LG Washing Machine Not Spinning: Causes and Fixes

LG Washing Machine Not Spinning

If your LG washing machine fills, washes and drains but leaves clothes soaking wet at the end of the cycle, the spin cycle is not completing properly. This is one of the most common LG washing machine faults, and in most cases you can fix it yourself without calling a technician.

Quick Answer

The most common reasons an LG washing machine does not spin are an unbalanced load, a drainage fault stopping the spin, a faulty lid switch or door interlock, or a motor or drive belt problem. Start with load balance and drainage before assuming a motor fault.

Causes and Fixes

1. Unbalanced Load (UE Error)

LG machines display a UE error and pause the spin cycle when the drum is unbalanced. This commonly happens with single heavy items (a duvet, jeans, a towel) or when all clothes clump to one side.

  1. Open the lid or door and redistribute clothes evenly around the drum.
  2. Remove one or two items if the drum is overloaded.
  3. Restart the spin cycle.

2. Drainage Problem Preventing Spin

LG front-loaders and top-loaders will not spin if water has not fully drained (OE error on front-loaders). A blocked drain filter or kinked drain hose is usually the cause.

  1. Check the drain hose at the back — ensure it is not kinked or inserted more than 15 cm into the standpipe.
  2. On front-loaders, locate the pump filter (bottom-right behind a small panel) and clean it — unscrew, drain residual water into a towel, remove lint and debris.
  3. Restart the drain cycle, then spin.

3. Lid Switch or Door Interlock Fault

On top-loaders, the lid switch tells the machine the lid is closed before it spins. If the switch is broken or misaligned, the spin cycle will not start. On front-loaders, a faulty door interlock causes a dE error.

  1. Top-loaders: Press the lid down firmly. Listen for a click. If there is no click, the switch may be broken and needs replacement.
  2. Front-loaders: Open and firmly re-close the door. Check for trapped fabric around the door seal.

4. Overloading

LG machines reduce spin speed automatically when the load exceeds the rated capacity. Repeatedly overloading also stresses the motor and drive belt.

  • Check your model’s capacity rating and stay within 80% of it for mixed loads.
  • Use the washing machine capacity guide to match your laundry load to the right drum size.

5. Motor or Drive Belt Fault

If the drum does not move at all during the spin cycle (not just spinning slowly), the motor or drive belt may have failed. You may hear a humming sound without any drum movement.

  • This requires a technician to inspect the motor and, for non-direct-drive models, the drive belt.
  • LG’s Direct Drive models (FHM/FHV series) have no belt — if these do not spin, it is likely the motor or control board.

Preventing Spin Problems

  • Always mix large and small items in the drum — not all sheets together.
  • Clean the drum and drain filter monthly.
  • Check for the child lock if the control panel is unresponsive.

When to Call a Technician

Call LG service (1800-315-9999) if the drum does not rotate at all, if you hear grinding or burning smells, or if the machine shows an LE motor error that does not clear after a reset. Do not attempt to open the motor housing yourself.