What is actually happening
This is different from a machine that will not spin: here the drum does not move at all, even at slow wash speed. On a belt-driven machine the belt has almost always come off or snapped, and the giveaway is that the motor can be heard running with nothing happening. On a direct-drive machine there is no belt, so the fault is the motor or its control.
The Whirlpool fault codes that point at this
A Whirlpool washing machine will usually tell you what it thinks is wrong before anyone opens it up. These are the codes we hold for this make that relate to drum not turning:
- C01 — C01 isn't a breakdown code — it's the second stage of Whirlpool's built-in test programme, so the machine has been put into diagnostic mode rather than a normal wash.
- C03 — C03 isn't a breakdown code — it's one stage of the machine's built-in service test, the part that runs the pumps.
- C04 — C04 isn't a fault — it's one of the steps in Whirlpool's built-in service test, the part that spins the drum up and measures how unevenly the load is sitting.
- C05 — C05 isn't a breakdown code — it's the last step of the engineer's built-in test routine, where the machine cuts power to the motor, lets the drum brake to a stop, releases the door and shuts itself down.
- E13 — The machine can't confirm the door is locked shut, so it won't start or continue the wash.
- F00 — The control board can't switch the drain pump on properly, so the machine stops rather than trying to empty itself.
- F05 — The machine can no longer read the water temperature, so it has abandoned the cycle rather than heat blind.
- F06 — The machine isn't getting any signal that the drum motor is turning, so it stops the cycle rather than carry on.
If yours is showing one of those, that is a much shorter conversation than a general fault — tell us the code when you book and the engineer can often carry the part.
The usual causes on a Whirlpool washing machine
- A snapped or dislodged drive belt
- Worn motor carbon brushes, leaving too little power to turn a loaded drum
- A seized drum bearing
- A failed motor or motor control board on direct-drive machines
- An item jammed between the inner and outer drum
What you can safely check yourself
- Turn the empty drum by hand — very free movement suggests a belt, stiffness or grinding suggests bearings
- Listen during a cycle for a motor running with no drum movement
- Check nothing is jammed at the drum edge
Still drum not turning?
Most of these need an engineer once the checks above are done. £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Our engineers work on Whirlpool machines week in, week out, so they arrive knowing the machine rather than reading the back of it. Local engineers across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.
Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need
Common questions
Why is my Whirlpool washing machine drum not turning?
The machine fills and the cycle runs, but the drum never rotates. This is different from a machine that will not spin: here the drum does not move at all, even at slow wash speed. On a belt-driven machine the belt has almost always come off or snapped, and the giveaway is that the motor can be heard running with nothing happening. On a direct-drive machine there is no belt, so the fault is the motor or its control.
Can I fix a Whirlpool washing machine drum not turning myself?
Turn the empty drum by hand — very free movement suggests a belt, stiffness or grinding suggests bearings. Listen during a cycle for a motor running with no drum movement. Check nothing is jammed at the drum edge. Beyond those checks this one normally needs an engineer.
What Whirlpool error codes mean drum not turning?
Whirlpool washing machines report this through their own fault codes. The ones that point at drum not turning are C01, C03, C04, C05, E13, F00. If your machine is showing one of those, that narrows it down considerably — each has its own guide on this site.
How much does a Whirlpool washing machine repair cost?
£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Other Whirlpool washing machine faults
- washing machine not draining
- washing machine not spinning
- washing machine leaking water
- washing machine making a loud noise
- washing machine not heating the water
- washing machine door will not open