Amana Washer Not Spinning? Here’s Why

Have you gone to get your clothes out of your Amana washer, but found they’re still soaking wet? Maybe your washer is simply stopping when it gets to the spin cycle, or perhaps it’s displaying an error code. 

No matter the cause, a washer that isn’t spinning is extremely frustrating! Thankfully, you don’t need to be a professional technician to fix this issue. Read on to find the solution to your problem!

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

ALW880QAW

CW2303/P7762131W

CW3303L/P1128412W

CW3303W/P1128405W

CW8202W2/PCW8202W2

DLW330RAW

LTA85AW/PLTA85AW

LTC85AW/PLTC85AW

LW1503/P1110513R

LW2603/P7804714W

LW8203W2

LWA50AW

NAV2330AWW

NAV5800AWW

NFW7200TW10

NFW7200TW11

NFW7300WW00

NTW4500VQ1

NTW4501XQ0

NTW4630YQ0

NTW4650YQ0

Worn-out or Broken Drive Belt

In a washing machine, the drive belt joins the motor to the wash drum, enabling the spin cycle to run. It’s a sturdy belt made of rubber, but over time it can stretch, fray, become worn, and in some cases even snap! When the drive belt is stretched, the spin cycle may not work properly, and if it’s broken it won’t work at all. 

To discover if this is the problem with your Amana washer, listen to what happens when the spin cycle tries to run. If you hear the motor running but the drum doesn’t turn, or if there’s a thumping or banging noise while the cycle runs, it’s likely a drive belt issue.

To fix:

• Unplug your Amana washer, then remove the front panel to access the drum. The process for this will differ depending on your exact model, so refer to your manual if you’re not sure. 
• Locate the belt—it will be looped around the drum. Check it for signs of fraying or general wear, tear, and stretching. 
• If it appears damaged in any way, you’ll need to replace it! Order a replacement part online, ensuring it is designed to fit your particular model. 
• Remove the old belt from the motor and drum pulleys, then put the new belt in its place, making sure it fits snugly. 
• Replace the front panel, plug in your washer, and run a test spin cycle. It should now be spinning properly!

Faulty Lid Switch

The lid switch on a washer detects if the lid is open or closed, and if it is open, it sends signals to the machine not to run certain parts of the cycle, such as the spin cycle. If the lid switch is faulty, your washer might incorrectly sense that the lid is open even when it’s closed, and the spin cycle will fail to start. 

If this is your problem, you’ll probably notice that your Amana washer fills with water but is not agitating or spinning at all. There will also be no “click” noise when you close the lid to show that the lid switch mechanism is being activated. 

To fix:

• Unplug your washer, and locate the lid switch—they’re usually on the underside of the lid, on either side. Check your user manual for the exact location of your model. 
• Check to see if the switch is dirty—in some cases it can get clogged with detergent residue, preventing the switch from engaging. If this is the case, clean the switch thoroughly.
• Check to see if the switch appears broken or damaged in any way. 
• If it appears fine, use a multimeter to test for continuity. If there is no continuity the switch is faulty and needs replacing. 
• Order a replacement switch assembly, ensuring it is compatible with your model. 
• Remove the old switch, disconnect the wires, and take note of how the wiring is connected. 
• Put the new switch in its place, ensuring it is secured properly. 
• Plug the washer back in and run a test cycle to make sure the spin cycle is working. 

Damaged Motor Coupler

A motor coupler is what connects the motor to the transmission in a top-loading Amana washer. It helps protect the motor from damage if there’s a fault in the transmission, but over time the coupler can break due to wear and tear. 

If your Amana washer has an issue with the motor couple, your machine will fill up with water and drain at the end of the cycle, but it won’t agitate or spin. There will also be a humming noise, which shows that the motor is still working, even though the drum isn’t turning. 

To fix:

• Unplug the washer.
• Get access to the underside of the washer. You may need someone to help you tilt it backward. Make sure it is completely secured before you begin working on the underside—washers are heavy and you don’t want yours to fall on you!
• Remove the bottom panel and locate the motor coupler. This can be found between the motor and the transmission, and if it’s faulty it will show obvious signs of wear and tear. 
• If it needs replacing, order a replacement part that is compatible with your Amana washer model.
• Remove the motor from your washer and remove the broken parts from the motor and transmission shafts. Put the new coupler firmly into place on these shafts. 
• Replace the motor in the machine.
• Carefully lower the washer so it’s upright once again. 
• Plug the washer back in and run a test cycle to ensure it’s spinning properly.

Malfunctioning Motor Control Board

If none of those fixes worked for your Amana washer, there could be an issue with the control board. This is a pretty in-depth electrical issue to fix, so only attempt it if you are confident with your electrical repair skills. If you’re not sure, call in a professional! 

The control board regulates the motor functions of your machine. If it’s faulty then any part of the cycle may not work, or the washer may not work at all. An issue with the control board will usually be accompanied by an error code. 

To fix:

• Access the control board—it’s usually located at the top of the machine, in the control panel. 
• Check for visible damage or test the board with a multimeter to see if it has continuity.
• If you determine that the control board is faulty, order a replacement part that is compatible with your machine. 
• Remove the old control board, ensuring you pay attention to the wiring, and place the new control board in its place. Reassemble the machine, then turn it on. 
• Plug the washer back in and run a test cycle to make sure it’s all working correctly!