Troubleshooting Maytag Washer That Won’t Spin

A Maytag washing machine’s most critical function is to spin. That allows the machine to loosen up the dirt and later squeeze water out from the clothes. Still, faulty washers can sometimes fail to spin.

A top-loading Maytag washer in many cases won’t spin due to a faulty lid lock, worn out transmission clutch, failed actuator switch, or worn basket drive hub kit. Front-loading Maytag models may do the same if the drain filter is clogged, the drain pump is burnt out, or the door lock has malfunctioned.

In this article, we’re going to explore common reasons why Maytag top- and front-loading washing machines won’t spin.

Lid Lock Failed

What it is: Top-loading Maytag washing machines have something called a lid lock, and its function is pretty straightforward.

Once you’ve loaded the machine and input the settings you want, the lid lock ensures that no one can open the lid while the machine is working.

If someone was to open the lid and stick their hand inside, they might get injured.

Items falling into the machine can also cause damage. The lid lock prevents this in two ways: locking the lid so no one can open it.

The lid lock also ensures that the washer won’t start turning as long as the lid is open.

Why it fails: Your top-loading Maytag washer will not spin if the lid lock has failed.

That’s because a failed lock might mistakenly sense that the lid is still open, even though you’ve already closed it.

As a result, the machine will not begin the washing cycles.

How to fix: Lid locks can’t be repaired, so they must instead be replaced.

That usually involves opening the top panel of the washer to access the lid lock.

At the same time, you’d also need to disconnect the existing lid lock’s wire harness from the control board through the rear panel. 

Then, you’d simply place the new lid lock in the same position and reconnect it the same way as before.

Transmission Clutch Worn Out

What it is: Just like in a car, your top-loading Maytag washing machine also has a transmission clutch as well.

That clutch helps to move the washer’s tub on the inside and the agitator, which removes the dirt from your clothes inside.

As the clutch spins, the spring inside will catch on the brake release. With enough tension on that spring, it’ll help to release the washer’s brake and allow the tub to spin.

Why it fails: Over time, the transmission clutch inside your washer can get worn out, and that spring mentioned earlier can lose its tension.

That’s especially true if the machine has been in service for many years, and even more so if you use it very frequently.

When that happens, the clutch will not be able to catch on the brake release, causing your washer’s tub to stay still instead of spinning.

How to fix: In this situation, you’ll need to replace the transmission clutch.

However, it’s not a simple DIY job, so you will probably be better off hiring a professional to do it for you.

Typically, the process involves uninstalling the motor entirely. That will make it easier to tip the entire washer over and remove the transmission housing.

From there, it’ll be much easier to replace the existing clutch before reinstalling the transmission and the motor.

Actuator Switch malfunction

What it is: The shift actuator inside your washer is switching drive gear between spin and agitation cycles.

Doing so helps to control your washer’s ability to spin and allows it to switch between different spinning modes.

Why it fails: There are several reasons why an actuator switch may fail. If the machine has been in use for a long time, the problem could be that it has become worn out or faulty.

Besides that, the switch could have been exposed to excess moisture, which damages it, leading to failure.

As a result of all that, the switch could prevent the washer from spinning at all.

How to fix: The actuator switch usually sits on the transmission housing deep inside the machine.

That means replacing it requires you to open access panels and remove both the washer motor and transmission so that you can work on it much easier.

A Maytag washing machine’s most critical function is to spin. That allows the machine to loosen up the dirt and later squeeze water out from the clothes. Still, faulty washers can sometimes fail to spin.

A top-loading Maytag washer in many cases won’t spin due to a faulty lid lock, worn out transmission clutch, failed actuator switch, or worn basket drive hub kit. Front-loading Maytag models may do the same if the drain filter is clogged, the drain pump is burnt out, or the door lock has malfunctioned.

In this article, we’re going to explore common reasons why Maytag top- and front-loading washing machines won’t spin.

Lid Lock Failed

What it is: Top-loading Maytag washing machines have something called a lid lock, and its function is pretty straightforward.

Once you’ve loaded the machine and input the settings you want, the lid lock ensures that no one can open the lid while the machine is working.

If someone was to open the lid and stick their hand inside, they might get injured.

Items falling into the machine can also cause damage. The lid lock prevents this in two ways: locking the lid so no one can open it.

The lid lock also ensures that the washer won’t start turning as long as the lid is open.

Why it fails: Your top-loading Maytag washer will not spin if the lid lock has failed.

That’s because a failed lock might mistakenly sense that the lid is still open, even though you’ve already closed it.

As a result, the machine will not begin the washing cycles.

How to fix: Lid locks can’t be repaired, so they must instead be replaced.

That usually involves opening the top panel of the washer to access the lid lock.

At the same time, you’d also need to disconnect the existing lid lock’s wire harness from the control board through the rear panel. 

Then, you’d simply place the new lid lock in the same position and reconnect it the same way as before.

Transmission Clutch Worn Out

What it is: Just like in a car, your top-loading Maytag washing machine also has a transmission clutch as well.

That clutch helps to move the washer’s tub on the inside and the agitator, which removes the dirt from your clothes inside.

As the clutch spins, the spring inside will catch on the brake release. With enough tension on that spring, it’ll help to release the washer’s brake and allow the tub to spin.

Why it fails: Over time, the transmission clutch inside your washer can get worn out, and that spring mentioned earlier can lose its tension.

That’s especially true if the machine has been in service for many years, and even more so if you use it very frequently.

When that happens, the clutch will not be able to catch on the brake release, causing your washer’s tub to stay still instead of spinning.

How to fix: In this situation, you’ll need to replace the transmission clutch.

However, it’s not a simple DIY job, so you will probably be better off hiring a professional to do it for you.

Typically, the process involves uninstalling the motor entirely. That will make it easier to tip the entire washer over and remove the transmission housing.

From there, it’ll be much easier to replace the existing clutch before reinstalling the transmission and the motor.

Actuator Switch malfunction

What it is: The shift actuator inside your washer is switching drive gear between spin and agitation cycles.

Doing so helps to control your washer’s ability to spin and allows it to switch between different spinning modes.

Why it fails: There are several reasons why an actuator switch may fail. If the machine has been in use for a long time, the problem could be that it has become worn out or faulty.

Besides that, the switch could have been exposed to excess moisture, which damages it, leading to failure.

As a result of all that, the switch could prevent the washer from spinning at all.

How to fix: The actuator switch usually sits on the transmission housing deep inside the machine.

That means replacing it requires you to open access panels and remove both the washer motor and transmission so that you can work on it much easier.