It’s common for washers to develop issues over time, but the good news is that the majority of these are simple fixes you can carry out yourself. This can turn a stressful situation into an opportunity to save cash and learn how your machine works. So if you’re struggling with a clogged machine or poor spin performance, take a look at this LG Washer Not Spinning troubleshooting guide.
LG washer is one of the leading laundry machine manufacturers in the market today. LG washers have a wide variety of models available, each one offering something different to their users. Unfortunately, just like any other washer, your LG washer will likely encounter issues once in a while.
If you’re not sure how to diagnose the problem with your LG washer, worry no more. Whether it’s an abrupt grinding noise or a lack of spinning entirely, there are a few ways you can troubleshoot and get back to washing clothes in no time.
Your LG washer is not spinning properly. There are several possible causes for this problem, including broken motor or speed sensor wires, a rotor position sensor fault, a worn out rotor assembly, and main control board failures.
In this article, I’ll explore each of the following reasons to help you understand why it happens and how to deal with it:
LG Washer Not Spinning – Troubleshoot And Diagnosis
We’ll help you fix the washer not spinning problem on your LG, step-by-step. First, we’ll troubleshoot a few causes — then we’ll suggest an effective solution for each cause.
1. Not Enough Power
LG washer owners have reported several issues when it comes to machine maintenance. While some of these problems may be due to bad wiring or large power surges, others can simply be prevented with proper cleaning and maintenance. Before doing anything else, check if your washing machine is properly plugged into a functioning outlet; don’t use damaged power cords either.
One of the most common reasons for your LG washing machine not to spin is a power outlet issue. The first thing you should do is assess whether or not the outlet is working properly. In order to do so, plug in another electrical device like a lamp or TV and make sure that it’s receiving adequate power.
If you’re using a surge protector or power strip, make sure the device is turned on and that the washer’s cord passes through the right slots.
If your LG washing machine appears to be malfunctioning, the first thing you’ll want to do is perform a hard reset. If a simple reset doesn’t work, this may mean that something is stuck or it developed a larger problem, like a broken belt or other component failures.
There are a number of reset options you can try if your LG washing machine is acting up. First, make sure the machine is unplugged and that you’ve turned off its circuit breaker. Next, press and hold the POWER/START button for five seconds, followed by the PLAY/PAUSE button for five seconds. You’ll be able to restart the washing machine after this step.
2. Wash Load is Off Balance
If you’ve ever run into a problem where your washer won’t spin because it’s unbalanced, you know how frustrating it can be. Washing machine balancing is a fairly simple process and you can usually solve the problem with a couple of easy steps while avoiding costly service calls to the repair man and expensive parts.
You can fix an unbalanced large load by redistributing items to the other side of the tub and removing some items. You could also add some extra small items to the load. Adjusting the spin speed can also help — lower it to allow the tub to balance out, or raise it if a more robust spin is required.
If you’ve got a bunch of stuff that’s piling into one side of your washing machine, things can get out of hand and result in an imbalance that prevents your washer from spinning properly. This is because the spin cycle uses centrifugal force to remove water from your clothes — and if that force isn’t present, your clothes won’t get clean!
3. Washer is Not Level
LG is one of the most reliable brands in washers, but it’s not always perfect. If your machine is making loud noises during a cycle or not spinning at all, check to see if it’s level. If the front and back legs are not resting evenly on the floor, it will not only make noise during its cycle — it can also cause damage to the rubber seal around the door and impact your clothes’ spin quality.
First, make sure that the flooring is even and that the surface isn’t slippery, which could cause the washer to move around. If this is not the case, it’s possible that the machine doesn’t rest evenly on the floor or its leveling legs need to be reset.
You can tighten or lower your LG front load washer by adjusting the legs that are attached to the bottom of the unit. To do this:
Using the wrench, loosen and remove each of the four bolts on each leg.
Using your hands and arms, raise the washer up or down until it is resting evenly on all four legs.
Go through each leg and tighten the bolts as you go, alternating between raising and lowering each leg of the machine slightly.
When you’re happy with where it is, use the wrench to reattach each bolt and secure them tightly.
4. Using Too Much or Wrong Type of Detergent
When you add too much detergent to your LG washer, the machine will fail to drain water.
To avoid this, simply check the amount of detergent you’re adding — HE detergents should be used in amounts no more than recommended by the manufacturer.
Overuse of HE detergent can cause your machine to fill with suds, which may clog the drain pump and halt your laundry cycle.
But even if you don’t use HE detergent, too much detergent can create clogs and stop a spin cycle.
To avoid suds and facilitate spinning, always use HE powder (or liquid) detergent, and correctly fill the dispenser depending on the type of load.
HE detergents are designed to be used in HE washing machines, and should always be used according to the instructions on the bottle. Generally, you’re advised to use half the amount you would of a normal detergent.
5. Check Dryer Settings
The LG washer’s Child Lock setting is an extra safety step that can keep the machine from starting accidentally. If the Child Lock setting is enabled, the code CL usually appears on the display when you set or unset the lock.
If you’ve accidentally enabled the “Child Lock” setting of your LG washing machine, it will remain unable to start or spin. You may see a message on the display that says “CL.” This means that the Child Lock is enabled.
