I do wonder though, has anyone had luck with just resetting the machine and having it magically work again? Or am I just overly optimistic hoping for a “tech fix” moment?
Honestly, I’ve seen maybe one or two cases where unplugging and resetting did the trick, but that’s usually when the control board glitches out. Most of the time, if the spin cycle’s acting up, there’s something physical going on—like a blocked filter or a drain hose issue.
I’ve definitely been there with the filter flood. The first time I opened one up, I didn’t realize how much water would come out... ended up scrambling for towels. Now I always crack it open slowly and keep a shallow pan underneath.
If you’re feeling lucky, sure, try the reset first. But if it keeps happening, you’re probably looking at a blockage or maybe even a worn-out pump. In my experience, “tech fix” moments are rare with washers—wish they happened more often.
Spin Cycle Issues: Unplug and Reset or Dive Straight Into the Filter?
- If I had a dollar for every time someone hoped unplugging would fix a washer, I’d have… well, maybe enough for a coffee. In my experience, the “magic reset” works about as often as finding an old sock that *isn’t* stuck in the filter.
- Here’s my usual order of attack:
- Quick unplug/replug—just in case it’s a brain fart from the control board.
- Listen for weird noises during spin (grinding, humming, nothing at all?).
- Check the filter—but do it with towels and a roasting pan unless you like mopping up suds.
- Inspect the drain hose for kinks or blockages. Sometimes tenants shove the machine back too far and pinch it without realizing.
- I’ve seen some wild things jammed in filters: coins, hairpins, even a LEGO guy once. That was a fun one to explain.
- The only time resetting worked for me was when lightning took out half the electrics and the washer just needed a power cycle to get its act together. Most of the time, if it won’t spin, something’s physically stuck or worn out.
- If you’re lucky, it’s just gunk in the filter. Worst case, pump is shot or bearings are toast. Not fun, but at least you know what you’re dealing with.
- Side note: If you end up opening the filter and it gushes everywhere... yeah, been there. I learned to keep a baking tray underneath after getting soaked more than once.
Long story short—reset first if you want to feel optimistic, but don’t hold your breath. Usually gotta get your hands dirty (or wet) to really fix it.
Honestly, I always unplug first just in case, but yeah, it’s usually not that easy. I’ve seen people skip straight to yanking the filter and end up with a flood—never fun. I’d add: make sure you kill the power at the wall before poking around, especially if you’re reaching near water. Safety first, even if it means a few extra steps. And yeah, those filters... found a Barbie shoe once. Still not sure how it got in there.
I’m right there with you on the safety stuff. I’ve only had my own place for a few months, but I’ve already learned the hard way that skipping steps just isn’t worth it. Here’s my take:
- Always unplug, but I also double-check that the outlet isn’t one of those weird ones that stays live unless you flip the breaker. Had a scare once where I thought it was off but nope, still buzzing.
- If there’s water anywhere near where I’m working, I grab a towel and put it down first. Learned that from my dad—he used to say “water finds a way.”
- I keep a bucket handy before opening up the filter. The first time, I just had a tiny bowl and... yeah, ended up mopping for half an hour.
- About what gets stuck in there—found a Lego head in mine last week. No clue how that made it past the drum, but now I check pockets twice before every wash.
I do get why some folks want to just jump in and fix things fast, especially if laundry’s piling up, but honestly, taking those extra minutes to prep saves so much hassle later. The only thing I might do differently is try a reset on the machine before opening anything up—sometimes it’s just a glitch and you don’t have to mess with water at all.
Anyway, guess I’m still getting used to all these little homeowner surprises. It’s like every appliance has its own personality... and its own set of weird problems.
“The only thing I might do differently is try a reset on the machine before opening anything up—sometimes it’s just a glitch and you don’t have to mess with water at all.”
That’s a solid point about trying a reset first. I’ve seen a surprising number of “broken” washers that just needed a hard reset—unplug for a minute, plug back in, and suddenly it’s like nothing ever happened. It’s almost like these machines get moody sometimes.
Your checklist is spot-on, especially about outlets. I can’t count how many times I’ve come across those half-switched circuits where you think you’re safe, but nope, still live. I always recommend a voltage tester, even if you’re sure. Cheap insurance.
One thing I’d add: when you’re dealing with filters or anything that could leak, it’s worth checking if your washer has a little drain hose near the filter cap. Some models tuck a tiny hose behind a panel—pull that out and drain as much as you can before unscrewing the filter. Saves a lot of mopping. Not every washer has it, but it’s worth a look.
About stuff getting stuck—Lego heads, coins, hairpins... I once found a whole sock balled up in a pump. Still not sure how it got past the drum, but it happens. Makes you wonder what else is lurking in there.
Curious if you’ve noticed any patterns with your spin cycle issues? Like, does it only happen with heavy loads, or is it random? Sometimes it’s just an unbalanced load tripping the safety, but other times it’s a clogged filter or even a worn belt. I usually start with the easy stuff—reset, check for error codes if your model has a display, then move on to the filter and hoses.
And yeah, every appliance really does have its own quirks. I swear, some washers are just more temperamental than others.
