Frigidaire Washer Not Spinning? Try These 5 Fixes

Your washing machine employs a spinning mechanism to wash and dry the clothes. It is essential to its operation. So, when you see your Frigidaire washer not spinning, does that mean the washer has stopped working?

A Frigidaire washer can stop spinning if its drive belt is broken. A defect in the door lock switch can also cause this issue. Finally, a problem with the stator and drive motor can also stop the washer from spinning.

Now that we know what ails your washer let’s go ahead and try fixing the issue in this article.

Why is My Frigidaire Washer Not Spinning?

There is more than one reason for a Frigidaire to stop spinning. As the washer is a complicated piece of equipment, there is more than one part working in tandem to make it work. If one of these stops working, then the washer will not spin.

• Defective Door Lock Switch – The door lock switch can malfunction, which stops the washer from starting. 
• Misaligned or Torn Drive Belt – The washer’s drive belt can tear or fall apart from the line, causing the washer to no longer spin.
• Malfunctioning Motor Control Board – The circuit that controls the motor can also get damaged. Voltage spikes can short out the circuit components, rendering them useless. 
• Drive Motor Not Working – The motor runs the entire washer unit. If this fails, the washer will stop spinning.

Your washer will not experience all these faults at once. So, troubleshoot the components one by one until you find out which needs a replacement.

Troubleshoot & Fix a Frigidaire Washer That Is Not Spinning

To fix your Frigidaire washer that refuses to spin, first, turn it off and remove the power plug. Then, go through the troubleshooting methods one by one.

Not every fix will work for you, so you need to determine the faulty components sequentially.

1. Check the Door Lock Switch

Every washer employs a door lock switch to ensure the door is sealed properly before it starts the wash cycle.

If the door lock switch is damaged, the washer cannot complete the circuit, which will cause the washer to not start spinning.

The resistance of the lock switch can indicate whether it is working or not. You can use a multimeter to measure this and compare your result with that of a working unit.

A working switch has a reading in the range of 1500-1600 ohms. If your reading is higher or lower than this value, then you need to replace the door lock switch. This is usually present underneath the front panel’s rubber covering.

You can buy a replacement switch for 30-100 dollars depending on where you buy it.

2. Inspect the Drive Belt

The washer rotates using the drive belt, which is connected to the motor assembly. As a moving part, it can tear due to continuous friction present between the drum assembly and the belt.

There are instances where the belt falls apart from the line, causing the washer to no longer spin.

To check this, remove the screws from the back panel and take it off. Check if the belt assembly is in a proper position. If the belt has come off from its line, that’s what stops the washer from spinning.

If there is a tear, then you need to buy a new replacement belt and install it. But if the belt has simply come off from the rotating wheel, you need to pull and place it back to its original position.

Then, turn the wheel and see if the belt rotates properly with the drum unit.

A Frigidaire washer belt can be found anywhere from 15 to 50 dollars. 

This is a relatively inexpensive component, so check the price if a retailer is overcharging you.

3. Check the Motor Control Board

The motor control board controls the electrical signals sent to the washer motor to enable it to run different modes. If there is any problem with it, the entire washer will refuse to run.

You can tell the board is dead if you see burnt marks on the circuit PCB. This can happen when there is a voltage spike.

Control Boards usually cannot be repaired; instead, you have to purchase a replacement board and install it in place. 

Removing the old board from its housing and replacing it usually fixes the issue.

The control board is usually found at the bottom of the washer, under the drum unit. You need to open the front panels to access it.

Replacement Control Boards are quite expensive. It can cost you 150-300 dollars depending on the washer’s model.

4. Inspect the Drive Motor

The drive motor of the washer controls the entire wash cycle. Because it rotates the belt that moves the drum assembly, washing your clothes in the process. If the motor fails, the washer will not spin.

A consistent humming, that generally indicates the washer is working properly. But if you hear loud sounds, that may indicate a problem with the motor.

You can also test the motor with a multimeter and see if the resistance readings are appropriate. The table below has readings from a working motor.

Pin Position	Resistance / Ω
1 and 2	4 – 6
1 and 3	4 – 6
2 and 3	4 – 6
4 and 5	105 – 130

If the reading does not stay in the range, the motor has gone bad. Then the only fix is to replace it with a new unit.

You will find the motor in its enclosure by removing the back panel. Simply remove it and install a new unit in its place and the washer should start spinning normally.

A washing machine’s motor can set you back 200-300 dollars. Keep this in mind when you send it for repair.

FAQs

If there are any further questions related to your washer not spinning, this section will attempt to answer them.

Conclusion

If you follow the above methods, you should be able to fix your Frigidaire washer. But if the problem continues, contact the support team and let them know of it.

For units that are still covered under warranty, you can get them fixed without any charge.

So, follow the troubleshooting guide and get your washer back working in no time.