Hotpoint Washer Not Spinning? How to Fix It

If your Hotpoint washer is not spinning, it won’t be able to clean clothes effectively or remove excess water. Therefore, it’s a problem you will need to address, as the only alternative would be purchasing a new washer.

Fortunately, a washer not spinning is usually a fixable problem, and you can often resolve it yourself with moderate DIY skills and some basic tools. This guide will explain the potential reasons why your Hotpoint washer is not spinning, along with the steps to take to get it working again.

Keep reading to learn how to fix a Hotpoint washer that isn’t spinning.

How to Fix a Hotpoint Washer That Won’t Spin

Let’s dive straight into the potential causes and solutions.

1. The Load Is Unbalanced

A Hotpoint washer will not spin if the load is unbalanced. The machine may attempt to spin but then stop, and a flashing light may appear on some models.

Common causes of an unbalanced load include a load that is either too big or too small, the appliance not being level, or the use of an inappropriate cycle setting.

How to fix an unbalanced load:

• Remove some laundry items if the washer is overfilled. Check the user manual for load size guidelines.
• Add a few items if the load is too small. Avoid washing single items.
• Check the appliance with a spirit level, and adjust its legs to ensure it is level.
• If the load is concentrated in one area, redistribute it manually and evenly in the drum, then resume the cycle.
• Choose the most appropriate cycle setting for the load, such as Bulky, Delicate, or Normal.

2. The Lid or Door Is Not Closed

Hotpoint top-load models, more common in the U.S., will not start or spin if the lid is open, while front-load models, more common in Europe, won’t operate if the door is not closed fully.

How to check the door:

• Open the door or lid and look for items that may be obstructing it, such as laundry.
• Clean the door or lid, frame or opening, and latch or lock mechanism if there is a buildup of grime or detergent residue.
• Close the lid or door firmly, ensuring it shuts fully.

3. The Drive Belt Is Broken

Many Hotpoint washers use a drive belt in their design that connects the motor to the drum pulley, enabling the drum to spin during a cycle. If the drive belt slips off or breaks, the washer will not spin until the belt is replaced.

Replacement belts are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased directly from Hotpoint or through retailers like Amazon, eBay, and appliance parts stores. Just make sure to buy the correct belt for your specific washer model.

Installing the belt is also relatively straightforward and is a task most people can handle themselves.

How to replace the drive belt:

1. Unplug the washer.
2. Remove the back panel (and sometimes the top panel, depending on the model) to access the drive belt.
3. Remove the old drive belt.
4. Loop the new drive belt around the motor and drum pulley, gradually rotating the drum pulley while fitting it to help ease the belt into position. Ensure the ribbed side of the belt is facing down.
5. Manually rotate the drum pulley one full rotation to check that the entire drive belt is properly aligned and fitted.
6. Reassemble the panels on your washer, restore power, and test whether it will now spin.

4. The Washer Isn’t Draining

Drainage issues are also a common reason why Hotpoint washers won’t spin. A spin cycle will fail to start if there is still water inside the drum. Common causes of drainage issues include a kinked or clogged drain hose, a faulty drain pump, or a dirty pump filter.

How to fix drainage issues:

• Check the drain hose for kinks, clogs, or pinches.
• Locate the filter, usually found at the bottom front of the washer behind a small door. Unscrew the filter and clean it thoroughly.
• Locate the drain pump impeller, located beneath the filter. Remove any foreign objects that may be obstructing it and clean the area.
• Ensure the drain hose is inserted into the standpipe at the correct height.

5. The Shock Absorbers Are Worn

The shock absorbers reduce the vibration and movement of the drum while it’s spinning. However, if the shock absorbers become worn, the washer may vibrate excessively and fail to spin properly.

How to replace the worn shock absorbers:

1. Unplug the washer.
2. Carefully lay the washer on its side to access the shock absorbers at the bottom of the drum.
3. Use pliers to gently pull out the retaining peg and a socket wrench to remove the bottom nut securing the shock absorbers.
4. Align the new shock absorbers with the mounting points and secure them with the nut and peg.
5. Reassemble the washer, plug it back in, and test to ensure it is spinning properly.

6. The Washer Needs Resetting

Sometimes, a Hotpoint washing machine won’t spin because of a temporary software error or glitch. If this is the case, you should be able to resolve the issue by resetting the washer.

How to reset a Hotpoint washer:

1. Turn off the washing machine.
2. Unplug it from the power source.
3. Wait for 5-10 minutes.
4. Plug the washer back in.

Final Considerations

If the solutions above don’t resolve the issue with your Hotpoint washer not spinning, we highly recommend having your appliance inspected by a professional. The problem could stem from a failed drive motor or a faulty main control board—issues that typically require specialized tools and expertise to diagnose and repair.