Washing Machine Not Agitating? The Worn Agitator Dogs Fix
If the tub fills and drains but the agitator barely swishes, the plastic dogs inside it are probably worn. A repair kit costs far less than a new washer.
By Jamilur Rahman Updated November 5, 2026 · 6 min read
- Time
- 45 min
- Cost
- $20-$50
- Difficulty
- Medium
In this guide
Quick answer
A washing machine that is not agitating, while the tub fills and drains normally, often has worn agitator dogs. These are the small plastic pawls that make the agitator swish back and forth. Check the cheap causes first, then pull the agitator and replace the dogs with a repair kit made for your model. It costs a fraction of a new washer.
Free fix vs. permanent fix
Rule out the simple causes
- Run the regular cycle with a smaller load
- Unplug, then turn the agitator by hand
- Tighten the agitator bolt if it is loose
- Listen for a clicking or ratcheting sound
How long it lasts: Only if the problem was the load, the cycle or a loose bolt. Worn dogs will not recover.
An agitator dogs repair kit for your model
Worn dogs cannot catch the drive, so the agitator slips instead of swishing. New dogs restore the grip. Tightening, cleaning or changing cycles cannot rebuild a worn plastic part.
What to get: Agitator repair kit for your washer brand and model
How long it lasts: Years. New dogs grip the drive again, so the agitator moves as it used to.
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What you'll need
-
Work gloves
Worn plastic can have sharp edges
You have it -
Putty knife
Pries the cap off the agitator
You have it -
Socket wrench set
For the agitator bolt
You have it - Our pick Illustration
Agitator dogs repair kit
Match your washer brand and model number
- Illustration
Agitator dogs set only
If the cam under the dogs is still smooth
Why it happens
Worn or broken agitator dogs
The dogs are small pawls at the base of the agitator that catch a ratchet on the drive shaft. When they wear round or crack, they slip. You may hear clicking, and the agitator may spin freely by hand.
A worn cam or splines
The part the dogs grab can wear too. If it is chewed, new dogs alone will not hold, so look for a kit that includes the cam.
A loose agitator bolt
A bolt that has backed off lets the agitator wobble and fail to engage.
A broken motor coupling or belt
If the tub does not spin either, the fault is below the tub: a coupling, a belt or the transmission. That is a different repair.
An overloaded tub or a gentle cycle
A packed tub can stall the agitator, and delicate cycles agitate slowly by design. Test on the regular cycle before you open anything.
Try this first (free)
Do these in order, starting with the simplest.
-
Test a regular cycle with a small load
Run the regular or normal cycle with a few towels. A gentle cycle agitates slowly, and a packed tub can stall it. If it agitates normally now, you are done.
-
Unplug the washer and turn the agitator by hand
Tool used: Work glovesUnplug it and shut off the water. Grip the agitator and twist it both ways. Many models resist one way and click past the other. If it spins freely in both directions, the dogs are likely worn.
-
Pull the agitator
Tool used: Putty knifePry off the cap with a putty knife, remove the bolt or screw and lift the agitator straight up. Rock it gently if it sticks. Do not pry against the tub.
-
Inspect the dogs and cam
Tool used: Socket wrench setLook for dogs that are cracked, chipped or worn round, and a cam with chewed edges. Soap buildup can jam them, so clean them and see if they move freely.
-
Fit the new dogs and reassemble
Tool used: Agitator dogs repair kitInstall the new dogs and any springs or seals from the kit in the same direction as the old ones, and photograph the old setup first. Reseat the agitator, tighten the bolt firmly and run a test load.
IllustrationCheck price on AmazonTool for this step
Agitator dogs repair kit · Match your washer brand and model number
When free fixes aren't enough
If the dogs look fine and the agitator still will not swish, or the tub does not spin, the problem is lower in the machine: a motor coupling, belt, transmission or lid switch. A coupling or belt is a manageable DIY job. A transmission often costs more than an older washer is worth. If you smell burning, see smoke or hear grinding from the motor, stop and call a technician. Always unplug the washer before you open it.
Buy the fix
Still stuck after the free fixes? These are the products we would look at.
| Pick | Product | Fixes | Who it's for | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best pick | Agitator repair kit for your washer brand and model | an agitator that does not swish because the dogs are worn | Owners of a top-load agitator washer that fills and spins but agitates weakly. | Check price |
| Budget pick | Agitator dogs set, dogs only | worn dogs when the cam and seals are still in good shape | Someone who pulled the agitator and sees a smooth, undamaged cam. | Check price |
Agitator repair kit for your washer brand and model
Fixes: an agitator that does not swish because the dogs are worn
Look for: Lists your washer brand and model number; Includes the dogs and any springs or seals; Includes a cam or ratchet if yours is worn.
- Who it's for
- Owners of a top-load agitator washer that fills and spins but agitates weakly.
- Honest downside
- Your washer has no tall agitator, such as a low-profile impeller or a front-loader. These kits will not fit.
Agitator dogs set, dogs only
Fixes: worn dogs when the cam and seals are still in good shape
Look for: Made for your washer brand and model; A complete set of dogs, not a single one; Plastic of the original thickness.
- Who it's for
- Someone who pulled the agitator and sees a smooth, undamaged cam.
- Honest downside
- The cam is chewed. New dogs on a worn cam will slip again.
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How we picked: How we picked: this page is based on washer repair guides, parts instructions from appliance makers, and the fixes owners report in reviews. We do not test products by hand.
How to fix a washing machine agitator: which kind do you have?
- Agitator with a cap and a center bolt: the dogs sit inside the base. Most repair kits are for this type.
- Low-profile wash plate with no tall agitator: there are no dogs. A different part wears out.
- Front-load washer: no agitator at all.
Find your model number first
The model number is on a label, often under the lid, on the back panel or around the top rim of the cabinet. Photograph it before you shop. Repair kits are matched by brand and model, so the wrong one will not fit.
What to skip
Big parts before the dogs
A transmission or motor costs many times more than a dogs kit. Rule out the dogs and the coupling before you buy bigger parts or a new washer. And skip spraying oil or grease inside the agitator. It attracts lint and gunk, and it will not fix a worn part.
Frequently asked questions
How do I fix a washing machine agitator?
How do I know if the agitator dogs are bad?
Why is my washer filling but not agitating?
Is it worth repairing a washer that will not agitate?
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