Spin cycle issues: unplug and reset or dive straight into the filter?

Tried those stainless steel lint traps a while back - honestly, they do the job, but you’ve gotta stay on top of cleaning them or they’ll clog up just like the mesh socks. Here’s what I’ve noticed:

- They’re sturdier, so you’re not tossing them out every week, which is nice.
- Cleaning can be a pain if you let the lint cake on. I usually rinse them after every couple loads, otherwise it’s a mess.
- If you forget and they block up, you’ll get that slow drain panic all over again.

Honestly, it’s a trade-off between tossing mesh and scrubbing steel. I lean toward the steel for less waste, but only if you’re willing to keep up with it. Not everyone wants another thing to clean, though...

I get the appeal of stainless, but honestly, I’ve had fewer headaches just sticking with the disposable mesh ones. In my rentals, tenants rarely remember to clean anything extra, and a clogged steel trap can cause bigger issues (think water on the floor, angry phone calls). Swapping out a cheap mesh sock every couple weeks is easier than hoping someone rinses out a steel one. Less eco-friendly, sure, but it’s way less maintenance in practice. Sometimes simpler wins.

I totally get the “keep it simple” approach, especially with rentals. I went stainless in my own place thinking I’d be all eco-friendly and responsible, but honestly, I forget to clean it half the time. Then I’m fishing out mystery gunk with a chopstick. The mesh socks aren’t glamorous, but they do save a lot of hassle. Maybe one day I’ll graduate to remembering the steel one, but for now… low-maintenance wins.

Yeah, I’m with you on the low-maintenance stuff. I tried one of those fancy metal filters too, but honestly, I’d forget about it for weeks and then it was just gross. The mesh ones aren’t pretty, but at least I remember to swap them out. Sometimes I wonder if all the “eco” options just end up being more work than they’re worth, at least for people like me who get distracted easily. Maybe one day I’ll be more on top of it, but for now, simple is good enough.

I get where you’re coming from, but I kinda think the “eco” options are only a hassle if you let them get away from you. I was super skeptical at first, but once I made it a habit to rinse out the metal filter every Sunday, it honestly became automatic. Less waste and I don’t have to keep buying new mesh ones all the time. Not saying it’s for everyone, though - maybe I’m just stubborn about not tossing stuff if I can help it.

Yeah, totally get what you mean about the eco options being less hassle once you’re in the groove. I do wonder, though - how do you make sure you’re actually getting the filter clean enough? I’ve had a couple times where I thought I rinsed mine well, but then the spin cycle still acted up. Maybe I’m being too cautious, but I always worry about little bits getting stuck and messing with the pump. Do you ever use anything besides water to rinse it out, or just stick to a quick scrub?

I always worry about little bits getting stuck and messing with the pump.

Same here. I usually give the filter a good rinse under hot water and use an old toothbrush to scrub out the gunk. If it’s really gross, I’ll soak it in vinegar for a bit - seems to help with buildup. Never had pump issues since I started doing that, but yeah, it’s easy to miss stuff if you’re in a rush.

Honestly, I used to just unplug and reset every time the spin cycle acted up, but after finding a sock jammed in the filter once, I’m way more diligent. Haven’t had to deal with a flooded laundry room since. I’m all about the vinegar soak too - works wonders and doesn’t leave that chemical smell behind. Sometimes I’ll use a bamboo skewer to poke out stubborn lint (probably not recommended, but it gets the job done). I get wanting to rush through it, but man, skipping a deep clean has bitten me before. It’s wild how much junk builds up in there, especially with kids in the house... random legos, hair ties, you name it.

I’m with you on the deep clean - learned that lesson after a mystery sock blocked my filter and the washer started making weird noises. Now I check the filter every couple weeks, just in case. I’m a little paranoid about poking around with anything sharp, though... I always worry I’ll break something or hit a wire. Vinegar soak is my go-to too. It’s wild how much gunk builds up, especially after a few loads of towels.

I hear you on the paranoia - one time I tried to fish out a coin with a butter knife and nearly took out a wire. Not my finest moment. Now I stick to plastic chopsticks or just my fingers, even if it means getting a little gross. The vinegar trick is gold, though. It’s wild how much lint and sludge can hide in there.

Curious - has anyone actually found something valuable in their filter? Closest I got was a Lego head and about $2 in change. Makes me wonder if I should be charging a “filter cleaning fee” for all the lost treasures I rescue...

Makes me wonder if I should be charging a “filter cleaning fee” for all the lost treasures I rescue...

Honestly, you might be onto something with that fee. Last time I cleaned mine, I pulled out a Barbie shoe, a bobby pin, and enough dog hair to knit a small sweater. No cash, though - my luck’s not that good.

I’ve always wondered how people manage to lose coins in there. Maybe my family’s just too careful (or broke). The weirdest thing I ever found was a tiny screwdriver, which actually came in handy later for tightening the dryer vent. Guess it pays to check.

I’m with you on the chopsticks - metal tools make me nervous around wires. And yeah, vinegar is magic for getting rid of that musty smell. Still can’t believe how much gunk builds up in those filters... kind of makes you rethink what’s really getting “clean” in the wash.

