Do you have a washing machine that won’t drain? If every function on your washing machine works except it WILL NOT DRAIN OUT THE WATER, here are the most common reasons why. We will explain the parts on your washer that may be causing the problem of “no drain”. The symptoms we list will be generalized and will include the most common parts that can fail, malfunction or break. Note that there are differences with newer front loading washers compared to older top loading washers. See here if your WASHER WILL NOT SPIN OR DRAIN.
There are roughly 6 different parts on most washing machines that could be causing your WASHER NOT DRAINING problem. We will list each part in question along with a detailed description of that parts function.
Troubleshoot Why Your Washing Machine Will NOT Drain
The drain pump is the main part in your washing machine that pumps out the water. If this is defective or has failed in any way, this will be the reason why your washer will not drain the water. Before you order a new drain pump, make sure to check the pump to be sure a small object like clothing or similar has not lodged itself inside of it causing the NO DRAIN issue. If the drain pump is not clogged, you can test it with a multimeter and remove and replace if needed. Go to Google or YouTube and search for “Replace Washing Machine Drain Pump” then type your brand and model number of washer to show you details on replacement.
COMMON WASHING MACHINE DRAIN PUMP
The washing machine drain hose is where the water flows through to get the water out. If this drain hose is blocked, kinked, bent, or clogged, the washer will NOT be able to remove the water from the tub. Check the drain hose to be sure it allows the water to flow freely. You can take the drain hose off and run water through it in your sink to be sure it is not blocked. If there is water STILL in the washer when you remove the drain hose, grab a bucket as the water will exit from where you disconnected it. You can search Google or YouTube for “How To Remove Washing Machine Drain Hose” to assist you.
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LOCATION OF WASHING MACHINE DRAIN HOSE – CHECK FOR BLOCKAGE
The water pump belt (to drain out the water) may have broke or become frayed or loose. If this belt breaks then it is unable to drain and remove the water from your washer. Inspect the belt to see if this is causing the NO DRAIN issue and remove and replace if needed. Go to Google or YouTube and search for “How To Replace Pump Belt On Washing Machine” then type your brand and model number of washer to show you details on replacement.
The drive belt rides on the pulleys. If this belt is not tight enough or if it is broken it cannot move the appropriate parts to drain. Inspect the drive belt to see if this is causing the NO DRAIN issue and remove and replace if needed.
Go to YouTube or Google and search for “How To Replace A Drive Belt On A Washing Machine” then type your brand and model number of washer to show you details on replacement.
COMMON WASHING MACHINE DRIVE BELT
If the lid switch is not working as required it will cause your washer to not drain (and many other problems). This may be unlikely as a bad lid switch will usually cause your washer to also not agitate or spin. However on some models this can vary. The best thing to do if you have a suspected bad lid switch is to test it. It can fail electrically and or mechanically. If mechanical failure is the issue, you should be able to see if it is cracked, broken, or not in place to make contact with the lid. To test it electrically, use a multimeter set on Ohms and test it for continuity. Go to Google or YouTube and search for “How To Test A Washing Machine Lid Switch For Continuity“. If the lid switch does end up being the cause of your washer not draining, then remove and replace the switch as needed.
COMMON WASHING MACHINE LID SWITCH
If the door lock switch on your washer has failed, this can prevent the washer from draining out the water. Check this switch for continuity and remove and replace if needed. Go to YouTube or Google and search for “How To Replace A Washing Machine Door Lock Switch” then type in your brand and model number to show you details on replacement.
COMMON DOOR LOCKING SWITCH FOR WASHING MACHINES
Are you an experienced Appliance Technician with many years of Washing Machine Repair? Please leave a comment below if you know of other reasons why a washer will not drain.
Looking for WASHING MACHINE ERROR CODES?
Here are error codes for Amana, Asko, Beko, Bosch, Frigidaire, GE,
Hotpoint, Kenmore, LG, Maytag, Samsung, and Whirlpool washers.
Here is a webpage with ALL ERROR CODES for all washing machines.
If anyone visiting this page still has unanswered questions about repairing your washer that won’t drain, feel free to ask us a question below and we will troubleshoot your issue and answer you back ASAP.
Written by Keith Schneerer
Certified Appliance Tech · Founder, RemoveAndReplace.com
Keith has spent 30+ years repairing machines, starting as a military mechanic and later maintaining food processing equipment before moving into appliance repair. He founded RemoveAndReplace.com to share field-tested repair advice.
More about Keith →
Deanna,
If you overloaded the washer, but it still spins as normal, and now the clothes are wet at the end of the cycle, you may have somehow caused a blockage in the drain pump or drain hose. Make sure the drain hose does not have anything in it causing a blockage. Make sure it is not bent or kinked. If the drain hose is okay the issue is most likely the drain pump has an object clogging it. Here is a video on YouTube about how to remove the drain pump on a Whirlpool top load washer. (Note: This video is for the replacement of the drain pump, but it will show you where it is located and how to do it safely)
-RR
I recently made the mistake of washing my king size comforter in my top loader whirlpool. The washer is probably only 6 years old and 3 or 4 of them it sat in storage. After washing the comforter the washer didn’t drain properly, I tried to run just a spin cycle and it was still very wet. Now every time I wash a load the clothes towards the bottom are still soaked, I try to ring out as much as I can and then dry. I am worried I am going to break my dryer putting clothes in that are still so wet. The washer does spin and normally there is only a little water at the bottom so it has to be draining a little. I can’t tell if it is like the gears are stripped from the big blanket so when there is weight in there it won’t spin hard enough or what. It does seem there is still soap in the clothes when I move them over to the dryer also. I am so regretting washing that darn blanket…Thanks for any help!
Lou,
If you have checked the motor/pump, lid switch, wire harnesses, then most likely you have a bad timer assembly. You can test the timer… Troubleshooting What Causes the Washer Timer to Fail.
-RR
I have an older Whirlpool washer that I’ve used for years with no issues until recently. Agitates fine. Will not drain and go into the spin cycle. I have already bypassed the lid switch, changed the water pump and still won’t work. No noise or anything from motor. Checked all my hoses to see if any were clogged. All clear. I have tried all the timer settings from a short 2 minute wash to full and also small and large load settings. The only thing I can think of would be the timer. How do you check if the timer has failed? Any advice, suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.
Naomi,
If the knob on your Haier washing machine is not moving properly, the knob itself could be cracked or the timer assembly may be broken. If the Haier washer will not drain, check the drain hose for crimps and the drain pump for blockage.
-RR
I want to ask a question concerning my Haier Thermocool washing machine, the machine is not draining and I guess my draining problem is from the knob. When I want to turn it to drain, the knob was not firm again. But it spins and washes. Please how would u help?
Thank you… I will check the hose and there is a quarter of water left at the bottom.