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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Ms. Slaught,
It sounds as if you have examined the drain hose but not the drain pump. If the pump itself is clogged with debris, the washer cannot drain. Have you unplugged the washer and checked to see if the drain pump is clean and in working order? Check the drain pump and clean it out if necessary. You will need to get into the washer to do this. Do you have a multimeter? It could also be not receiving the correct power voltage. Please give us the model number of your Roper washer.
-RR
I have a top load washer Roper washer it is an old washer. I been reading all the comments and some where the same as the problem I have going on. My husband has master reset it and followed steps a to c and my washer will wash my clothes but when its time to drain it on spin cycle the water goes no where. We tried the drain hose taking it apart, unplugging the washer machine, all the above. I don’t know if this is something we can do our self or do I have to take it in for repair please help.
Amanda,
You most likely have a clog in the drain pump, drain hose, or the drain trap. Make sure the drain hose is not bent. Clean the drain trap. You may need to gain access to the drain pump and see it is clogged with debris. There could also be an error with the main control board. How old is the washer and what is the model number?
-RR
I have a Samsung front loader and the washer went through the wash cycle but when it got to the drain/spin cycle a code was flashing and the water will not drain. I restarted it on rinse and spin and it would rinse but yet again when it got to spin it stopped. The door is locked, I have unplugged the washer to reset it. What else could be the problem?
Thomas Helms,
Try this for a test… take the drain hose out from the wall (leave attached to the washer) and when the machine comes to drain mode, hold the hose into a bucket and see if it drains. Try this and let us know what happens. We can assist further if you let us know what happens.
-RR
Helios,
You need to reposition the drain hose to be lower than your washer or it cannot pump out the water. See this page Washer drains as it fills, to help you understand how all this works…
-RR
My LG WT1101CW doesn’t drain. When I run a spin cycle, I hear a humming but I can’t tell if that is the pump attempting to work, or humming from other mechanisms in the machine. When I remove the drain hose from the wall and put it into a bucket, water comes out and I am able to mostly drain the machine (there is still water that won’t come out because the hose can’t go any lower). What do you think the issue could be? If I need to remove the pump, how would I disconnect the hoses without the remaining water spilling into the body of the washer? It’s only been two days and the smell coming from the machine is *TERRIBLE*, I just want to at least get rid of all the water. Thanks.