Washing Machine Not Draining? What to Check
A washer that leaves water in the drum can have a simple drainage obstruction or a component problem. Start with non-invasive checks before assuming the pump has failed.
20–45 minutes
Before you start
- Unplug the washer before accessing filters, hoses, or service areas.
- Check whether the drain hose is kinked, crushed, or positioned incorrectly.
- Consult the appliance manual for the correct user-accessible filter or drain procedure.
Step-by-step
- 1Cancel the cycle and follow the manufacturer's safe drain procedure if water remains in the machine.
- 2Inspect the visible drain hose for kinks or compression.
- 3Clean only the user-serviceable drain filter or trap described in the manual.
- 4Check for an unbalanced or overloaded load and retry the appropriate drain/spin cycle.
- 5If the washer still will not drain, note any error code and use the exact model number when seeking service.
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Diagnose My RepairGeneral informational guidance only. Follow manufacturer instructions and use an appropriately licensed professional when a repair is unsafe or outside your experience.