Fact:

We all get frustrated when our Kenmore washer suddenly develops a fault and stops spinning.

Admit it:

You’re in this boat — seeking an easy solution to your broken machine.

News flash:

You are not alone. These issues are quite common – sometimes with very easy fixes.

Below is a simple guide to help you get your Kenmore washer to spin again.

Let’s dive in!

Kenmore Washer Not Spinning

If your Kenmore washer is not spinning, you can try these fixes. Balance the clothes in the wash tub or inspect the door latch for damages. Also, replace the lid switch if you notice a discontinuity, change the drive belt if it is broken, or repair the motor control board if it is damaged.

1. Check That the Wash Load Is Balanced

To begin with:

Overloading your washer can hinder your tub from spinning. The washing tub spins properly when you put the right number (or weight) of clothes in it at a time.

Ideally:

You should fill the washer up to 3/4 of its capacity to allow easy rotation. When the washing tub is full, it induces stress on the appliance and consumes more energy.

Also:

Your Kenmore washer won’t spin properly if you load it with many thick and heavy items altogether because the agitator only works effectively with clothes of varying thickness in the tub.

Failure to mix pieces of different sizes in the washer leaves them wet and more rumpled.

Therefore:

Carefully select your clothes before you throw them into the washer. Ultimately, you’ll get the best wash and spin when the items are uneven in size and thickness.

2. Ensure the Door Latch Is Not Faulty

Get this:

The door latch is essential because it holds the door of the washer in place during any cycle.

In addition:

A washer won’t work if the door isn’t completely and well closed.

So:

A bad door latch could be indicative of an electrical or mechanical problem.

If it’s the former, use a tester to check for continuity between the latch and the control board.

In this case:

The washer might not spin if the control board does not receive any signal that the door is closed and secure. To fix this, you can purchase a new switch to replace the bad one.

Conversely:

A mechanical problem often occurs when the latch is worn out due to frequent use. With worn-out parts, the only feasible solution is a replacement.

Pro Tip:

While you can attempt to fix this yourself, various parts of the latch are plastic and quite delicate, so you have to be extra careful.

Even better:

If you still have a valid warranty, consider using it. It’s best to contact Kenmore customer support for assistance.

3. Replace the Lid Switch if Faulty

First off:

The lid switch acts like a safety device that sends a signal to the control panel to initiate a spin. It’s a major part of the washer that facilitates tube agitation.

Now:

If you close the lid and the washer doesn’t spin, it’s either that the lid switch is faulty or something is obstructing the door from closing properly.

Whichever the case:

The circuit would be incomplete, and no spin would occur.

What’s the simple solution?

Well, get a replacement! Installation is very easy. All you have to do is:

• Step 1: Disconnect the washer from its power source.
• Step 2: Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the top bracket of the washer.
• Step 3: When the screws are out, unscrew the rear of the washer and gently remove the rear panel so that you can see the interior.

Note: Leave the panel connected to the washer compartment via wires and hoses. Only lift the panel off from the rear.

• Step 4: Locate the internal screws and remove them so you can easily detach the outer frame of the washer.
• Step 5: Remove the outer panels to reveal the tub and lid switch.
• Step 6: Unscrew the wires of the lid switch connected to the frame of the washer.
• Step 7: Take out the old lid switch and replace it with the new one.
• Step 8:  Reassemble the washer, following the same sequence in reverse order.

It really is that simple!

Remember:

Before you begin to unscrew any of the components, ensure to disconnect the washer completely from power to avoid electrocution.

4. Change the Drive Belt

Did you know?

A washer can’t spin without the drive belt?

Yes, it’s true!

Every washer has a drive belt that connects the motor to the washing tub. Therefore, this belt facilitates the mechanical agitation of the washer.

So:

If your Kenmore washer doesn’t spin, it could be that the drive belt is loose or broken.

Why?

The drive belt is generally subject to wear and tear by friction and could lose its tautness over time. In the worst case, it could break.

To solve this issue:

Get a new drive belt because you cannot repair it after damage.

Now:

How do you install the new belt?

• Step 1: Disconnect the washer from the power outlet.
• Step 2: Completely remove all the screws from the rear panel of the washer.
• Step 3: Gently remove the rear panel, untucking it from the top. You should see the drive motor and the rotor of the washing tube.
• Step 4: Rotate the washing tub rotor clockwise or counterclockwise to remove the old drive belt.
• Step 5: Attach the new drive belt to the motor and place it along the path of rotation of the washer tub.
• Step 6: Rotate the washer tub in the anticlockwise direction to let the belt sit properly. If you do this correctly, the belt should fit in perfectly and drive the two rotors effortlessly.
• Step 7: Couple the entire rear panel back and fix all the screws in their right positions.

