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Washing machineWashing machine won't spin — clothes left soaking wet
Clothes coming out heavy and soaking means the machine isn't reaching its spin — and the reason can be anything from a trivial one to a worn component.
What it usually means
A washing machine won't spin if it can't first drain, if the load is unbalanced, or if a component in the spin path has worn out. Some causes are a 2-minute fix; others need a part. The trick is knowing which before you spend anything.
Common causes
- Drainage problem
Most machines refuse to spin until they've drained. A blocked filter or hose can be the whole story.
- Unbalanced load
A single heavy item — a towel or duvet — can stop a spin. Genuinely free to fix.
- Worn motor brushes
On older machines with brushed motors, worn carbon brushes are a common, inexpensive part.
- Faulty door lock
The machine won't spin if it can't confirm the door is locked. A common, affordable part.
- Broken drive belt
On belt-driven machines, a snapped or slipped belt stops the drum spinning.
The causes here range from completely free to a modest part — and they're easy to tell apart on a video call. £29 to know exactly, versus £100+ for an engineer to come and look.
Note: exact fault behaviour varies by model and age — the only way to be sure is to have someone look. That's what the £29 call is for.
Is your washing machine worth fixing?
Book a 20-minute video call and a qualified engineer will tell you straight — for £29, with a full refund if we can't diagnose it.
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