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Washer Won’t Drain: What to Check First

Water left in the drum? Here are the most common causes and the safe checks you can do yourself.

Finding a drum full of water at the end of a cycle is frustrating, but the cause is often simple. Unplug the washer before checking anything.

1. Run a drain and spin cycle

Make sure the cycle wasn’t paused or stopped early. Select drain and spin and see if the water empties.

2. Check the drain hose

Pull the washer forward carefully and look for kinks or crushed sections in the drain hose behind it.

3. Clean the pump filter on front-load washers

Most front-load washers have a small access panel at the bottom front. Place towels and a shallow pan underneath, then slowly unscrew the filter. Coins, hair ties and small socks often collect here.

4. Check your household drain

If the standpipe or laundry sink is slow to drain, the clog may be in your home’s plumbing rather than the washer.

5. Watch the detergent

Too much detergent, or regular detergent in an HE washer, creates excess suds that can stop the washer from draining properly.

When to call

If the pump hums but no water moves, makes no sound at all, or the washer shows a drain error after these checks, the pump or control may need service. See our washer repair service.