4 Quick Tips to Fix a GE Washer Drain Pump

Experiencing issues with your GE washer’s drain pump can be frustrating, but don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with these 4 quick tips to get it working again. Whether it’s a clogged drain hose or a malfunctioning pump, our troubleshooting guide will help you identify and fix the problem. Always remember to follow proper safety precautions and consult your appliance’s manual before attempting any repairs. Let’s dive in and get your GE washer’s drain pump back in working order.

1. Check the House Drain and Washer Drain Hose for Clogs

When your GE washer’s drain pump isn’t working, the first thing to examine is the house drain and hose. A clogged washer drain or kinked drain hose can prevent water from draining properly, leading to issues with the drain pump. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and fix the problem.

• Check the washer house drain for a clog: Pour water down the washer drain stand pipe to see whether the drain is clogged. Use a plumber’s snake or have a plumber clear the house drain when you find the GE washer drain pump not working and the house drain is clogged.
• Inspect the drain hose for any clogs or kinks: Check the end of the drain hose for a clog. Lint and debris can build up in the end of the drain pump and prevent the drain pump from working. Clear any lint and debris from that drain hose and your GE washer may resume draining.
• Ensure the drain hose is not stuffed way down the standpipe: Drain water will siphon back into the washer if you insert the drain hose way down into the standpipe. The drain hose should only extend about 6-inches into the standpipe. Reposition the drain hose in the stand pipe if necessary so your GE washer will drain properly.

By following these steps, you can often resolve issues with a GE washer’s drain pump not working. However, if the problem persists, it may be necessary to schedule washer repair service. Our Sears Home Services technician will visit your home to diagnose and repair the issue.

2. Check the Drain Pump Wiring

Run a Drain & Spin cycle to see if you hear the drain pump running. If the drain pump doesn’t run, check the wire harness connection on the drain pump if you’re completely confident in your DIY washer repair abilities to safely access the drain pump. Have a washer repair technician complete this step if you’re uncomfortable with accessing the drain pump on your own.

1. Locate the drain pump in your GE washer: The drain pump is usually located at the bottom of the machine. Refer to your washer’s user manual or parts diagram for the exact location.
2. Manually drain water from the washer: Use a wet/dry shop vacuum to suck water out of the washer tub. (If you’re unable to drain the water on your own, schedule washer repair service. Our technician will drain the water for you and fix the washer drain problem.)
3. Check the wire harness connection on the drain pump: If you’re completely confident in your DIY washer repair abilities to safely access the drain pump, unplug the washer and remove the bottom front panel of a GE front loader to access the drain pump. If you have a top-load GE washer, you can typically access the drain pump by shutting off the water supply, disconnecting the water lines, pulling the drain hose out of the standpipe and carefully tipping the washer over to reach the drain pump. Use a helper if necessary. Check the wire harness connection on the drain pump. Reconnect the wire harness if it’s loose or disconnected.

Reconnecting the drain pump wire harness securely may fix the problem with your GE washer drain pump not working.

3. Clear the Drain Pump Filter on a GE Front-Load Washer

If the drain pump runs in the drain mode in a front-load GE washer, the drain pump filter may be clogged.

Follow the steps in the image below to clean the drain pump filter on your GE front-load washer if it has a filter access door at the bottom of the front panel.

To access and clean the filter on a GE washer without an access door, follow the procedure shown in this YouTube video:

Clearing the drain pump filter in your GE front loader may fix the drain problem. If you need to have a Sears Home Services technician fix the drain pump in your GE washer, schedule washing machine repair service.

4. Reset the Electronic Control Board

Sometimes, a power surge or glitch through the electric lines will cause the electronic control board to lock up and stop functioning. Resetting the control board will sometimes fix a problem with the drain pump not working in your GE washer.

To reset the electronic control board, unplug the washer power cord to completely disconnect electrical power from the washing machine. Leave the power cord unplugged to 1 minute and then plug it back in to restore power.

Run a Drain & Spin cycle to see if the drain pump works.

If these tips don’t help you fix a problem with the GE washer drain pump not working, schedule repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the problem.

Have your GE Washer Professionally Maintained Yearly to Prevent Drain Problems

One final tip, having your GE washing machine professionally cleaned and maintained yearly will help prevent problems with the drain system. Along with cleaning and maintaining the entire washer, our Sears Home Services technician will check all washer functions including filling, agitating, draining and spinning. The tech will be able to spot and fix small problems before you wind up with major failures in the washer such as a drain pump not working.

Schedule your GE washer maintenance now. Professional annual maintenance will also help your GE washing machine last longer.

If you’ve run through these quick fixes and your GE washer drain pump is still acting up, there could be an internal component malfunction. Rather than guess, have a wash machine repairman take a closer look. They’ll pinpoint the exact cause—whether it’s a jammed impeller or a wiring glitch—and get your washer draining properly again.