It can be frustrating when you finish a load of laundry only to open the washing machine and find standing water still inside. There are a few common reasons a washer won’t drain properly and fixing the problem is usually pretty straightforward.
Clogged Drain Filter or Drain Pipe
The most common cause of a washing machine not draining water is a clog in either the drain filter or drain pipe.
Drain Filter
Your washing machine drain filter catches lint, dirt, grease and other debris that come out of your clothes in the wash water. Over time, this buildup can block water from exiting the tub. Cleaning the drain filter is an easy fix:
- Locate the drain filter. It’s usually near the bottom front of the washer behind a small door or panel.
- Pull out the filter to remove any debris. Rinse under hot water to wash away residue.
- Replace the filter, making sure it snaps back into place firmly.
Run a test cycle to confirm water drains properly.
Drain Pipe
The drain pipe carries water from the drain filter to your home’s main drainage line. If it becomes clogged with soap scum, lint, grease or other gunk, water can back up out of the pipe and flood the machine.
Carefully disconnect, clean and reconnect the pipe. You may need to call a plumber for severe clogs. Installing a drain trap in the outlet pipe can prevent future clogs.
Faulty Drain Pump
If your washer has a drain pump, failure of that component can leave water sitting stagnant in the drum. Drain pumps push water through the drain pipe. Over time, they wear out and stop effectively moving water.
Replacing a bad drain pump usually requires disassembling the washer to access internal parts. This repair is best left to appliance pros.
Kinked Drain Hose
Washing machines come equipped with a flexible drain hose that carries water from the pump to the drain pipe. If this hose gets kinked, bent or otherwise restricted, drainage can be dramatically reduced.
Carefully inspect the drain hose for any tight bends or pinches. Straighten as needed to allow water to pass freely again. Adjust hose clamps or guides that may be forcing sharp turns.
Unbalanced Load
When a washing machine is off-balance, the spin cycle that propels water out of the tub can be ineffective. If clothes and other items are bunched too much on one side, the drum won’t spin properly. This allows water to pool at the bottom rather than drain.
Redistribute the load more evenly and restart the spin cycle. This should wring out excess moisture so remaining water can drain freely.
Faulty Water Level Pressure Switch
Behind the dial that sets water level, a pressure switch controls valve openings to let the precise amount of water into the tub. If that switch malfunctions, too much water can overfill the drum and Disable drainage.
Professional appliance technicians have specialized tools to test switch continuity and operation. Replacing a bad pressure switch may be required to get your washer draining again.
Hopefully identifying the failed component through troubleshooting and fixing it gets your washing machine draining properly again. But if you’ve tried all the DIY fixes without success, don’t hesitate to call an appliance repair company. Washer drainage issues rarely fix themselves and allowing the problem to persist can lead to overtlooding, mold, mildew and damage to your laundry room or home.
References
[1] Home Depot – How to Unclog a Washing Machine Drain https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-unclog-a-washing-machine-drain/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90e015c987f
[2] Family Handyman – Washing Machine Not Draining Water https://www.familyhandyman.com/appliance-repair/washing-machine-repair/fix-a-washing-machine-not-draining-water/
[3] This Old House – How to Fix a Washing Machine That Won’t Drain https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ laundry-rooms/21309678/how-to-fix-a-washing-machine-that-wont-drain
Laura has had an enthusiasm for laundry ever since she was a teenager experimenting with wash cycles. She went on study textile science in college before working in product testing.
Soon, Laura found friends and family constantly asking her laundry advice, realizing she had become an unofficial laundry guru. The questions kept coming in, so Laura decided to start sharing laundry tips online to help more people. The enthusiastic response led her start the blog “Laundry How”.
Now in her late thirties, Laura uses Laundry How to tackle all kinds of laundry topics – stains, fabric care, detergents, and more. She provides advice from both her studies and experience testing techniques out firsthand. Laura continues to grow an engaged community of laundry learners, feeling fulfilled empowering people to make laundry an easy, confidence-building ritual rather than a dreaded chore.