Samsung washer not spinning? We know the best ways to find out why (and what to do about it!)

Find out how to locate the problem when your Samsung washer isn't spinning

Not many people know that Samsung started life in 1938 as a one-man grocery store in South Korea! But the journey from these humble beginnings to the world’s second-largest tech company has certainly not been easy.

They entered the electronics industry in 1969 manufacturing black and white televisions, before branching into washing machines and fridges in the early 1970s, mass-producing the color television in the mid-1970s, and becoming early adopters of a digital program in the mid-1990s.

Now one of the leading smartphone manufacturers in the world, with the Galaxy S series in direct competition with the Apple iPhone, the Samsung washer is also a brand leader

According to the recent J D Power laundry appliance satisfaction study, the front-loading Samsung washer was ranked the highest by customers, and Samsung was named as one of the most reliable brands by Yale Appliances.

It’s fair to say a Samsung washer will be a good and reliable workhorse for even the biggest of families, but unfortunately, as with all electronics, things can (and often do) go wrong. We’re here to help you work through some of the most common Samsung washer issues and help you to resolve them quickly and easily.

What are the different types of washing machines?

Washing machines are undoubtedly one the most important appliances in the majority of homes. Without washers, the task of doing laundry would be time-consuming, laborious, and hard work. With a washer, you can simply dump your dirty laundry into the drum, add detergent and pick your cycle – simple!

There are four main types of washing machines:

• Top load agitator – traditional machines that have stood the test of time, featuring a lid at the top which you can open to reveal a long agitator in the middle. During a washing cycle, the clothes swish against the agitator to get the clothes clean
• Front load washer – Instead of using an agitator to wash the clothes, front-loading machines clean clothes by relying on the laundry items rubbing against each other to clean them
• Top load impeller – Top load impellers are relatively new washing machine models that use an impeller at the bottom of the appliance to move the clothes back and forth
• Washer/dryers – A washer dryer is a washing machine and tumble dryer all rolled into one. They’re the perfect space-saving option and ideal for smaller homes.

How do washing machines work?

The basic function of a washing machine is to move your clothes about in soapy water before spinning them quickly to remove as much of the moisture as possible.

When you think of the inside of a washing machine, you probably imagine one big tub – but there are actually two tubs, one inside the other.

The inner tub

The inner tub is the one you can see when you open the door or lid of your washing machine. It is punctuated with holes to allow the water in and out.

The outer tub

The outer tub seals all the water and is bolted to the body of the washer. It’s attached to the gearbox, which is attached to a metal frame. This frame also holds the motor, gearbox, and concrete weight.

These two tubs are the most important elements of the machine, but other features include:

• A thermostat that tests the temperature of the incoming water
• A heating element that warms the water up to the required temperature
• An electrically operated pump that removes water from the tub when the wash has finished
• A programmer that makes the washer go through a series of steps in the right order, according to the selected cycle
• Pipes with valves that let clean water in and dirty water out

So why is my Samsung washer not spinning?

Your Samsung washer contains sensors in the machine that either slow or stop the spin cycle if it detects an issue – if you identify this issue, you will most likely resolve the problem with the spin.

The key factors leading to an issue with the sensor include:

• Unbalanced loads which make it much harder for the tub to spin. The error messages UB and UR on a Samsung washer signify an unbalanced load and could be because the washer is lopsided or the load inside is uneven. This can be rectified by carrying out the following steps:
  • Adjust the leveling legs until the machine is completely level
  • Redistribute the washing inside the tub
  • Avoid over-loading or under-loading the machine – you should be able to place a hand width way comfortably between the laundry and the top of the tub. If you are washing a large single item on its own, add some additional items to the load to prevent it from gathering on one side of the tub
  • Make sure you are using the correct cycle for the washing load you are trying to wash, and adjust if not

• Dirty pump filters which can clog up your machine and cause issues with spinning and draining. Pump filters should be cleaned and maintained at least once a month to keep your machine fully operational.

• Suspension springs have worn out and should be adjusted or replaced ASAP. Refer to your manufacturer's guide or contact a washer repair person for advice.

• Faulty drain pipe which is responsible for emptying the dirty water after it has washed your clothes. When the drain pipe gets clogged it is unable to empty the machine and the machine will be unable to move on to the spin cycle.

• A broken plastic bracket that could be causing your Samsung washer to get stuck on the spin cycle. You can repair this yourself by using a zip-tie to fix the bracket and resolve the issue.

• You’re using the wrong detergent which is producing too many suds and the sud-sensor will prevent the washer from reaching the required spin speeds. Always use high efficiency (HE) detergents that will produce fewer suds in your Samsung washer.

How to run a diagnostic test on your Samsung washer

Method 1 – Front loading machines

1. Make sure your Samsung washer is plugged in
2. Press the power button so that the display lights up
3. Press the delay and soil level buttons simultaneously, the machine will beep and display 0000
4. Press the spin button once and the display should now display ‘D’
5. You are now in diagnostic mode – scroll through to read all of the codes

Method 2 – Top loading machines

1. Make sure your machine is plugged in
2. Press the power button to turn the machine on
3. Press and hold the temp button until all the lights turn on
4. Some lights will flash – the flashing indicates any errors the machine has

To summarise

For anyone who has been without their washer for a few days, you will know just how hard it is to launder clothes by hand. Whilst washing machines look like quite complicated machines, their basic mechanism is quite simple, and issues will usually be down to just a few key components.

The spin cycle is essential for removing as much of the water as possible during the wash cycle, and when this fails your machine will be unusable. Therefore, identifying the problem and resolving it as quickly as possible is essential to keep your clothes clean and your life a little easier.

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