I’ve pulled out some wild stuff from filters - once found a Lego head and a wedding ring (owner was relieved). Honestly, it’s surprising how much debris gets trapped. If the spin cycle’s acting up, I’d check the filter first before messing with resets. Usually saves time.

I’ve lost count of how many times a “broken” washer was just a filter jammed with coins, hairpins, or even socks. Resetting the machine is almost never the fix - just delays the inevitable. I always go straight to the filter now, especially in rentals where tenants toss in all sorts of stuff. It’s wild what people forget in their pockets. If you’re not checking the filter first, you’re probably wasting time and risking a bigger headache down the line.

I get where you're coming from, but I’ve actually had a couple of cases where unplugging and resetting did help - though it’s rare. Still, I agree: checking the filter first is usually more effective, especially if you’re trying to avoid unnecessary water waste or energy use. It’s wild how much stuff ends up down there... found a Lego piece once.

It’s wild how much stuff ends up down there... found a Lego piece once.

That's for sure - I've pulled out everything from socks to coins. I hear you on the reset trick, though. It worked for me once when the machine's board glitched, but like you said, it's rare. Still, always worth checking the filter first, especially if you want to avoid bigger headaches later. Safety-wise, unplugging before poking around is never a bad idea.

Still, always worth checking the filter first, especially if you want to avoid bigger headaches later.

That makes sense, but I sometimes wonder - does anyone actually go straight for the reset before checking the filter? I get that the reset can clear a board glitch, but in my experience, 9 times out of 10 it’s just some random bit of junk stuck in there causing all the drama. I pulled out a hair tie once and felt like a detective solving the case.

Has anyone here had a spin issue that turned out to be something totally unexpected, not filter or board related? Like, could it be the drain hose or maybe even the belt slipping? Just curious how often it’s something less obvious.

Spin Cycle Surprises: When It’s Not the Obvious Stuff

I get that the reset can clear a board glitch, but in my experience, 9 times out of 10 it’s just some random bit of junk stuck in there causing all the drama.

That’s definitely been my experience too, but I’ve learned (the hard way) not to rule out the less obvious stuff - especially if you’re trying to avoid a costly repair down the line. I’m pretty cautious about anything involving moving parts or water, so I tend to look for the “hidden” issues if the filter looks clean.

One time, my washer just stopped spinning mid-cycle. Filter was spotless, no error code, and a reset did nothing. Turns out, the drain hose had a kink behind the machine from when a delivery guy pushed it back too far. The pump couldn’t force water out fast enough, so the machine wouldn’t spin. I only figured it out after pulling everything apart and double-checking all the connections. Not exactly how I wanted to spend my Sunday afternoon.

As for the belt, that’s another sneaky culprit. If it’s slipping or worn, you might notice a sort of burnt rubber smell or hear some weird noises before the spin cycle gives up completely. It’s not always easy to spot unless you’re comfortable opening up panels, but catching it early can save you from a total breakdown.

I get why folks go straight to the filter - it’s quick and usually solves it. But sometimes those “random” issues are hiding in plain sight. Personally, I’d rather spend an extra few minutes checking hoses or listening for odd sounds than risk a bigger repair bill later on. Even if it feels like overkill, just being thorough gives me peace of mind... and keeps my wallet happier in the long run.

Guess it just depends how much time (and patience) you’ve got when things go sideways.

I get why folks go straight to the filter - it’s quick and usually solves it. But sometimes those “random” issues are hiding in plain sight.

That’s spot on - sometimes it’s the stuff you can’t see right away that trips you up. I’ve been burned by assuming it was just a clogged filter, only to find out later the lid switch was acting up. It’s easy to forget how many safety interlocks these machines have now. If the lid sensor is even a little off, the washer might refuse to spin, no matter how clean everything else looks.

Here’s how I usually tackle it:
1. Unplug and reset - just in case it’s a board hiccup.
2. Check the filter and drain pump for obvious blockages.
3. Inspect hoses for kinks or pinches (like you mentioned - those can be sneaky).
4. Listen for weird noises during drain/spin cycles.
5. Test the lid switch or door lock if nothing else pans out.

Curious if anyone else has run into issues with those sensors? Sometimes I wonder if they’re more trouble than they’re worth...

Honestly, I get the frustration with all the sensors, but I’ve actually found them pretty helpful more often than not. Had a washer that wouldn’t spin, and it turned out the sensor was just doing its job - lid wasn’t closing all the way because of a rogue sock wedged in the hinge. If I’d skipped straight to the filter, I’d have missed it. Sometimes those “annoying” safety features save you from bigger headaches down the line... even if they do make troubleshooting a bit more of a puzzle.

Yeah, I get that. Sensors can be a pain, but they do catch stuff you’d never think to check. I had a similar thing - washer wouldn’t start, and it was just the door sensor not clicking in because of lint buildup. Still, sometimes I wish there was a quick way to tell if it’s a real problem or just the machine being picky. Guess it’s all part of the fun... or frustration.