When your Hotpoint washing machine spin cycle is either slow or not spinning, your laundry day gets much more complicated.
You have soggy clothes that have no hope of drying. Not only that, but it looks like an expensive call to a technician is inevitable. Before you pick up the phone because you have a broken washing machine, do some troubleshooting.
There are some prevalent reasons why your machine isn’t spinning. Some common causes are an unbalanced load, a faulty lid switch assembly, and even something as simple as using the wrong detergent.
In this article, we will go over many more common causes with some tips on how to fix them yourself so you can save yourself a call to a professional. Otherwise, check out washing machine recommendations here.
7 possible causes
Unfortunately, there are several reasons why your Hotpoint washing machine is not spinning. I say, unfortunately, because it means that you will have to go through a series of troubleshooting tips to narrow it down until you find the one that is the cause so you can fix it without calling in a technician.
Let’s go through the potential causes one by one.
1 – Overloading of the machine
Overloading the machine is a common cause of a washing machine not spinning. When the drum is too full, it can throw off balance and cause it to wobble or spin slowly due to the uneven load. Then, the washer shuts off in the middle of the cycle and causes it to stop spinning.
Remember that you must achieve balance when loading the washer and should load evenly every time. Remove some of the clothes and try again if it stops in the middle of a cycle.
2 – Blockage in the drain hose or filter
The drain hose removes water from the machine; the washer cannot spin if it is blocked. The clothes will be too wet since there will still be some water in the tub which will cause the drain cycle to finish early.
You should locate the drain hose and see if it is kinked or bent, causing a partial blockage. If it isn’t, then you have to look for other jams. Start by shutting off the power supply by disconnecting the power cord from the power outlet or turning off the circuit breaker.
Then, look at the drain filter and pump behind the service flap at the bottom of every Hotpoint washing machine. Remove any obstructions from the drainage filter, then reassemble, plug the power cord back in, and restart the Hotpoint washer.
3 – Malfunctioning lid switch or door latch
The lid switch is responsible for detecting whether the lid is open or not properly closed, and if it is not functioning correctly, the machine will not spin. Shutting down the spin usually happens due to normal wear and tear, eventually affecting most washing machines. If you have a model with a side-loading drum, the door lock serves the same function. Ensure the switch is securely in place, check if the door lock is dirty, and clean it if needed.
Check the washer door and see if it is closed properly. If it closes but is loose, it will likely shake when the Hotpoint washer is in the fast spin cycle and cause it to shut off. You must replace the lid switch assembly if it is a defective door lock. When the lid switch assembly fails, you will know by using a multimeter to see if there is any continuity.
4 – Faulty belt or drive motor
The drive belt is responsible for connecting the motor to the drum, and if it is damaged or worn, the machine cannot spin. If you detected a burning smell before the spin cycle shut off, this is almost certainly the cause since the belt is made of rubber and will burn if the drive motor fails.
Look for where the drive belt and drive motor are located on the back of the Hotpoint washer to see if it is loose or broken. You can replace the drive belt with a new one if it is loose. Check if the drive motor has seized. Use a multimeter to check if there is continuity in the motor.
5 – Worn or damaged motor coupling
The motor coupling is responsible for connecting the drive motor to the washing machine transmission, and if it is damaged or worn, the machine will not be able to spin. It’s an infrequent problem but one to look out for.
Check where the motor coupling connects to the transmission to see if it is lacking lubrification and add some. If you see any damage, then it needs to be replaced. Refer to the owner’s manual where to find the motor coupling.
6 – Faulty control board or timer
The motor control board is responsible for controlling the machine’s various functions. It will be hard to see if there is any visible damage to the motor control board short of it having a burnt-out circuit.
You should check for any loose connections in the control board and ensure that it is getting sufficient power. You’ll need a multimeter to check the connections leading away from the control board to determine whether there is a problem.
7 – Faulty bearings
Several different bearings in washing machines support the drum, which holds the clothes during the spinning cycle. The bearings allow the washer drum to rotate smoothly and quietly, reducing friction between the drum and the machine. If you hear a loud noise during the spin cycle of your Hotpoint washing machine frequently and then it stops mid-cycle eventually, then the likely cause is a faulty bearing.
Sleeve bearings are often used in Hotpoint washing machines and tend to wear out quickly. Some connect to the outer tub, and some to the inner tub. When the inner tub has faulty bearings, it is usually costly to fix since the entire machine needs to be disassembled to get to the inner tub.
