If a Samsung washer drains normally but will not spin, the drain pump has completed at least part of its job. The stronger leads become load balance, the door or lid lock, cycle settings, calibration, motor feedback, and the drive system.
Safety first: Stop the appliance and disconnect power before touching accessible filters, hoses, or panels. Never bypass a door or lid switch, probe energized wiring, or continue using an appliance that smells hot, sparks, leaks near electrical parts, or repeatedly trips a breaker.
What to Check First
Before replacing a part, note when the symptom occurs, any display code, whether the appliance completes a controlled test, and the full model number. Those details prevent unrelated parts from being replaced.
Step-by-Step Diagnosis
1. Confirm the tub is truly empty
A thin layer below the basket may be normal, but visible retained water means drainage is not fully cleared.
2. Test empty
Run Spin Only or Rinse+Spin with no laundry. Success points toward load distribution.
3. Correct UB or UR behavior
Untangle and redistribute items; level the machine on a firm floor.
4. Check the lock
The washer may drain even when the lock cannot confirm a safe high-speed spin.
5. Review spin speed
Confirm No Spin was not selected and the chosen cycle permits a final spin.
6. Run supported Calibration Mode
Use the exact model manual; Temp plus Delay End is common but not universal.
7. Power-reset after correction
Disconnect briefly, restore, and retry the empty test.
8. Escalate no-motion symptoms
If the tub will not move in calibration or empty spin, the motor, Hall sensor, wiring, lock, or control may require testing.
Components Related to This Symptom
A technician may inspect the door or lid lock, suspension, motor, Hall sensor, wiring harness, and control board. The symptom alone does not prove that any one component has failed.
When to Call a Professional
Schedule service when the safe external checks do not solve the problem, the same code returns, or diagnosis requires a meter, internal wiring access, appliance removal, gas work, or major disassembly. Stop immediately for smoke, burning or gas odor, sparking, a hot plug, a repeated breaker trip, water near electrical parts, or severe mechanical noise.
Related Troubleshooting Guides
Samsung washer UB error, Samsung washer 5C/5E error, washer not spinning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can it drain with a bad door lock?
Yes. Pump operation and permission for high-speed spin are separate.
Why does it spin empty but not with clothes?
Load size, distribution, suspension, or leveling is the likely difference.
Does UB mean the motor is bad?
No. It normally indicates an unbalanced load condition.
Bottom Line
Start with the checks that require no disassembly, use only the documented procedure for the exact model, and stop guessing if the symptom returns. A qualified technician can test the safety, drive, drainage, sensing, wiring, and control components under the correct conditions.