LG washing machines are equipped with a Child Lock feature that allows you to lock the washer’s controls so that young children can’t accidentally start a cycle or put items inside.
To disable the child lock on your LG washer, press and hold the Child Lock button for 3 seconds. The CL code should disappear from the display, and the washer should return to normal operation.
If a new error code appears, refer to your user manual for more information about what it means or try resetting the washing machine by unplugging it and waiting one minute before plugging it back in.
6. Broken Motor Wire Harness Or Speed Sensor Wires
Your LG washing machine is a complex device that’s made up of multiple parts, each of which needs a specific amount of power. That power is supplied by wires, which also carry instructions from the main control board to ensure that your machine works at its best.
Every wire in your LG washer is there for a reason. Deterioration or damage can cause issues with all of your unit’s functions, from the motor to the water supply. That’s why it’s important to have any damaged, frayed or exposed wires in your unit replaced immediately.
If you notice problems with your washing machine, specifically that it’s running slower than usual or there are strange noises coming from the motor, then it could be a symptom of a broken wire in the motor’s power supply.
When wires are damaged, they’ll usually break along their length — rather than just one section.
When this happens, the machine won’t spin as well and you could feel a grinding noise coming from within.
When LG washing machine breaks down, the first thing to do is disconnect the power source. Then, carefully inspect the connecting wires from the drum to the motor. If any of these wires show visible damage or corrosion, it’s best to replace them altogether — whether you want to buy a new cable set or fix the old ones.
7. Faulty Rotor Position Sensor
The speed sensor found in today’s LG washing machines is responsible for measuring the speed of a spinning drum — information that it relays to the main control board, so that the drum can be slowed or accelerated as necessary.
This sensor is connected to the motor and can usually be found attached to it. Note that this may differ slightly from model to model, so you’ll want to refer to your product’s user guide for more information.
If your LG washing machine stops spinning, it’s not necessarily a problem with the motor. It could be that the sensor is simply sending misleading information to the washer, causing it to spin at an uneven speed or to stop moving entirely.
LG washers have a sensor that monitors the drum and motor speed. If either of these speeds is outside of normal range, the sensor notifies the control board, which can then lock out the motor. If this happens, you will see an LE error code in the display panel.
Unfortunately, it’s possible that your sensor — the part that measures laundry load — is faulty. If so, your washer may be unaware of the load size and may not spin properly.
Taking care of your LG product is important, and part of that includes making sure that you have all the replacement parts you need for any situation. This sensor comes in handy when the machine is not sensing when the drum is turning and it can help reduce the vibration from happening on your LG washer.
This sensor should be replaced if there are signs of wear and tear or if you feel like it might need to be replaced.
8. Broken Drive Belt
When working properly, a washer’s rubber drive belt helps spin clothes, but as time goes on it may become worn or torn. In order for the washer to function properly, the drive belt needs to be replaced immediately.
Drive belts are often easy to inspect by eye: if the belt appears frayed or cracked and is no longer smooth and round, then it will need replacing.
9. Failed Motor Coupling
When LG washer motor is not spinning or functioning properly it can be for a number of reasons. Some of the most common reasons for motor failure include a failed motor coupling, drive pinion failure or bad motor bearings.
LG washer motor couplers age, especially when they’re frequently overloaded or shaken. When you inspect the coupling and find that it’s broken, don’t worry — this means it’s time for a replacement. An LG replacement will have your washer running like new again in no time!
10. Broken Door Latch
Your LG washer’s door latch is an extremely important feature that keeps your home, their family, and clothes safe. If signs of damage are found or the door latch fails, it needs to be replaced immediately.
A visual inspection of the machine can determine its health, while a multimeter can test its electrical progress — a multimeter tests how well current goes through wires by looking for continuity in a circuit.
LG washer is designed to prevent door-related accidents. If the door latch malfunctions, your washer will refuse to spin. This protects you against leaks and injury. If the latch breaks or has any problems with continuity, it will have to be replaced.
11. Worn Out Clutch
The clutch is one part of the washer that can stop your machine from spinning. It is there to connect the transmission to the tub, helping it gradually reach higher speeds as needed.
Over time your clutch can wear out, and when this happens it will no longer work. Since this is a complex part, we recommend using an expert for this repair
12. Faulty Motor Control Board
LG washers have an important component called the control board, which regulates all the features of the machine — but what if that component stops working? It can disrupt some of your washer’s main functions, including the spin cycle. To troubleshoot this problem, you’ll need to determine whether or not the control board has failed.
To determine if the motor has failed or if it is receiving power but refusing to turn, first examine the control board for burn out parts. If there is no visual damage that suggests a failure in the control board, feel around for loose wires or a loose connection at the motor.
If the control board has stopped working, you’ll have to replace it.
Hi there! I’m Sam Hendricks, and I’m a repair technician and expert. I created this website to help people like you save money and time by fixing your own appliances.
Over the years, I’ve seen people spend a lot of money on unnecessary repairs or replacements. That’s why I decided to share my expertise and create easy-to-follow guides for fixing appliances on your own.