And voila…

It couldn’t be easier.

5. Repair the Motor Control Board

Listen:

The motor control board is the powerhouse and brain box of your washer. It regulates cycles, water levels, agitations, and the entire operation of the washer.

As a result:

If the motor control board is faulty, it could affect many components, ultimately preventing the washer from working efficiently.

Now:

If spinning is one of the affected operations, not to worry, you can correct it with a simple fix.

First:

Ensure to get the exact model number of the control board.

It’s important because a motor control board with a specific model number is usually only compatible with a specific washer.

The fix?

Step 1: Unplug your washer from the power socket.

Step 2: With the right motor control board, you can proceed to remove the lower panel that houses the board casing.

Step 3: Unplug the wire harnesses from the motor control board housing and unscrew the board from its position.

Step 4: Replace it with your new board and couple the components back in the right order.

Simple, right?

Now:

If a replacement for the control board is unavailable, you should contact authorized specialists like Kenmore customer support to conduct a professional repair for you.

Most Affected Models

Fact:

It’s common for Kenmore washers to break down not because they’re not an excellent brand but because all appliances, regardless of the brand, develop a fault eventually.

But:

The following Kenmore washer models are more likely to have tubs that stop spinning:

1. Kenmore 80 Series

Fact:

The Kenmore 80 Series is one of the simplest top-load designs of the brand’s washers —with components that are very easy to fix or repair.

It has four different wash settings, from hand wash to heavy duty.

But:

Customer reviews say that the lid switch going bad is a major factor why the washer won’t spin.

2. Kenmore Series 110

Here’s the thing:

The Kenmore Series 110 is considered a “heavy-duty” top load washer, having powerful motors and a deep tub. It includes up to four wash cycles with varying temperatures and load combinations.

In addition:

It’s available in white, black, and tan, giving you options to select a color that could blend with your decor.

Sadly:

The washer is relatively loud and tends to stop prematurely during a wash, especially when heavy pieces are in the tub. This Kenmore washer’s failure to spin could be a result of unbalanced loads.

3. Kenmore Series 500

The Kenmore Series 500 is a durable model with simple and intuitive designs. It has a relatively large capacity that can wash up to 19 towels at a go.

Interestingly:

While it has good customer reviews, it is one of the models to have spinning problems.

4. Kenmore 600 Washer

The Kenmore 600 washer has great setting options to cater to all laundry needs. It has a simple appearance, which is perfect if you’re not going for something fancy.

Warning:

Clothes often get tangled in this washer as consumers say it eventually spins to a halt before completing a cycle. Thus, it’s important to balance the load to avoid this.

5. Kenmore Series 700

The Kenmore Series 700 is the go-to top loader for deep laundry with its large tub capacity. It can handle a winter-temp sleeping bag and a king-size quilt.

It appeals to many consumers and is impressively durable.

However:

Critical customer reviews say that the motor control board periodically develops faults. This largely contributes to why it’s one of the models with spinning issues.

6. Kenmore Elite

The Kenmore Elite is a sophisticated model with exquisite LED touch controls with different speed options, water temperature, and custom cycles.

Unlike most Kenmore washers, this one comes with a front-load design. With its Steam Treat feature, you can wash more in less time.

Unfortunately:

This model ranks on our list of affected models based on customer reviews.

Other models with a likelihood of this spinning problem are the Kenmore 70, the Kenmore 90 Series, the Kenmore 300 Series, the Kenmore Series 100, and Kenmore Series 800.

Conclusion

We’ve all been there:

Having to put your clothes in your Kenmore washer for some hours, hoping to return to a sparkling laundry. Only to find that your clothes have been sitting in soapy water for the longest time.

Even worse:

It can be frustrating when you want to quickly clean up your favorite shirt, and the washer won’t spin.

But here’s the silver lining:

You can use the following troubleshooting options to get your Kenmore washer agitating at full speed again:

• Ensure the door latch is not faulty
• Replace the lid switch if faulty
• Change the drive belt

Or any of the other solutions provided above…

To sum it up:

These tips above should get your Kenmore washer working again.

Regardless:

Do well to contact Kenmore customer support if you have difficulty conducting these fixes. You don’t want to permanently damage any of the components in the process.

All in all:

Let us know if you were successful in fixing your Kenmore washer that won’t spin. Don’t forget to give us feedback and share your concerns in the comment section below.

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Frequently Asked Questions