Maytag Washer Won’t Spin? Here’s What to Do

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Fred's Appliance Academy
May 4, 2021
Washer Training

If your Maytag washer won’t spin, this is the article for you. To find the problem and fix it, check each of the components listed below, and hopefully you’ll find out what is causing it.

This guide covers most Maytag washer models, including:

7MMPD6634TQ0

7MMPD6845TM0

7MMPL6000TW0

7MMPM0040VQ0

7MMPM0060VM0

7MMPM0060VM1

7MMPS0070VM0

7MMPS0070VM1

A101

A102

A102S

A103

A103S

A104

MTW5620TQ1

MTW5700TQ0

MTW5707TQ0

MTW5720TQ0

MTW5721TQ0

MTW5730TQ0

MTW5770TQ0

Check the Lid Switch Assembly

The lid switch assembly stops the washer from spinning when the lid is not closed properly. When it becomes faulty, your Maytag washer won’t spin. To test the lid switch, you’ll need a multimeter.

Here’s how to check it:

  1. Make sure the power is switched off.
  2. Locate the lid switch (check your manual if necessary).
  3. Test the lid switch for continuity with your multimeter.
  4. If the test shows the switch has continuity, then it is fine, and you can move on to checking the drive belt. However, if it fails the continuity test, you will have to replace the switch.

Inspect the Drive Belt

The drive belt helps the washer to spin around, and when it becomes faulty, it will need to be replaced.

Here’s how to check the drive belt:

  1. Make sure the washer is turned off.
  2. Locate the drive belt – you’ll have to remove the top and side panels.
  3. Inspect the belt for any signs of damage and that it is on the pulleys correctly.
  4. If it is damaged, it will need to be replaced. If it’s not damaged, move on to checking the next component.

Inspect the Motor Coupling

The next component to check is the motor coupling. The coupling is what connects the motor to the transmission in the washer.

Here’s how to check if it is damaged:

  1. Ensure that the power is still turned off.
  2. Locate the motor coupling and check to see if it is damaged or broken.
  3. If broken, it will need to be replaced. If it is fine, move on to checking the door latch.

Test the Door Latch

The door latch makes sure the door on your Maytag washer stays closed when it is operating. When it opens, the washer won’t spin.

To check the door latch:

  1. Check your manual to find out if you have a mechanical door latch or an electronic one.
  2. Make sure the power is switched off.
  3. If your washer has a mechanical door latch, you can manually check that it is working by checking if the door can shut properly when you turn your washer on to a cycle. If you have an electrical door latch, you’ll need to check it for continuity with a multimeter.
  4. To check your electrical door latch with the multimeter, you’ll have to test the switches in the door latch for continuity.
  5. If the multimeter test shows one or more of the switches don’t have continuity, they need to be replaced. However, if they do have continuity, you can move on to checking the motor control board.

Check the Motor Control Board

The motor control board supplies power to the motor. If it becomes faulty, your washer won’t spin.

Here’s how to check if it is faulty or not:

  1. Make sure the power is still switched off.
  2. Locate the control board and inspect it for signs of burned-out components.
  3. If you find burned-out components, then this means it’s defective and needs to be replaced. If not, move on to checking the clutch.

Check the Clutch

The clutch connects the transmission and the inner tub. Its role is to help the tub to spin to the speed it’s required to. If it becomes faulty, your washer won’t spin.

To check the clutch, you need to:

  1. Turn the washer on a cycle.
  2. Check if the tub is rotating around at all:
    1. When it doesn’t rotate at all, it’s likely the clutch is worn out.
    2. If it rotates around but only intermittently, this is also a good sign the clutch needs to be replaced.
    3. If the tub rotates around normally, then this means it is not the source of the problem.
  3. If the clutch is worn out, you’ll need to replace it.

Check the Drive Pulley

The next possible cause of your Maytag washer not spinning is a worn-out or faulty drive pulley. The pulley works with the drive belt to make the washer rotate during a wash cycle.

To check the drive pulley:

  1. Locate the drive pulley – you’ll have to take the top and side panels off to locate it (check your manual).
  2. Once you have access to the drive pulley, you need to check that the drive belt is going around it correctly and if the pulley is worn out or damaged.
  3. If the drive pulley is defective, it will need to be replaced. If it is working correctly, move on to checking the next component.

Inspect the Rotor Assembly

The rotor works in conjunction with the stator to make the drum spin. The rotor has several magnets on it that when damaged will stop the tub from spinning.

Here’s how to check the rotor:

  1. Locate the rotor.
  2. Once located, you need to inspect the magnets for any signs of damage as well as the rest of the rotor component.
  3. If you find any part of the rotor is damaged or faulty, the whole unit will have to be replaced.

Check the Stator Assembly

Another possible cause of your Maytag not spinning is a faulty stator assembly. The stator works with the rotor to help the tub rotate.

To check the stator assembly, you need to:

  1. Locate the stator – you can find it next to the rotor.
  2. Inspect the windings on the stator for any signs of damage or general wear and tear.
  3. If the windings are damaged, the stator will need to be replaced.

Check the Drive Motor

The next component to check is the drive motor. When it stops working correctly, your washer won’t spin.

Here’s how to check it:

  1. Turn the power off at the wall, and then check that the power is getting to the drive motor by testing it with a multimeter.
  2. If the power source is ok, turn the washer on and check if you can hear a humming sound coming from the drive motor or if it is overly noisy when running. If it is overly loud or is making a humming sound, the drive motor should be replaced.
  3. Once replaced, turn the washer on and check if the problem has been solved.

Replace the Transmission

If you still haven’t found the cause of your Maytag washer not spinning, the final fix you can consider is to replace the transmission. This is very rarely the cause of washers not working, but it can happen. You may decide at this point, however, that it is best to just purchase a new washer.

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