Many components come into play when the washer's spin basket or agitator moves, and a problem with any of them could prevent the washer from agitating or spinning.
For top-load, direct-drive washers (washers whose lid doesn't lock during the wash portion of the cycle), worn agitator dogs can prevent the agitator from moving. Troubleshooting the washing machine agitator may fix the problem. A broken agitator or a failed gear case can prevent the washer from agitating. A bad clutch, worn clutch band or broken drive block could prevent the basket from spinning. A broken motor coupler, failed lid switch or bad timer can prevent this type of washer from spinning or agitating.
On top-load, vertical modular washers (washers whose lid is always locked during the entire wash cycle), a failed shifter assembly or worn drive belt can prevent the washer from agitating or spinning the wash load. Watch our video on how to troubleshoot a top-load washer that won't drain or spin for solutions for agitation and spin problems on both types of top-load washers.
Front-load washers spin or tumble the load at a slower speed to agitate the garments in the wash portion of the cycle. A broken door lock, bad motor control board or failed main electronic control board can prevent a front-load washer from tumbling. A front-load washer won't spin if it can't drain out the water so a failed drain pump can prevent this type of washer from spinning. A broken shock absorber can also prevent a front-load washer from spinning because the control will detect excessive tub vibration when a shock can't help stabilize the tub.
Electronically-controlled washers often display an error code when the washer agitate or spin the load. If your washer displays a code, look it up on our washer error code charts and follow the troubleshooting advice for that code to fix your washer.