A washer full of standing water is a mess, but the cause is often something simple like a clogged filter or a kinked hose. This guide walks through what to check first and the six most common reasons a washing machine will not drain, so you can fix it yourself or know when it is time to call a Jacksonville appliance repair technician.
Safety first: unplug the washer before you reach into it or pull it away from the wall. Standing water and electricity do not mix. Have towels and a shallow pan ready before you open any drain filter.
Quick checks before you do anything else
- Look for a drain error code. A drain code on the display tells you the washer detected the problem. Common ones are LG OE, Samsung 5E or SE, and Whirlpool F5 E1.
- Check the drain hose for kinks. Pull the washer out slightly and make sure the hose behind it is not bent, crushed or pinched against the wall.
- Run a drain and spin cycle. Sometimes a one-time load imbalance or an interrupted cycle leaves water behind.
- Check that nothing else in the house is draining slowly. If a sink or tub nearby is also slow, the clog may be in your home's drain line.
6 common reasons a washer will not drain
1. A kinked or clogged drain hose
The hose carries water from the pump to your home's standpipe. A kink, a lint clog or a crushed section stops the water. Disconnect it (with the washer unplugged and a pan ready), look through it, and flush it out if it is blocked. Also make sure the hose is not pushed so far into the standpipe that it seals it.
2. A clogged drain pump filter
Many front-load washers have a small access panel at the bottom front. Behind it is a filter that catches coins, socks, hair ties, lint and other small items. Place towels and a shallow pan underneath, then slowly unscrew the filter so the water drains out gradually. Clean out any debris, reinstall the filter fully and try a drain cycle. Cleaning this filter every few months prevents most drain problems.
3. A blocked or failing drain pump
If the filter is clear but the washer still will not drain, the pump itself may have debris jammed in the impeller, or the motor may have worn out. Signs include a loud humming or grinding noise while it tries to drain, or no sound at all. A failed pump has to be replaced.
4. A clogged household drain or standpipe
If water backs up out of the standpipe or you hear gurgling, the clog is in your home's plumbing, not the washer. A plumber or a drain snake is the fix.
5. A faulty water level switch or control board
The washer uses a pressure or water level switch to know how much water is in the tub. If it fails, the control board may never start the drain cycle or may think the tub is still full. These parts have to be tested to confirm.
6. A worn motor coupling on a top-load washer
On many top-load washers, a plastic drive or pump coupling can wear out. The motor runs, but the pump or basket does not turn, so the washer will not drain or spin. This is a common repair on older machines.
How to drain the water out by hand
If the tub is full and you need to get your clothes out, many front-load washers have a small emergency drain hose near the filter. Pull it out, lower it into a shallow pan and let the water flow out in stages. For top-load washers, you can bail the water out with a bucket after unplugging the machine, and then remove the wet clothes.
When to call a washer repair technician
Call if the filter and hose are clear and the washer still will not drain, if you hear a grinding or humming drain pump, or if the washer keeps showing a drain error code. Hedlund Appliance Service repairs washers in Jacksonville 32224, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach. We test the pump, switch and wiring with a multimeter, then give you the price and an honest repair-or-replace recommendation before any work begins. See our washer repair page for more.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there standing water in my washer after the cycle?
The most common causes are a clogged drain pump filter, a kinked or clogged drain hose, or a failed drain pump. A clog in your home's drain line can also cause the washer to hold water.
Is it safe to run my washer with water still in it?
No. Running the washer with water that will not drain can cause overflow, damage the pump and make a mess. Unplug it, find the cause and drain the water before running another cycle.
How often should I clean my washer's drain filter?
A good habit is to check and clean it every few months, and any time you wash bulky items or clothes with pockets that may hold small objects.
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Washer won't drain in Jacksonville?
Call or text Hedlund Appliance Service. We are open 24 hours Monday through Friday. Send your model number and what the appliance is doing and we will tell you what to expect.