Washer dryer not spinning: what our engineers find
These figures come from NAC's own repair records: 115 washer dryer jobs our engineers attended for this fault. Here is what they found, what fixed it and what it typically cost.
When a washer dryer fills and drains but the drum will not spin, the cause is most often worn carbon brushes. These are small blocks that carry power into the motor, and as they wear down they stop making proper contact, so the motor cannot turn the drum. The drum usually still turns freely by hand, and the display may show an error code.
An engineer typically starts by running the machine to confirm that it fills and drains properly and that only the spin is missing. They then check the drive belt, the drum bearings and the motor itself before inspecting the brushes. A common test is to ease the worn brushes back into contact for a moment to prove the motor will turn the drum once the brushes are renewed. New brushes are then fitted and the machine is tested on a spin. The right brushes often have to be ordered, so the repair is usually finished at a second visit.
Engineers sometimes find other problems alongside worn brushes, such as worn shock absorbers under the drum, and now and then the whole motor is replaced.
Written by our engineers from these jobs.
- Jobs attended
- 115
- Confirmed repairs
- 55
- This is not a success rate. Jobs inside their 60-day window, jobs still being classified, jobs held for review and visits that didn't end in a repair aren't counted.
- Fixed at the first appointment
- 49%
- about half of our repairs
- Typical total paid by customers
- £102 to £191
- including parts and VAT, from 52 repairs
What's usually behind it
The causes our engineers found and fixed, as a share of our 55 confirmed repairs for this fault.
-
Worn carbon brushes: about half of our repairs, from 26 jobs.
47%
We only list causes with enough repairs behind them, so the shares won't add up to 100%.
Error codes we see with this fault
- Hisense F08: Motor over-current fault.
- Hoover E20: Drain fault: the machine cannot empty water.
About the price. £102 to £191 is the typical total paid by customers, including parts and VAT: the middle half of what customers paid on 52 of these repairs. Repairs paid for by manufacturers and insurers aren't counted, because that work is charged at contract rates. It's a guide, not a quote. Your engineer confirms a fixed price before any work starts.
Before you check anything yourself
- Switch the washer dryer off and unplug it, or turn it off at the isolator switch, before you touch anything. Our guide to safely isolating an appliance walks you through it.
- If it involves the mains supply, sealed parts, or you're not confident at any point, stop and book a qualified engineer rather than risk injury or further damage.
Rather leave it to us?
- Fixed-price quote before any work starts
- Same or next-day visits where available
- UK-wide engineer coverage