Kenmore washer not spinning, One of the biggest challenges in the laundry is when your clothes aren’t clean or have a strong, musty smell. There are a couple of reasons why this might be happening, including but not limited to the washer being overloaded or not enough soap being used. The first step to fixing these problems is determining what they are.
The good news is, there are a few different things that can cause this, and luckily, they’re all simple fixes. But finding out what the problem is can be tricky. That’s why we put together this post to try and help explain why it’s not spinning so you can determine and fix the problem yourself.
Table of Contents
Kenmore Washer Not Spinning: What to Check
Check the Basement for Water
Check the basement for water. If you find some, turn off the water supply to the washing machine and unplug it before proceeding any further.
Unplug the washing machine from the electrical outlet and remove the front panel by removing its screws. Once you have accessed the motor, check if there is any debris inside it, especially around the belt pulley area. Clean out any debris that may be present in this area using a toothbrush and warm water.
If there is no spinning action after performing these steps, there could be a problem with your washing machine drum bearings or transmission. It is recommended to seek professional help for this kind of problem as replacing these parts without proper knowledge can cause more damage to your washer.
Unclog the Drain Filter
If your Kenmore washer isn’t spinning, the problem may be that water is not draining from the tub properly. The most common cause clogs in the drain hose or filter. Remove the hose from its hook on the back of your washer and inspect it for debris. You may need to clean it with a wire brush or replace it if it’s badly clogged.
Many filters are located inside an access panel on top of your washing machine and can be removed by loosening two screws and pulling them out. Cleaning these filters will help fix this problem as well.
Check your Home’s Breaker Panel
You should first check your home’s breaker panel and ensure there aren’t any issues with the power.If you have an electric dryer or stove, the problem may lie with them.
If so, you may need to reset the breaker panel for your washing machine to work properly again. Resetting a breaker panel usually involves flipping all the switches back on one at a time until you find the one that causes your washing machine to start working again.
Checking Your Home’s Main Water Supply Valve
You can also check if there’s power going to your washing machine by checking your main water supply valve. Open your cabinet under the sink and look for a metal box labeled valve or water supply.
Inside this box should be two valves: one marked hot water and one marked cold water. Check both valves to ensure they’re turned open, allowing hot and cold water through. If either valve is turned off or closed, no water will reach your washing machine until it is turned back on again.
Check your Washer Hose
If your Kenmore washer is not spinning, it could be caused by a faulty pump, hose, or transmission. The first thing you want to do is check the water level in your washer. If the water level is too low, add more until it reaches the top of the clothes.
Then check the drain hose. If there is any clogging, remove it and clean out any debris that may have been collected inside. You can also take out the drain hose from underneath and look at it for holes or tears to ensure that no water will leak from them when you wash your clothes.
If these steps do not resolve your issue, you may have a problem with your transmission. The transmission in your Kenmore washer transfers energy from the motor to the drum to spin it. If this part breaks down, it will not be able to transfer energy from one device to another effectively and, therefore, cannot spin properly when items inside it need washing or cleaning.
The Detergent Drawer is Clogged
The drawer is in the top left corner of your washer. It’s a small plastic bin holding soap, bleach, and fabric softener.
The solution is to remove the drawer, clean it, and reinstall it.
- Open the washer door and remove the lower kick panel on the right side of the washer.
- Remove the two screws holding the detergent drawer in place at the back of the washer cabinet. Remove the drawer from its housing by pulling it toward you inside the cabinet.
- Pull out any paper or other debris that has accumulated in the bottom of your detergent drawer. You may want to use tweezers or another tool to pull out any objects that might be stuck there. Clean any remaining lint or debris with warm water and a soft cloth or sponge.
- Allow your washer door to close completely before opening it again, then re-install your detergent drawer into its housing by pushing it back into place until it clicks into place. It should not be loose when installed correctly. Reinstall your lower kick panel if removed earlier, and close your washer door.
The Washer is Unleveled
The machine has a leveling system to compensate for the fact that it is not sitting flat on the floor. If it is not level, the tub will move back and forth slightly as it spins. This can cause problems with the transmission and bearings in the machine, so you should level your machine as soon as possible.
The first step is to determine just how unleveled your machine is. You can do this by using a bubble level (the type used in carpentry) on top of the washer’s belt guard (the metal bar that holds up the agitator).
Three screws on each side hold this belt guard in place; remove these screws and set them aside, so they don’t get lost when you remove the guard. Then lay a bubble level on each side of the belt guard; adjust each side until both bubbles are centered, then tighten down each screw until they are snug but not tight enough to bend or warp any metal parts inside your washing machine.
Final Word
If your washer is not spinning, try testing the lid switch. This will cut power to the motor and stop water from entering the washer or spin cycle. You will need a multimeter with continuity test capability to test the switch. Turn the machine off and pull the lid switch from its socket on the front panel. Then simply place probes into this socket and check for continuity. If you get zero continuity when pressing the switch, it is good and requires replacement.