The outer tub sleeve bearings are difficult to replace, so I recommend getting a new outer tub to save money on labour.
Hotpoint washing machine not spinning fast
If you notice that your clothes are still damp when the wash cycle has finished, then the spin cycle isn’t fast enough. The washing machine drum has to spin exceptionally fast so the centrifugal force will whisk the water away from the clothes.
When it doesn’t spin fast enough, it will leave too much water in the clothing.
Most of the time that this happens, it’s because of an overloaded machine. You are likely putting too many clothes into the drum, which struggles when saturated with water.
The solution is to remove some of the clothing from the drum and then go through the spin cycle again.
If it spins as you would expect, then your problem is solved. Otherwise, it could be that the water is not draining properly, which weighs down the drum since the clothing is still wet. See some of the above troubleshooting tips to see about fixing it.
Hotpoint washing machine noise when spinning
Luckily, a Hotpoint washing machine will give you a hint that there is a problem. However, you have some significant issues when that hint is a washing machine that makes a loud noise when spinning.
There are several reasons for the loud noise, and most involve getting a technician to sort it out. There are two different potential causes of making the noise that allows for a DIY fix.
The first is that the load needs to be balanced. If the noise only happens sporadically, then this could be a likely culprit, and you only have to reduce the number of clothes you wash at once.
The next potential cause is a machine that needs to be level. If you hear a loud banging noise and the machine moves out of place, it is likely because the machine is not firmly on the floor. The machine needs to be level to function properly. Some devices will not start or turn off in the middle of the spin cycle if the machine is too far off level.
Some other causes are more complicated to fix and can be pretty costly. Here are some examples:
- Faulty washing machine bearing – This tub bearing keeps the tub spinning smoothly. When this bearing is defective, it makes the spinning drum noisy and needs to be replaced. A repair to replace the bearings must be done by a technician and can be costly.
- Machine rear drum with faulty bearing – These bearings can become faulty and are sold separately when they fail. However, you may also need to replace the outer drum and bearings. A new outer drum will have the bearings already installed. Either way, you need a technician to handle this.
- Faulty tub seal and bearing kit – If you hear a loud noise and there is a leak under the machine near where the washing machine transmission is located, then a faulty tub seal needs to be replaced. Since most of the washer must be disassembled to fix this, you will need it professionally repaired.
Unfortunately, a chronically loud Hotpoint washing machine will not be a cheap fix. It is often one of the bad bearings that requires a complex disassembly to replace them.
FAQ about a Hotpoint washing machine not spinning
Q: Can I fix the problem myself or call a professional?
You can do a DIY fix for a few of the problems listed above, such as not overloading the Hotpoint washer, replacing the door lock, or clearing a blocked pump that made the washer stop spinning. However, it is recommended to call a technician with experience with Hotpoint models to come and do the repair, so it is done correctly. You also risk voiding a warranty if you attempt to fix it and cause damage.
Q: How can I prevent my washing machine from not spinning in the future?
The first thing to do is to ensure you are not using the wrong detergent that could cause the washer to go off balance or to have water in the tub still. You can also stop overloading the washer, so the bearings don’t wear out prematurely. Regular maintenance and check-ups by professionals can help prevent future problems.
Q: How long can I expect my washing machine to last after the bearings start making a lot of noise?
When you hear loud noises while the washer is spinning, it is a matter of time before the bearings ultimately give out. The lifespan of a washing machine after the bearings start wearing out can vary depending on the severity of the wear and the machine’s overall condition. Sometimes, the machine may continue to function, but the noise worsens over time. The best thing to do is to have a professional take a look and try to fix it, so you don’t end up with a broken washer.
Q: My washing machine won’t spin but the drum is turning, what could be the issue?
This could be caused by a problem with the transmission or the clutch. It could also be caused by a problem with the timer or the control board. If the clutch makes noise then this is surely the issue. This problem could be caused by a problem with the drive motor or the basket drive
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Final thoughts
When your Hotpoint washer stops spinning, then, unfortunately, your laundry day is going to be a bit more complicated than normal. If you go through these troubleshooting tips then hopefully you manage to fix it yourself. However, in many cases, you will need to call in a professional. Although a Hotpoint washer is not the top of the line when it comes to washers, it should last you several years before it needs replacing.
