Samsung washing machine is one of the most popular in Canada because of its good performance and reasonable price. Unfortunately, there is one crucial disadvantage. This is a weak washer’s drum support-shaft framework. The incomplete spin cycle occurs when the washing machine can’t reach high-speed rotation during the spin. This is the most upsetting and common problem with front-loading Samsung washing machines. A cracked drum support (spider) is the leading cause of the problem when the front-loading Samsung washer won’t complete the spin cycle.
Misunderstanding of the problem
When you google information about the incomplete spin cycle, you see many reasons, like an unbalanced load, a drain system problem, and a broken door lock, but usually not the primary cause. All those issues exist, too, but in 90% of cases, they won’t be related to this spin problem of the front-loading Samsung washer. This fact proves again that most of the articles are written by AI robots. I am a home appliance technician from Ottawa, ON. Every day, I receive a question about the Samsung washer speed spin cycle problem. What will I ask them to understand the situation?
- Is there water in the drum or only in the clothes? Usually, there is not. So, this is not a drain problem.
- Was it your usual load and not something bulky like a pillow? Usually, yes, regular load. So, this is not an unbalanced load problem.
- I will ask about more signs of an incomplete spin cycle, which should be similar to this description. The washing machine would start a spin cycle and show about 10 minutes on the display. The drum rotates more and less quickly, trying to distribute the clothes. The time will count down to about 2-4 minutes, but the drum won’t reach the high-speed spin and stop. The time of about 10-12 minutes will appear again on the display, and the washer will restart the spin cycle. Another common complaint is that my washer smokes when I open the door after the spin cycle. When I heard it, I told the customer: This is a drum support, spider-shaft problem. The repair is expensive and could easily reach 600-700 dollars. Usually, I recommend buying a new washer.
This article will explain the Samsung front-loading washing machine’s incomplete spin cycle problem.
Understanding of the Spin Cycle in a Washing Machine
Spin mechanism of the Samsung front-load.
During the spin cycle, the drum rotates at high speeds, creating a centrifugal force that pushes water out of the fabric. In the front-load washing machine, the drum’s shaft is connected to the rear side of the drum through the support, which hugs the drum with its parts like a spider.
Security mechanisms prevent the spin cycle.
The high-speed rotating drum imposes intense pressure on the washer’s construction and may also be dangerous for the user. Every washing machine usually has three security mechanisms providing a smooth and secure spin cycle.
First, the door switch will block the washer’s door to prevent the user from touching the spinning drum. Second, the washing machine never starts the spin cycle if there is some water in the drum. It could be if the drain system is blocked or the drain pump is broken. Water should be drained before the spin cycle and quickly go away during the spin. If water is inside the drum, the washing machine never starts the spin cycle. How do you know that your washer didn’t start the spin cycle? You will hear a steady hum from the drain pump, but the drum won’t rotate. If there is a spin indicator on the panel, it won’t light. The third and most related to our case security mechanism is that the washing machine won’t complete the spin cycle by reaching the high-speed spin when the load is unbalanced.
Let us investigate these mechanisms in connection with our main topic. Please pay attention to the fact that the two first mechanisms will prevent the start of the spin cycle, and only the last one will prevent the high-speed spin.
Common Reasons Why a Front-loading Samsung Washer May Not Finish the Spin Cycle.
The importance of the problem.
The main word in our topic is non–complete, which means not reaching the high-speed rotation. Many articles explain why washing machines don’t spin in general. It may be necessary for the common understanding, but it is not enough for the specific case diagnostic. I will narrow the topic to first, the front-loading Samsung washing machines and second, the incomplete spin cycle issue. What is the importance of this precise topic? First, this is the main issue of the front-load Samsung washer, which is unrepairable because of its cost. Second, there is a misunderstanding in the diagnostic of this issue, even between the technicians. Some technicians would try to replace the drain pump, for example. Third, diagnostics can often be provided remotely to avoid excessive travel for the technician and unneeded payment for the customer. The remote free diagnostic builds a better relationship between the client and the repairman.
To choose the correct cause of the problem.
I will return to the causes of the problem, commonly noted online. I repeat that my remarks only relate to the front-load Samsung washing machine.
Door lock.
When the door lock doesn’t work, the washing machine doesn’t start any cycle. The same is true of the drain system problem. Before beginning any cycle, the washing machine checks the lock and the drain pump. These signs could be different for top-loading machines and other makes.
Drain system
There is a rare specific case when the drain system is blocked but only partially. In this case, the washing machine could complete the spin cycle, making a real high-speed spin, but the clothes stay dumped. As I explained, the washing machine won’t start the spin cycle if it can’t empty water from the drum. The partially blocked drain system can empty the hub because the washer is programmed to give enough time for this process. When the spin cycle starts, the blocked drain system won’t have enough time to release the liquid because the spin cycle is limited by time. The same signs will appear when the drain pump works but less effectively. It could be blocked or damaged. Sometimes, the diagnosis of this subvariant could be challenging. The hints are that the washer completes the spin cycle and can do the high-speed spin.
The correct cause is the broken drum support.
Now, I will address the leading cause. This is an unbalanced drum issue caused by a broken drum support. Yes, it could also be an unbalanced load. But when the washer is damaged, any distribution or even changing the load won’t have an effect. At the first stage of the issue, the washer would finish the spin cycle if you put light loads. Some technicians could advise distributing the load, but it usually won’t help. Most users have known their washers for years and can distinguish the uneven load issue.
The customer could tell you three cases showing the same problem: the Samsung washer won’t finish the spin cycle.
- The washer shows the spin cycle on the display. It tries to distribute the clothes, turns slowly forward and back, stops, and repeats the cycle infinitely. The time on the display will count from 10-12 to 2-4 minutes and back to 10-12 minutes, repeating the cycles. This happens when the support is broken on one side, and the shaft with the drum looks aside. The drum is unbalanced because the support (spider) is cracked and loose.
- The washing machine will finish the spin cycle. When you open the washer’s door, it will smoke and smell the burned rubber. In the second case, the support will be loose evenly, and the drum will advance from the washer’s back to the door. The drum edge will meet the door seal. While spinning, the drum will touch the seal rubber, causing smoke and a burning smell. The washer completes the spin cycle, which is beyond our topic. I am leaving this case here because this problem is caused by the broken drum support, too.
- The drum of the washing machine is completely loose and makes a noise when rotated by hand. In this case, the drum support is completely broken. Watch a video.
The broken drum support causes all of these cases.
In conclusion.
We can see that the same damaged part, the drum support, a spider, of the Samsung front-loading washing machine can cause several different breakdown pictures, which could make it challenging to diagnose the problem correctly. The rare cases of a partially blocked drain system and an unbalanced load should be distinguished. I hope my article will help the washer’s owner and the technician in this work.
How to repair and prevent the problem of the unfinished spin cycle because of the broken drum support
The prevention is easy. Do not overload the washing machine. Consistently distribute the clothes in the drum to avoid the unbalanced spins which damage the washer. The Samsung washer is not as strong as, for example, the LG. It usually works for about five years before the problem arises.
Replacing the broken drum support is possible but usually not economical because of the repair cost. First, the parts – the spider, their bolts, and maybe the bearing seal – will cost around $250 minimum. If we need to replace the damaged door seal, it will cost more than $150-200. We must disassemble the washing machine completely, separate the drum, remove the old support, install the new one and put the washer together. It will take at least 3-4 hours if everything goes smoothly. Watch a video.
Therefore, I recommended that they replace the unit when the customer explained that the front-loading Samsung washing machine wouldn’t finish the spin cycle.