GE Washer Spin Cycle Problems

This is the ultimate guide for how to fix a GE washer that is not spinning. Simply start at the top of this guide and work your way down until you find the cause of the problem and fix it.

Step 1 – Inspect the lid switch

The most common reason GE washers stop spinning is a faulty lid switch. The purpose of the switch is to monitor if your washer door is closed, so the main control board knows to let the washer cycle start.

This is how to inspect the lid switch:

1. Switch the washer off or unplug it.
2. Locate the lid switch (check your GE washer’s user manual if you’re not sure where it is).
3. Test the lid switch with a multimeter for continuity.
4. If the test shows the switch has continuity, it’s working correctly, and you can move on to step 2. If the switch doesn’t have continuity, replace it.
5. Once the new switch has been installed, check if your GE washer can now spin. If not, proceed to step 2.

Step 2 – Inspect the drive belt

The next step is to inspect the drive belt to see if it’s attached to your washer’s drum correctly.

Here’s how to check the drive belt:

1. Unplug your GE washer or switch the power off.
2. To access the drive belt, remove the top and side panels off your washing machine (consult your user manual for instructions on how to do this if you’re not sure).
3. Locate the drive belt and inspect it for any signs of wear and tear. Also, make sure it goes through the pulleys correctly.
4. If the drive belt or the pulleys are defective, replace them. If fine, move on to step 3.
5. Once the new drive belt and/or pulleys are installed, turn your washer on, turn it to a cycle, and check if it now spins. If not, proceed to step 3.

Step 3 – Inspect the motor coupling

The next step is to inspect the motor coupling and if defective replace it. The motor coupling connects the washing machine’s motor to the transmission so if it becomes defective your GE washing machine might not spin.

Here’s how to check the motor coupling:

1. Unplug your GE washer or switch the power off.
2. Locate the motor coupling (consult your user manual for instructions on how to do this if you’re not sure).
3. Inspect the motor coupling for any signs of wear and tear.
4. If the motor coupling is defective, replace it. If fine, move on to step 4.
5. Once the new motor coupling is installed, turn your washer on, turn it to a cycle, and check if it now spins. If not, proceed to step 4.

Step 4 – Inspect the door latch

The next step is to ensure the door latch is working correctly, and if not, replace it. Depending on your specific GE washer model, it will either have a mechanical door latch or an electric one.

Here’s how to inspect the door latch:

1. If you have a mechanical door latch, check if the washer door closes properly and the latch clicks into place. If not, it will need to be replaced. If the door does close correctly, move on to step 5.
2. If you have an electric door latch, turn the power off to your washer, locate the door latch and check it with a multimeter for continuity. If the switch has continuity, it’s working correctly, and you can proceed to step 5.
3. If you do replace the door latch, turn your washer back on and check if the problem has been solved. If not, proceed to step 5.

Step 5 – Inspect the motor control board

The next step is to inspect, and if necessary, replace the motor control board. When the motor control board stops working, the power supply to your GE washer is interrupted and your washer won’t be able to spin.

Here’s how to inspect the motor control board:

1. Turn the power off to your GE washer if you haven’t already.
2. Locate the motor control board (if you’re not sure of its location, check your user manual).
3. Once located, check the control board for any burned-out components. If damaged, replace it. If fine, proceed to step 6.
4. Once the new board has been installed, turn your washer on and see if it now spins. If not, proceed to step 6.

Step 6 – Inspect the clutch

The next step is to inspect, and if necessary, replace the clutch in your GE washer. The purpose of the clutch is to help the drum to spin around, so if it becomes defective, your washer won’t spin.

Here’s how to inspect the clutch:

1. Turn your GE washer onto a wash cycle.
2. When the washer starts up, check if the drum is rotating around. If not, this indicates the clutch has worn out and will need to be replaced. If the drum is rotating, proceed to step 7.
3. Once the new clutch has been installed, turn your washer back on and check if the problem has been solved. If not, proceed to step 7.

Step 7 – Inspect the rotor

The next step is to inspect, and if necessary, replace the rotor. The rotor is another component in your GE washer that helps it to spin, so if it becomes defective, your washer will stop spinning.

Here’s how to inspect the rotor:

1. Turn the power off to your GE washer.
2. Locate the rotor (consult your user manual if you’re not sure where it is).
3. Once located, inspect the rotor for any signs of damage. Pay special attention to the magnets on it as if these get damaged the whole unit will stop working.
4. If the rotor is fine, proceed to step 8. If damaged, replace it.
5. Once the new rotor has been installed, check if your GE washer now works. If not, proceed to step 8.

Step 8 – Inspect the stator

The next step in our guide for how to fix a GE washer not spinning is to inspect the stator. If it’s damaged, it will need to be replaced.

Here’s how to inspect the stator:

1. Ensure that the power to your GE washer is still switched off.
2. Locate the stator (check your user manual if you’re not sure where it is).
3. Inspect the windings on the stator for any signs of damage.
4. If damaged, replace the stator. If fine, proceed to step 9.
5. Once the new stator is installed, check if your GE washer can now spin. If not, proceed to step 9.

Step 9 – Inspect the drive motor

The final step is to inspect, and if necessary, replace the drive motor. The drive motor helps the drum to spin during a wash cycle so if it becomes faulty your washer will not be able to spin.

Here’s how to inspect the drive motor:

1. Ensure that the power to your GE washer is still switched off.
2. Locate the drive motor (check your user manual if you’re not sure where it is).
3. Once located, test the drive motor with a multimeter.
4. If the motor doesn’t have continuity, replace it.
5. If the motor does have continuity, turn the power to your washing machine back on and then turn it onto a cycle. If you can hear a humming sound coming from the motor, this also means it needs to be replaced.
6. Once the new motor has been installed, turn your washer back on and check if it can now spin.