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  1. Repair
  2. Kenmore Elite
  3. Symptom Center
  4. Washer will not drain

Kenmore Elite washer won't drain

Common reasons your Kenmore Elite washer won't drain

The most common reasons your Kenmore Elite washer won't drain are a broken motor, cracked drain hose or a jammed door lock assembly.

  • 87%

    87% of the time it's the
    Motor

  • 3%

    3% of the time it's the
    Drain Hose

  • 3%

    3% of the time it's the
    Door Lock Assembly

  • 7%

    7% of the time it's the
    Something else

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Call (646) 440-2692 or schedule online now.
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Most common repairs needed to fix a Kenmore Elite washer

Motor Replacement

A broken washer motor will prevent the spin basket from rotating or agitating, and can also cause a variety of other issues that affect the washer’s ability to function properly. Signs that the motor is wearing out include unusual noises during operation, such as grinding or squealing sounds. The washer may also exhibit erratic spinning or agitation, with clothes not being properly rinsed or still soaking wet after the spin cycle. Additionally, a worn-out motor may lead to the washer not completing its cycles, stopping abruptly, or not starting at all. Burnt smells or overheating around the motor area can be indicative of internal problems. In some cases, visible damage to the motor itself may be apparent.


How to replace the motor in a washer

Drain Hose Replacement

A cracked washer drain hose produces leaks, and if the crack is small it can often go undetected until water is seen pooling around the bottom of the washer. Additionally, a cracked hose may also collapse, preventing water from efficiently draining from the tub. Water may accumulate inside the drum, resulting in prolonged washing cycles. If you suspect your washer drain hose is cracked, have it replaced by a Sears Home Services professional

Door Lock Assembly Replacement

When a washer door lock assembly is jammed, you may encounter difficulty in opening or closing the washer door. The door may not latch properly, leading to issues in starting or completing a wash cycle. The washer might display an error code indicating a door lock problem. During operation, the door lock may make unusual clicking sounds or fail to engage, preventing the washer from starting. Additionally, if there is a malfunction, the door lock indicator light may not illuminate as expected. Users might notice water remaining in the drum even after the wash cycle has finished, indicating a potential problem with the door lock assembly preventing proper drainage.

Why is my Kenmore Elite washer not draining?

A washer that won’t drain is sometimes caused by simple user errors, such as incorrect cycle settings, an unbalanced load, or a lid/door that isn’t fully closed. Check and resolve these issues first if they exist.

Next, 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: 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 2: 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 3: 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:

Image of how to clean the 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 4: 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.

What to expect when you experience a Kenmore Elite washer won't drain issue

How is the won't drain problem fixed?

Correcting most won't drain problems usually involves replacing the motor, drain hose or door lock assembly. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

Sears Home Services recommendations for a washer that won't drain

When the washer won't drain it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of washer failures.

What to look out for with a washer won't drain diagnosis

Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your washer problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

If your Kenmore Elite washer stands filled after a cycle, clogs or a failing drain pump could be to blame. Stagnant water leaves clothes soaked and hampers laundry progress. Rather than wringing garments by hand, schedule a washer repair near me to restore proper drainage. Prompt service keeps your high-end Kenmore Elite performing at its best.

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Thanks for your expert analysis of the problem that caused the flooding of my home .I was scared the first few times I used the machine , but all is working great.


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Glossary Terms

Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.

A washing machine pedestal is a platform that raises the washer off the ground, providing easier access to the appliances and often includes additional storage space such as drawers.

A washer tub is the interior part of a washing machine where clothes are placed for washing, typically made of stainless steel, plastic, or porcelain-coated metal, designed to hold water and withstand the agitation or spinning during the wash cycle.

Fabric softener is a laundry additive used to soften and freshen clothing, reduce static cling, and make fabrics feel smoother.

Additional possible Kenmore Elite washer symptoms you may experience