Washer Won't Drain? Try This Before Calling a Repair Tech

A washer that ends its cycle with a tub full of standing water and soaked clothes is one of the most common service calls we get. The good news is that drainage problems are often caused by something simple, a clog, a kinked hose, a stuck lid switch, and roughly a third of the time, it's something you can check and fix yourself in under 15 minutes.

Before you call a technician, work through these checks in order. If none of them solve it, you'll at least be able to tell the technician exactly what you've already ruled out, which speeds up the visit.

Step-by-Step: What to Check

1. Check the drain hose for kinks or clogs Pull the washer away from the wall and look at the drain hose. A sharp kink, especially where it bends to reach the standpipe or sink drain, is one of the most common culprits. Straighten it out and run a quick test cycle.
2. Clean the drain pump filter Most front-load washers, and some top-loaders, have a small access panel near the bottom front of the machine. Behind it is a filter that catches coins, buttons, lint, and small items. A clogged filter is probably the single most common cause of drainage problems. Have a towel ready, this step is messy.
3. Check for a clogged drain hose or standpipe If your washer drains into a standpipe or utility sink, check that it isn't blocked. A slow household drain can back up into the washer and look exactly like a washer malfunction when it's actually a plumbing issue.
4. Look for an overloaded or unbalanced load An extremely overloaded load, especially with bulky items like comforters, can prevent the spin cycle from engaging properly, which stops the drain cycle from completing. Try redistributing the load or running a smaller one.
5. Check the lid or door switch If the washer's lid or door switch isn't engaging fully, some machines won't complete the spin and drain cycle as a safety measure. Make sure the door is closing and latching properly.

When It's Time to Call a Technician

If you've cleaned the filter, checked the hose, and ruled out an overloaded load but the washer still won't drain, the problem is likely one of these, all of which require a technician:

• A failed drain pump motor. If the pump doesn't hum or spin at all when the drain cycle starts, the motor itself has likely failed.
• A broken drive belt. On some top-load washers, a single belt drives both the agitator and the pump. A broken belt affects draining even though the washer otherwise seems to run.
• A faulty lid switch or door lock assembly. These are electrical components and shouldn't be tested or replaced without proper training.
• A control board issue. Less common, but a board that isn't sending the right signal to the pump can prevent draining even when every mechanical part is fine.

See our full washer repair page for typical cost ranges, or browse our full list of appliance repair services if the issue turns out to be something else entirely.

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