GE Washer Not Spinning? How To Fix It

If you’ve spent the extra money to purchase a high-end appliance like a GE washer, you expect it to function properly. Unfortunately, even reliable brands like GE can experience faults and performance issues. It’s just a fact of life!

Before you get discouraged and call in a professional technician, however, it’s worthwhile troubleshooting this issue with your GE washer yourself. A few causes have relatively simple fixes that even a novice DIYer can complete. With potential issues ranging from a faulty lid switch to a problem with your loading method, the causes of a spin issue can be varied. Read on to find out the specific cause of your issue. 

This guide applies to all popular models of GE washers, including:

CATL160RBL

CATL260RBL

GTWN2800D1WW

GTWN4250D0WS

GTWN4250D1WS

GTWN4250M1WS

GTWN4950L0WS

WASR3110W0AA

WASR3110W0WW

WBSR1060T2AA

WBSR1060T2WW

WBVH6240FW

WHDSR109J5WW

WHDSR315DAWW

WHDSR316G0WW

WHDSR316G1WW

WHRE5550K2WW

WJRE5550K2WW

WJSR2080T2WW

WJSR2080T5WW

WPRE6150K2WT

Unbalanced or Overloaded Drum

The first place to start when your GE washer fails to spin is to check the load. If the drum is overloaded or if the clothing has clumped in one area, then the drum can become unbalanced during the spin cycle. Your GE washer will sense that it isn’t balanced and will stop the cycle to prevent damage to your machine. If this is the cause of your GE washer’s spin issues, it will also display error code 26.  Here’s how to fix this issue and prevent it from occurring again:

• Check the drum to see if the clothing is bunched on one side. If it is, distribute the clothing evenly around the drum. You may have to do this multiple times to complete the load. 
• If the load appears overly large, remove some items and put them in a bucket, then restart the current cycle. Wash the removed items later in a second cycle. 
• To prevent the unbalanced load issue from occurring, follow your washer’s recommendations for load size. Exceeding the maximum load increases the likelihood of this problem occurring. 
• When washing heavier items like towels or blankets, make sure you don’t combine them with lighter, delicate items, as this can lead to the heavier items clumping together. 

Clogged Filter

In front-loading GE washers, a blocked filter can cause the drum to stop spinning. If too much lint, hair, or other debris builds up in the filter, the drum can’t drain properly. If the washer senses excessive water in the drum, it will either stop mid spin cycle or prevent the spin cycle from starting. If this is your issue, you’ll need to drain the excess water in the drum and clean the debris out of the filter. To do this:

• Locate the filter. It is behind an access panel on the bottom front of your washer. The panel can be removed with either a flat-head screwdriver or a coin. 
• Make sure you have a shallow pan and some towels on hand to soak up any water. 
• Angle the pour spout so that the water will be directed into your pan. 
• Slowly unscrew the filter so that the water doesn’t all pour out at once. If a lot of water is in the drum, you may have to empty your pan several times to drain the drum completely. 
• Once the water stops flowing, pull the filter all the way out. 
• Remove all lint and debris from the filter, then rinse the filter thoroughly under running water. 
• Put the filter back in place and replace the access panel. 
• Run a test cycle to make sure your washer now properly spins and drains.

Faulty Lid Switch

In GE top loader washers, a lid switch issue can prevent your machine from spinning. Your GE washer can sense when the lid is open and will disable the spin cycle to prevent splashing and potential injuries. If the lid switch is damaged or faulty, it may be sensing that the lid is open even when it isn’t. Here’s what to do:

• Open and close the lid of your GE washer. You should hear an audible click when the lid switch engages. 
• If you can’t hear the click, inspect the switch. It may have grime or debris stuck in it that is preventing it from functioning. If it does, clean the switch and check if it’s now closing properly. 
• If the switch appears damaged, it will need to be replaced. Source a replacement part online that’s compatible with your model of GE washer.
• Remove the faulty switch and put the new one in its place. Consult your GE manual to ensure you do this correctly. 
• Once the new switch is installed, run a test cycle to check if the washer is spinning properly.

Blocked Drain Hose

Similar to how a clogged filter can impede drainage and interfere with the spin cycle, a clogged drain hose can also cause problems. If there’s a blockage preventing water from draining out of the drum, the spin cycle won’t be able to get rid of all the water and the machine will stop. If you’ve already cleaned out the filter but still have excess water in the drum, the drainage hose is likely your culprit. Here’s what to do:

• Disconnect your washer from the power and move it away from the wall to gain access to the drainage hose. 
• Have a bucket on hand to catch any excess water. Disconnect both ends of the drainage hose. 
• Run water through the hose to see if it flows freely. If not, use a length of wire to clear away any clogs. 
• Once the hose is unclogged, reconnect it to the washing machine. 
• Restore power and then run a test cycle to check if the spin cycle issue has been resolved.