Washer Won't Drain

The short answer: this is almost always a blockage, not an electrical fault. The drain pump filter is the first place to look, since it catches coins, lint and small items.

If that’s clear, the usual suspects are the drain pump, the hose, or the household drain.

What usually causes it

• Clogged drain pump filter. It catches coins, lint and small items, and it’s the most common cause.
• Failing drain pump. The pump can hum, clog or stop pushing water out.
• Kinked or clogged drain hose. A crushed hose behind the washer, or lint in it, blocks the flow.
• Faulty lid or door switch. If the washer doesn’t detect a closed lid, it may not start the drain.
• Clogged house drain. If the standpipe overflows or other drains are slow, the problem is in the plumbing.

What you can check yourself

• Unplug it and clean the pump filter. It’s behind a small panel at the bottom front. Use a pan and towels, and clear out coins, lint and socks.
• Check the drain hose. Look for a kink behind the washer, and make sure it isn’t pushed too far into the standpipe.
• Check the house drain. If water backs out of the standpipe or other drains are slow, the clog is in the plumbing.
• Try the cycle again. An open lid or unbalanced load can stop a drain or spin.

How to prevent it

• Check pockets before washing.
• Clean the pump filter every few months on front-load machines.
• Use the right amount of HE detergent and don’t overload.

When to call a technician

Call us if:

• The filter and hose are clear but the water stays in
• The pump hums, clicks or makes no sound
• Water backs up out of the standpipe

These repairs involve live voltage, gas or hidden parts, so we recommend leaving them to a professional.

Service call: $89, waived when you go ahead with the repair. Warranty: 90 days on every repair.