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Fix a washing machine that will not drain

We'll confirm the symptom, check the drain hose and filter, clear clogs, then isolate pump or drain-path issues—or tell you when to call a pro.

Troubleshooting · Home appliances
15–45 min
What you'll need
  • Towels and shallow pan (for filter access)
  • Screwdriver set (Phillips and flathead)
  • Multimeter (optional, for pump continuity test)
  • Replacement drain pump (if tests show a fault)
Step 1 of 9

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Steps

Goal: Confirm the symptom, check the drain path, then isolate pump or plumbing issues.

Check drain hose and filter

Goal: Rule out hose kinks, clogs, and filter blockage before opening the machine.

  • Pull the machine away from the wall. Inspect the drain hose for kinks, pinches, or bends. Confirm the hose is at the correct height—typically 39–96 inches above the floor per most manuals.
  • Disconnect the drain hose from the standpipe. Hold it over a bucket and run a drain or spin cycle briefly. If water flows freely, the hose is clear. If not, clear the hose with a drain snake or run water backward through it.
  • If your model has a drain filter (often behind a small access panel at the bottom front), place towels and a shallow pan below. Turn the filter slowly to release water, then remove and clean it. Reinstall.
  • Good: Hose is clear and filter is clean. Proceed to Check standpipe.
  • Bad: Hose is severely kinked or clogged—clear it first. If the machine drains after clearing, you are done.

Check standpipe

Goal: Confirm the standpipe or sink drain is not blocked.

  • Run water down the standpipe or pour a bucket of water into it. If it backs up, the blockage is in the house plumbing.
  • Good: Water drains freely. Proceed to Pump path.
  • Bad: Standpipe is blocked. See how-to-unclog-drain or call a plumber.

Pump path

Goal: Inspect and test the drain pump; clear clogs or replace if faulty.

  • Unplug the machine. Access the pump per your model—often behind a front or rear panel. Check your owner’s manual or search “[brand] [model] washing machine service manual” for disassembly steps.
  • Remove the pump inlet hose and check for socks, coins, or debris. Clear any blockage. Spin the impeller by hand—it should turn freely.
  • If the pump is clear but the impeller is seized or makes grinding noise, the pump has failed. Test for continuity with a multimeter if your pump has electrical connections. No continuity or seized impeller means replace the pump.
  • Replace the drain pump with a matching part (match the part number). Reassemble and run a drain or spin cycle.
  • Good: The drum empties and no error codes.
  • Bad: All checks pass but it still does not drain—call a technician.

When to get help

Call an appliance technician if:

  • Water backs up into the room (plumbing or severe blockage).
  • You hear grinding or burning from the pump area (pump failure or motor issue).
  • You have cleared the hose and filter and it still does not drain and you are not comfortable accessing the pump.
  • The machine shows error codes you cannot resolve.

Do not ignore water backup—it can cause flooding.

Verification

  • The drum empties completely after the drain phase of a cycle.
  • No water left in the drum when the cycle completes.
  • No error codes or unusual noises from the pump.
  • The drain hose and filter (if present) are clear and the machine drains consistently.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Confirm symptom Verify the machine fills and agitates but water stays in the drum; rule out spin or agitation problems.
  2. Drain hose and filter Check hose for kinks, clogs, and height; clear the drain filter if present.
  3. Standpipe and plumbing Confirm the standpipe or sink drain is not blocked; unclog or call a plumber if needed.
  4. Pump inspection Clear pump inlet of debris; test impeller and continuity; replace pump if faulty.
  5. Call a pro Water backup, grinding noise, or repeated failures—call an appliance technician.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Machine model and brand
  • Whether the drain hose is kinked or clogged
  • Whether the drain filter was cleared
  • Standpipe or sink drain test result
  • Pump impeller and continuity test results
  • Steps already tried

Does the machine fill and agitate but water stays in the drum?

Run a short cycle. Confirm the machine fills, agitates, then stops with water still in the drum. If the drum does not spin or agitate, that is a different problem.

Run a short cycle. Confirm the machine fills and agitates, then stops with water still in the drum. Good: water remains after the drain phase—drain fault. Bad: drum does not spin or agitate—different problem (motor, belt); see fix-washing-machine-will-not-agitate or fix-washing-machine-will-not-spin.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Different problem — see other guides

The drum does not spin or agitate—that is a different problem. See fix-washing-machine-will-not-agitate or fix-washing-machine-will-not-spin. This guide is for machines that fill and agitate but water stays in the drum.

Done

Is the drain hose clear and at correct height?

Check for kinks, clogs, and correct height (typically 39–96 inches above floor). Clear the drain filter if your model has one.

Pull the machine away from the wall. Inspect the drain hose for kinks and correct height (39–96 inches above floor). Disconnect the hose and run a drain cycle briefly over a bucket—water should flow. Clear the drain filter if present. Good: hose clear and filter clean. Bad: hose clogged or kinked—clear it first.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Clear hose and filter, then retest

Clear the drain hose of kinks and debris. Clean the drain filter if present. Reconnect and run a drain cycle. If it drains, you are done. If not, proceed to standpipe check.

Done

Does the standpipe or sink drain accept water?

The standpipe is the vertical pipe the drain hose empties into. If it is blocked, the machine cannot drain.

Run water down the standpipe or pour a bucket into it. If it backs up, the blockage is in the house plumbing—see how-to-unclog-drain or call a plumber. Good: water drains freely. Bad: standpipe blocked—unclog or call a plumber.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Is the pump inlet clear and does the impeller spin?

The pump moves water from the drum to the drain. A clogged inlet or seized impeller prevents drainage.

Unplug the machine. Access the drain pump per your model. Remove the pump inlet hose and check for socks, coins, or debris. Clear any blockage. Spin the impeller by hand—it should turn freely. Clogged or seized: clear or replace pump. Clear and spins: test pump continuity or replace if still not draining.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Does the pump have continuity?

Test the pump with a multimeter. No continuity means the pump motor has failed.

Test the pump for continuity with a multimeter. If no continuity, replace the pump. If continuity is good but the machine still does not drain, the pump may be partially failed—replace it. Reassemble and test.

Done

Replace pump and test

Replace the drain pump with a matching part (match the part number). Reassemble per your model. Run a drain or spin cycle. The drum should empty. If it still does not drain, call a technician.

Done

Call a technician

Call an appliance technician if: water backs up into the room; you hear grinding or burning from the pump area; you have cleared the hose and filter and it still does not drain and you are not comfortable accessing the pump; or the machine shows error codes you cannot resolve. Do not ignore water backup—it can cause flooding.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would a washing machine not drain?
Common causes: a kinked or clogged drain hose, a blocked drain filter or pump filter, a failed drain pump, or an object stuck in the drain path. Check the hose and filter first, then the pump.
Can I fix a washing machine that will not drain myself?
Yes. Most drain issues are hose or filter clogs you can clear with basic tools. Replacing the drain pump is possible on many models if you are comfortable with disassembly. If water backs up into the room or you hear grinding, call a technician.
When should I call a technician for a washing machine that will not drain?
Call a technician if water backs up into the room, you hear grinding or burning from the pump area, you have cleared the hose and filter and it still does not drain, or you are not comfortable disassembling the machine to access the pump.

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