The Drum Fills but Doesn't Turn — What's Wrong?
If your washing machine fills with water normally and you can hear the motor running, but the drum does not turn, the problem lies somewhere in the drive train between the motor and the drum. Here are the most likely causes in order of frequency.
1. Worn or Broken Drive Belt
Most conventional washing machines (non-Direct Drive models) use a rubber drive belt to connect the motor to the drum pulley. If this belt breaks or snaps off the pulley, the drum will not turn even though the motor runs. You can often confirm this by opening the machine's back panel — a broken belt will be visible on the floor of the machine. Drive belt replacement is one of the simpler washing machine repairs: £70–£120 including parts and labour.
2. Worn Carbon Brushes
If the brushes have worn completely flat, the motor cannot generate sufficient torque to turn the drum under load — though it may still hum or attempt to start. This is distinct from the belt scenario: with a broken belt, the motor spins freely; with dead brushes, the motor itself cannot develop power. Carbon brush replacement typically costs £70–£110.
3. Motor Failure
If the belt is intact, the brushes are good, and the drum still does not turn, the motor itself may have failed. Motor faults typically produce either complete silence from the motor or a humming with no rotation. Motor replacement costs £120–£220 on conventional machines; more on Direct Drive models. Given this cost, apply the 50% rule carefully before committing to a motor replacement on an older machine.
4. Drum Seized by a Foreign Object
A coin, underwire, or small metal object that has escaped the drum through the gaps around the door seal can jam between the drum and the outer tub, preventing rotation. If the motor is clearly running and straining, try to rotate the drum manually by hand (machine switched off) — if it feels blocked rather than free-spinning, this is the likely cause. An engineer will need to dismantle part of the machine to retrieve the obstruction.
5. Control Board Not Sending Signal to Motor
If the motor tests fine, the control board may not be sending the correct drive signal. This requires electronic diagnosis and is the most expensive scenario (PCB replacement £120–£250). Most engineers will check the simpler mechanical causes first before reaching this conclusion.