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,
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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.
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My whirlpool washer stops after agitating & doesn’t go to the next cycle, so it remains with a tub of water. Even manually moving the dial to another cycle doesn’t work. I thought it was the timer, so I replaced it. It still does not work. Any suggestions?
Belinda,
If you checked the drain pump and drain hose, have you checked the pump pull out filter at bottom of machine? If you pull the drain hose from the wall and put it in a bucket (for testing purposes) does the washer drain? Did you actually remove and inspect the inside of the drain pump to see if it is indeed clear of debris?
-RR
Bartelot,
Most likely the washers mechanical/electrical timer is faulty. You can find a timer for your washing machine for around $100 dollars online. Replacing them are fairly easy as just watching a few YouTube videos will show you how.
-RR
I have a Whirlpool Model LSR8233JQ1 Type 111 that will get stuck in its cycle at the point where it should be draining. It will sit there for an indefinite amount of time, and then suddenly drain and continue normally to the end of its cycle. At first this behavior was just occasional, but it has become the rule. The amount of time it sits before continuing is highly variable but has been many hours recently. I haven’t been able to find anything I can do to influence its starting up again (such as turning the machine off and back on, rotating through the dial, or unplugging it. None of the potential issues you listed in your article seem to apply to this problem. Do you have an ideas for me?
My GE front loader will not drain. We thought it was the pump, took that off and checked it for power it does indeed have power. Checked for debris in pump and drain hoses. Any other ideas what this could be?
Anne Marie,
If the washer is blowing the fuse, there is either something binding up in the washer mechanically causing it to blow the fuse or an electrical component in the washer is grounding out on the metal frame. For this you will have to take the washer apart and troubleshoot what may be causing the issue. You could also just have an issue with the drain pump. Either way, you will need to take apart the washer to find out.
-RR
I have a Sears Kenmore washer and the washer will not drain. When I try to put it in the cycle the washer blows a fuse in my electrical box. My dryer is on the same fuse and nothing happens when this is on. Any ideas what to do????