Washer Not Draining? Start With the Pump Filter

If your washer finishes with water still in the tub, the drain path is blocked or the drain pump isn’t running. On front-loaders, nine times out of ten it’s a sock, a hair tie or coins in the pump filter behind the little door at the bottom front. On top-loaders it’s more often a kinked drain hose, a clogged standpipe or a failed pump.

Here’s how to narrow it down before anyone comes out.

Common causes

Clogged pump filter (front-loaders). Samsung, LG, Bosch, Whirlpool and most other front-loaders have a coin trap you’re supposed to clean every few months. Almost nobody does. Small clothes and lint pile up until the water can’t get through.

Kinked or crushed drain hose. It happens when the washer gets pushed back against the wall after a move or a cleaning, which is easy to do in tight San Francisco Bay Area laundry closets.

Clogged house drain. If water backs up out of the standpipe or the laundry sink overflows, the washer is fine and the clog is in the house plumbing. That’s a plumber’s job, not an appliance tech’s.

Failed drain pump. You’ll hear a hum with no water moving, or nothing at all. Pumps wear out, and they also burn out from running against a clog for weeks.

Lid switch or door lock. Many washers won’t drain or spin if they don’t detect a closed lid or locked door. If the washer also won’t spin, see washer not spinning.

Control or error codes. An OE code on an LG or a 5C/5E on a Samsung means drain error. Look up yours on our LG washer error codes or Samsung washer error codes pages.

Safe checks you can do

1. Turn it off and unplug it. Wait for the water to cool if you ran a hot cycle.
2. Put down towels and a baking pan. A front-loader filter can release a gallon or more of water. Open the little hatch, pull the small drain hose first if there is one, and let it empty slowly.
3. Unscrew the filter and clean it. Turn counter-clockwise. Pull out lint and anything else you find. Check the pump impeller behind it with a flashlight and see if it turns freely.
4. Check the drain hose. Pull the washer out an inch or two and make sure the hose isn’t bent or crushed.
5. Run a drain/spin cycle by itself. If it drains now, you’re done. If you hear the pump hum and nothing moves, it’s still blocked or the pump is bad.

Don’t tilt a full washer to drain it. The tub is heavy, and water gets into the controls.

When to call a pro

Book a visit when a clean filter doesn’t fix it, when the pump makes a grinding or humming noise, if you see an error code that keeps coming back, or if water is leaking under the machine (see washer leaking). We stock common drain pumps and use OEM parts. If you want to book it in, the washer repair page has the details.

Need a tech? Call (415) 585-5900 or text us, or book online. We’re licensed & insured and EPA certified, and we serve homes across the San Francisco Bay Area. Same-day service is often available. The $219 service call is free if you have us do the repair.

FAQ

How do I drain a washer that’s full of water?

On a front-loader, use the small emergency drain hose next to the pump filter at the bottom front. On a top-loader, lower the drain hose into a bucket below the water level, or bail it out.

How often should I clean the washer pump filter?

Every two to three months for a family, or any time you notice slow draining or an odor.

Can a clogged filter damage the pump?

Yes. The pump keeps trying to push water against the blockage and can overheat. Cleaning the filter is cheap insurance.

Will my washer drain if the lid switch is bad?

Often not. Many washers stop draining and spinning when they can’t confirm the lid is closed or the door is locked.