Washing Machine Spin Cycle Slow: Top 5 Reasons and Fixes (With Video!)

Is your washing machine’s slow spin cycle leaving you with loads of dripping laundry? You’re not alone, but the good news is you can tackle this common homeowner issue yourself! Check out our step-by-step guide and discover an accompanying video below that makes the troubleshooting process easier than ever.

When a washing machine has a spin cycle that is going too slow, there are five main elements that may have failed. Before you start troubleshooting this issue, make sure to take safety precautions before doing so including turning off the hot/cold water systems connected to the washer and disconnecting your washing machine from power. Once the washing machine is safe to work with, proceed with this easy troubleshooting guide.

Once you have identified the part needed for your washer, search below using your specific washing machine model number to identify the exact part needed:

1. Drain System

When a washing machine has a spin cycle that is going too slow, there are a few things that can be going wrong. If you’re planning to troubleshoot this issue, make sure to take safety precautions before doing so. Turn off the hot and cold water systems connect to the washer. The washing machine should also be unplugged or the corresponding circuit breaker should be turned off before you start any work.

The first thing to check with a washer that spins slowly is the drain system. If this part isn’t working the way it should be, the washer may attempt to spin when it is still filled with water. The first thing to check is the hoses in case they have any kinks or clogs in them. The next thing to inspect is the drain pump to ensure that nothing is stuck inside of it. It’s also important to check the drain to be sure it’s clean.

2. Clothing Between Tubs

The second thing to watch for when a washer is spinning too slowly is whether clothing has become stuck between the two washing machine tubs. This can create a drag that makes the washer spin more slowly than expected. In some cases, clothing can find its way in between the two tubs and will need to be removed to get the washing machine working the way it should be.

If the outer tub of your washing machine is translucent, it may be possible to see through to the clothing that has become lodged between the inner and outer tubs. The tub to pump hose can also be removed so the hole can be looked through to determine if anything is located between the two tubs when spinning them. If the clothing can be reached, it might be able to be pulled out through the hole. 

Sometimes this isn’t possible, and with a top-loading washing machine, the inner tub can be removed for better access to anything between the tubs. For front-loading washers, the tub assembly will need to be removed to separate the halves of the outer tub. Once the clothing has been removed, the washing machine can be reassembled.

3. Clutch

For those with top-loading washing machines, the next component to look at when the washing machine spin cycle is slow is the clutch. This part is tasked with ensuring the speed of the washer increases in a gradual way when the spin cycle is going. There are many different kinds of clutches, but all of them do the same thing and act in mostly the same manner. The material inside the clutch is similar to a brake pad and works to drive and grip the washer. Once this material beings to wear out, the clutch may stop working as well as it used to. This can make the washer tub slow down the spin cycle.

Most of the time, the clutch is going to be located on the bottom of the washing machine. If the washer tub is running slowly, but there are noises emitting from the area near the clutch, this is a good indication that the clutch may no longer be working correctly. Listen to the sounds of agitation when the washer is spinning for a sign of the clutch going bad. If there is no noise while movement occurs, it’s often the clutch going bad that causes it. This means a replacement will be needed.

4. Drive Belt

The drive belt in a washing machine can also cause the washer to spin more slowly than expected. This belt is connected to both the motor pulley and the drive pulley to allow the inner tub to spin. Belts can be found in two styles: multi-groove and V belts. Either type can fail if it has fallen off, is broken, or has become stretched out. On top-loading washers, the belt will be found on the bottom of the machine. With a front-loading washer, it will more likely be on the back of the washer.

The first thing to do is visually inspect the belt for any damage. If the belt has just fallen off, it can sometimes be placed back on to make the washer start spinning quickly again. If the belt is stretched out or damaged, it will instead need to be replaced. In some cases, there will be other signs that the belt has failed like squealing sounds during the wash and spin cycles, the scent of burning rubber, or an erratically spinning tub.

Access the belt before doing anything else, and if it is still attached to the drum, take it off. If the belt has been broken or snapped, it won’t be on the pulleys so it may be found at the bottom of the washing machine. The new belt that replaces the old one should be the same model as the original so it fits on perfectly. The belt can be aligned around the drum pulley with the flat side facing you. Place the belt to the drum pulley before looping the other end to the motor pulley. Give the water tub a spin and it will align the new belt.

5. Coupler

The final part that can be causing a washing machine to spin more slowly than expected is the coupler. This is a component that connects together the motor and transmission with older models of top-loading direct-drive washing machines. Each coupler comes with three separate components, two which are made of plastic and the other made of rubber. The parts all work together to keep the motor spinning the transmission. One of the plastic parts will be on the transmission while the other will be on the motor. The rubber piece is sandwiched between the two plastic pieces of the coupler and will help with absorbing vibrations.

If the coupler has stopped working or is broken, the motor may still run but the agitator often will not spin as quickly as before. In some cases, it will stop spinning entirely. The broken coupler can also create loud noises if the broken pieces begin to grind up against each other. If this occurs, the washing machine might have small pieces of plastic and rubber underneath it from the damage to the washing machine. If the coupler isn’t working right, it will need to be replaced.

Replacing the coupler will involve releasing the drain pump, removing the drive motor, and removing the broken coupler. The new coupler can be installed using a screwdriver and a hammer. After that is complete, the drive motor and the drain pump can be reinstalled into the washer. At this point, power can be turned back on and the washing machine can be used as usual.

Where To Find Us 

If you need any replacement parts for your appliances, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to locate and order them quickly. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have tons of great information in our repair help section and YouTube videos to help you troubleshoot.

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