Washer Won't Drain

Check to see if the drain hose is kinked or crushed. If your washer "dances" during cycles, it may have moved and kinked the hose. The drain hose could be clogged with lint or hair. You can use a thin, long-handled brush to clean the hose.

Remove any debris in the door lock or latch assembly. Any debris that is in the lock or latch can prevent the washer from working properly.

Remove any debris in the door lock or lid switch assembly. Any debris that is in the lock or latch can prevent the washer from working properly.

If a top-load washer is not completing a cycle in addition to not draining, a broken suspension rod could be making the tub unbalanced and unable to spin or agitate properly. Inspect the suspension rods for damage and replace if necessary - it is recommended that all suspension rods be replaced at the same time for more even wear.

The lid switch assembly prevents the washer from spinning when the lid is open. If the lid switch assembly fails, the washer will not drain. To determine if the lid switch assembly is defective, use a multimeter to test each of the lid switches for continuity. If a lid switch does not have continuity, replace it.

Some older washing machines are equipped with a water pump belt. If the water pump belt is broken or worn out, the washer will not drain. Check the belt and replace it if it shows signs of excessive wear.

Since a washing machine's main control board provides voltage to nearly all of the washer's electrical components, a faulty board may not be sending power to the drain pump during the drain cycle. You can inspect the board for signs of burning or a shorted-out component. You can also use a multimeter to test for incoming power to the drain pump after reviewing the appliance's wiring diagram. If no voltage is present when the washer is in the drain cycle, it's likely the control board is defective and will need to be replaced.

Sometimes, small objects or articles of clothing can get caught in the water pump which can prevent the component from pumping the water out of the tub through the drain hose. To determine if anything is blocking the water pump, remove the pump and check it for obstructions. If the water pump is clear of obstructions, but is still noisy during the drain cycle, replace the pump.

Foreign objects such as lint, coins, or safety pins may be in the pump. Most front-load washers have a clean-out to keep items from getting to the pump impeller. Check the clean-out if applicable.

First, check the drain hose to determine if it is kinked, twisted, or bent. If the drain hose is bent, straighten it out. In addition, remove the drain hose and check it for obstructions. If the drain hose has any obstructions, try to remove them. If necessary, replace the drain hose.

Some washers are equipped with a coin trap to trap any foreign objects that enter the drain. The coin trap should be checked and cleaned periodically. If debris continues to accumulate in the coin trap, the coin trap will become clogged, and the washer will not drain properly. If the washer won’t drain or is not draining properly, and the washer has a coin trap, remove the coin trap and clean it thoroughly.

The door latch secures the washer door shut during operation. Once the washer door is closed, the washer can begin operating. If the washer door is not latched shut, the door switch prevents the washer from operating. If the door latch is defective, the washer may not go into the drain cycle. The door latch can fail either mechanically or electrically. Inspect the latch for damage. If the latch is damaged or does not latch properly, replace it. To determine if the door latch has failed electrically, consult your washer’s diagram and use a multimeter to test each of the door latch switches, if applicable, for continuity. If one of the switches does not have continuity, replace the switch.