What to Do When Your Washing Machine Won't Drain: A Practical Troubleshooting Guide

A washing machine that won’t drain can turn laundry day into a major headache. Whether your washer is full of water or only partially drained, the problem usually stems from a clogged drain, malfunctioning pump, or even user error.

This guide walks you through troubleshooting steps to fix the issue and get your washer back in action.

Before you begin troubleshooting the washer, check the house drain for the washer. Use a plumbers snake or call a plumber to clear that drain if it’s clogged. Then you can test the washer and see if it drains properly. If it does, you can skip reading the rest of this article.

If a clogged house drain isn’t causing your washer drain system failure, follow these steps to find and fix the problem.

Step 1: Check for User Errors

Before diving into repairs, ensure you haven’t overlooked something simple:

Check the Cycle Settings

Confirm that you selected the correct cycle. Some settings, like "Rinse & Hold," won’t drain the water until you manually advance the cycle.

Redistribute the Load

Overloading or unevenly distributed clothes can cause the machine to shut down without draining. Open the door, rearrange the load, and try restarting the cycle.

Ensure the Lid or Door is Fully Closed

Many washers won’t spin or drain if the lid or door isn’t properly latched. Push in firmly on the door or push down on the lid to close them fully if necessary.

Step 2: Manually Drain the Washer

If your machine still won’t drain, you’ll need to remove the water yourself.

Follow these steps:

Gather Supplies

You’ll need a shallow pan, towels, and a bucket.

Locate the Drain Hose

Unplug the washer and move it away from the wall. Find the drain hose at the back of the machine. Place the shallow pan underneath it.

Let Gravity Do the Work

Lower the end of the drain hose into the bucket. Gravity should allow water to flow out. Raise the drain hose back up and empty the shallow pan into the bucket as the pan fills up. Empty the bucket if that container gets full before draining ends.

If the water doesn’t drain, the hose may be clogged, which brings us to the next step.

Step 3: Inspect and Clear the Drain Hose

A blocked drain hose is a common cause of water not draining.

Use a wet/dry shop vacuum to suck the clog out of the drain hose and remove the water from the washer.

Note: You can also use this method to drain the washer from the beginning instead of using the gravity drain procedure described above.

Not everyone has a wet/dry shop vacuum handy.

Here’s how to clear a drain hose clog without using a wet/dry shop vacuum (or if the shop vac wasn’t able to remove the clog):

Disconnect the Drain Hose from the Washer

Use a pair of pliers to release the hose clamp where the hose connects to the washer. Pull the hose free.

Check for Obstructions and Clear the Clog

Shine a flashlight into the hose to check for a clog.

If you don’t find a clog in the drain hose, skip down to the next troubleshooting step.

If the hose is clogged, remove any lint, debris, or small items using one of these methods:

1. Take the hose outside and run water through the drain hose using a garden hose. This will clear out most washer drain hose clogs.
2. Use a plumber’s snake or similar item to the clog out of the drain hose.
3. If you have an air compressor, use compressed air to push the clog out of the drain hose (outdoors of course).

Run water through the drain hose to clear out any residue and ensure it’s completely clear (unless you already used water to clear out the clog).

Reattach the Drain Hose

Once the hose is clean, secure it back onto the washer.

Step 4: Clean the Pump Filter

Many front-load washers have a pump filter designed to catch lint, coins, or other debris that might block water flow.

If that drain pump filter gets too full, water won’t drain from the washer and you’ll need to clear debris from that filter.

If you have a top-load washer skip down to the next troubleshooting step below.

Here’s how to clean a front-load washer drain pump filter:

Locate the Pump Filter

The drain pump filter is often behind a small access panel near the bottom front of the machine. Open that access door to find the drain pump filter.

Drain Excess Water

Some filters include a small drain tube. Use it to empty remaining water into a shallow pan as shown in the image above. (This may take a while if the washer tub is still full because the drain hose wasn’t clogged.)

Remove and Clean the Drain Pump Filter

• Place towels under the drain pump filter housing to catch water as you remove the filter.
• Twist the drain pump filter cap counterclockwise to release the filter and remove it from the housing.
• Clear debris out of the filter and wash the filter under running water.
• Clear away any debris and lint inside the housing.

If mold or mildew has developed in the filter and housing, don some protective gloves and use a liquid chlorine bleach and water solution to clean the filter and housing.

Reinstall the Drain Pump Filter

• Screw the filter back in place.
• Reinstall the cap on the small drain tube and clip it back in place.
• Close the drain pump filter access panel.

If your washer doesn’t have a small access panel for the drain pump filter, you may be able to access the drain pump filter by remove the bottom part of the front washer panel as shown in this video:

Step 5: Check the Drain Pump

If clearing the hose and filter doesn’t resolve the issue, the problem might lie with the drain pump itself.

Inspect the Drain Pump for Damage

Unplug the washer before accessing the drain pump.

Schedule washer repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician perform this step if you aren’t completely confident in your DIY repair abilities to access and check the drain pump yourself.

To access the drain pump on a front-load washer, you’ll typically need to remove the front panel as shown in this video:

Here’s a video that shows how to access the drain pump on a common top-load washer:

Disconnect the pump and look for visible cracks or broken components. Also, check if the pump’s impeller (the spinning part) is stuck, clogged or broken.

Clean the pump if it’s clogged and replace the pump if you know that it’s broken.

If you’re unsure whether the drain pump is causing the problem, it’s likely time to schedule washer repair service and have a technician take over and fix the washer.

How to Prevent Washer Drain Problems

Avoid having to face the same drain issue by following these tips:

Clean the Drain Pump Filter Regularly

Check and clean the filter every few months to prevent blockages.

Inspect Pockets Before Washing

Coins, keys, and small items can clog the pump or drain hose.

Schedule Annual Professional Maintenance

Regular professional washer maintenance and inspections keep your washer running smoothly and prevent costly breakdowns. The technician will check the drain pump operation and clear any clogs if necessary during the annual maintenance service.

A washer that won’t drain is frustrating but often fixable with a little patience and expert DIY advice. By following these tips, you can likely save money on appliance repair bills and keep your laundry routine running smoothly.

Stubborn drainage problems sometimes indicate more serious internal faults. If you’ve exhausted basic fixes and the washer still won’t drain, don’t hesitate to schedule help. Our washer repair service team specializes in diagnosing clogged pumps, faulty switches, and other advanced drainage issues that DIY efforts can’t resolve.