Washer Won't Drain: 4 Common Causes and Fixes
Opening the washer to find a drum full of standing water is frustrating, but the cause is usually one of four specific parts. Here is what to check first.
Opening the washer to find a drum full of standing water is frustrating, but the cause is usually one of four specific parts. Here is what to check first.
A washer that fills and agitates normally but will not drain is one of the most common laundry room complaints. The cycle usually stops with an error code, or simply ends with a drum full of soapy water. Here are the four causes to check, starting with the easiest.
Most washers have a small filter that catches coins, buttons, lint, and small socks before they reach the pump. When this filter clogs, or when debris makes it past the filter and lodges in the pump itself, water cannot drain. This is the single most common cause and often the easiest to fix.
The flexible hose that carries water from the washer to your home's drain can get kinked behind the machine, especially after moving or reinstalling the unit. A sharp bend restricts flow just as effectively as a clog.
As a safety measure, washers will not drain or spin if the lid or door switch does not register as securely closed. A worn or misaligned switch can prevent the drain cycle from ever starting, even though everything else appears normal.
If the filter and hose are clear but water still will not drain, the pump motor itself may have burned out or seized. This is less common but requires replacement rather than cleaning.
If you have checked the filter and hose and the washer still will not drain, or if you hear a humming pump that never seems to move water, the pump motor itself likely needs professional attention. Leaving standing water in the drum for long periods can also strain the motor further and encourage mold growth, so it is worth addressing promptly.
Our licensed technicians offer same-day and 24-hour emergency washing machine repair across Syracuse, NY and Onondaga County.
Call (315) 881-9135 NowThis is typically caused by a clogged drain pump, a kinked or blocked drain hose, or a lid or door switch that is not registering as closed.
Yes, most washers have a small drain filter or hose accessible from the front panel that can be opened carefully to release standing water into a shallow pan.
Coins, buttons, small socks, bra underwires, and pet hair are the most frequent culprits found lodged in drain pumps and filters.
Yes. Standing water left in the drum can strain the motor and lead to mold growth, so it is best addressed promptly.