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.
If you know what Washing Machine Replacement Parts you need,
here is where to get them at a GREAT PRICE and most have FREE shipping.
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.
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We have an LG WT1101 Top Loader that is doing exactly this. Everything is working as it should, however it will not drain. We checked for clogs and removed the pump, which stopped running completely. It was free of debris, so we purchased a new pump, and unfortunately it would not make sound as well. It looks like it is not getting power, however everything else is working as it should. Is it common for just the drain pump to independently not get power, but everything else still work? Any help is greatly appreciated.
I have a frigidaire front loading washer model number FAFW3577KNO. For maybe the past month it has been stopping at the drain and spin cycle. I’ve been able to switch to a different cycle like whites or spin only or handwash and it would complete the cycle. But this last time it wouldn’t drain or spin no matter what cycle I put it on so I took out the clothes and tried the spin only cycle with just the water and it still wouldn’t drain. I left just the water in the washer so I could research trouble shooting. So it’s been a few days and I set the washer to spin only and turn it on just to see what it would do and it’s drains and spins the water. Any suggestions on why this would be happening and if I can possible fix it myself? Thanks
Hi Kevin,
I have a 8 year old front load Samsung washer.
I have been having the “no drain” code.
I have changed the drain pump out and replaced the drain sensor with no luck.
After reading your post I wonder if that is what my problem is as in regard to the drain relay.
I would like to know how you found the relays on eBay as I’m not finding anything like that, maybe I’m not wording it right in the search box.
Would appreciate any help!
Suzanne,
Are you not able to reposition the drain tube so the washer drains as normal? Try to get the washer to drain this way instead of manually draining the washer.
If you have to manually drain out the water:
Let the water out of the Frigidaire top loader by either opening the front bottom filter and using a bucket to catch the water.
OR
Use the drain hose by pulling it out of the wall and letting it drain into a floor drain or a bucket.
-RR
My Frigidaire top loader MLTU16FGAWB, serial no. 1503S00504, is half full of water. The drain pipe is situated too high on the back of the machine for the water to come out by gravity. Someone recommended taking out the filter to let the water drain out the bottom. Where and how do I find the filter? Or in what other way do I get the water out?
I have a Defy Top Load DLT139 Washer that is not draining out water. What could be the problem?
Mark Wilson,
The timer/control board controls when the washer drains.
No actual sensor… If your Kenmore washer will NOT DRAIN, you most likely have a drain pump clogged, or drain hose bent or blocked.
-RR