.
Solution
The easiest solution to this issue is even distribution of load inside the washer. Turn off the dishwasher and open its lid. Spread the clothes evenly into the washer before starting it again. Also, check the capacity of your washer. Overloading or overfilling also hinders the spinning movement of the washer. That’s why only load the recommended number of pieces into your washer.
2. Unleveled Washer
Another possible cause of not spinning the washer is that you placed your washer on an unleveled surface. If your washer is placed on an uneven surface, it will not work efficiently. You will also hear strange noises and experience vibrations from the washer.
Solution
If you have to check the level of the washer, you should place a carpenter’s level on top of the washer. Check the five points that rest on the same level. If one endpoint is higher than others, then it means your machine requires leveling.
Manually adjust each leg of the washer from front and back. You have to adjust the legs until the machine is entirely balanced.
3. Clogged Drain Trap
Front-load washers are more prone to lint accumulation than top load washers. They are more efficient in cleaning, but they collect more lint also. If the drain filter system becomes cloggy with food particles and other debris, it will cause the washer to stop spinning. The drain filter system shuts the washer if it is cloggy or blocked.
The drain trap will overflow, and you will also notice that your GE washer is turning down slowly. After some time, the washer will completely stop its spinning movement.
Solution
The solution to this issue is the cleaning of the drain system. For cleaning, unplug the washer from the power source. Empty the water present inside the washer. Access the lint screen to clean it. Use a scrub brush and water to clean the lint screen. Also, access the drain filter for its cleaning. You can also use a toothbrush for removing sticky particles if you don’t have a scrub brush.
After cleaning everything related to the drain filter system, reassemble the washer by taking help from the manual. Plug in the washer and let it resume its spinning cycle. If your GE washer is not spinning again, move towards the other possible cause.
4. Broken Lid Switch
The lid switch is mostly located under the lid of the washer. The lid switch provides safety when the lid of the washer is open. The washer stops working whenever the lid opens because of the lid switch. If your GE washer is not spinning, then try to open and close the lid. If it doesn’t work, the lid switch is broken.
Solution
You can check the lid switch mechanically to determine whether it is the reason behind not spinning of GE washer. The defective lid switch will cause the motor to be stuck and unresponsive. If every other part of the washer is working fine, then it will be the lid switch that causes hindrance in spinning.
You have to replace the lid switch to resume the spinning movement of the GE washer. It’s better to take professional help in replacing the switch.
5. Faulty Water Level Control
If the tub needs to be refilled during a washing cycle, the water level switch sends power to the water inlet valve, timer control, and temperature switch. If this control system is defective, then the washer will not spin. You must check and replace the water level control switch to resume spinning.
See this guide if you have Whirlpool washer:
Solution
First, you should unplug the washer. After that, disconnect the wires connected to this control system. Now take an ohmmeter to check the continuity. If the tub has no water, then the continuity here should be from terminal 7-15. If the tub is full of water, the continuity should be 7-16. If you don’t get the recommended continuity, the water level control needs to be replaced.
6. Damaged Water Pump
If your GE washer is not spinning but agitating, it indicates a problem with the water pump. The pump works to push water out of the drum and its redistribution throughout the washing cycle. The water movement helps your clothes spin freely in the washer, and ultimately they will clean at the end of the cycle.
Important Information
With a Master Protection Agreement, your appliance is covered 100% if your appliance has any issues due to defects in manufacture or normal wear and tear for up to 5 years (renewable). You will also have up to 3 years of cosmetic defect protection. Read more about it here.
Solution
If the problem is in the water pump, you have to replace it. First, you need to unplug the washer. Then check for any obstructions, including fabric softener, lint, etc. If you find that the water pump is clogged, you should clean it. Disassemble the pump and clean it with a scrub brush and a clean damp cloth.
But, if you don’t find any signs of clogging, then it means the water pump is damaged. You have to replace the pump in this case.
7. Broken Drive Belt
The drive belt is responsible for moving the agitator and spinning the basket present in both the front and top load washer. The drive belts control the movement of the wash load and agitator. It also contributes to the rotation of the washer’s drum.
Solution
If the drive belt is worn out, it may prevent the washing machine from starting. If you hear squeaking and other noises, it may be due to a loose or damaged drive belt. A professional technician can easily change the drive belt.
If your GE washer is making too much noise, then it means you have to change the drive belt. After changing the drive belt, turn on the washer, and it will surely resume its spinning if the drive belt was the cause behind its stoppage.
Final Words…
If your GE washer stops spinning, then the guide mentioned above would be helpful to fix the issue. But, it’s better to hire a professional if your washer doesn’t start even after applying the recommended fixes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to reset a GE washer?
To reset the GE washer, you have to unplug it from the power source. Let it leave for one minute, and then plug in it again. Now, lift and lower the lid 6 times within 12 seconds duration. After plug in the washer, you have a maximum of 30 seconds for lifting and lowering the lid. Eventually, the washer will reset.
2. What causes the GE washing machine not to spin?
The leading cause behind the GE washer not spinning is the clogged drain trap, including the drain hose and lint screen. If the debris accumulates in the drain hose and lint screen, it will block the spinning movement of the washer. You have to clean these drain traps to resume your washer’s spinning.
3. How to drain and spin a GE washer?
If your GE washer is running, press the Start/Pause button to cause an interruption in the cycle. Now, select the Drain and Spin button and press Start/Pause again. If you have selected the Stop button and the washing machine is full of water, then select Drain and Spin. Again select the Start button.
4. How much does it cost to fix a not spinning GE washer?
To fix the faulty parts that cause a washer not to spin, costs around $150-$500. But it also depends on the model of your washer and the damaged part that causes the washer not to spin.
