What does it mean when a washing machine is not draining water?
A washing machine that is not draining water cannot pump water from the drum to the waste pipe. The pump sound shows where to look. If the drum empties but the washing stays wet, see washing machine not spinning.
- Pump hums and no water moves: the filter, pump or hose is blocked.
- No pump sound: the pump motor or control board has failed.
- Water drains slowly: the filter or hose is partly blocked.
Common causes of a washing machine not draining
The common causes run from a kinked drain hose to a failed drain pump, simplest first.
At a glance
| Cause | Typical sign | Who fixes it |
|---|---|---|
| Kinked drain hose | Pump hums, no flow | You can check this |
| Blocked pump filter | Slow drain or none | You can check this |
| Blocked waste pipe | Drains normally into a bucket | You can check this |
| Item in pump or sump hose | Filter clean, little flow | Technician |
| Failed drain pump | Silent or humming pump | Technician |
| Blocked pressure chamber | False drain fault | Technician |
| Control board | Healthy pump gets no power | Technician |
- 1
The drain hose is kinked or squashed
You can check thisThe drain hose carries water from the pump to the waste pipe. A hose crushed behind the machine stops the flow while the pump hums. Pull the machine forward and straighten it.
- 2
The pump filter is blocked on a front loader
You can check thisThe pump filter catches lint, coins and hairpins before they reach the pump impeller. A blocked filter slows or stops the drain. You can clean it. Most top loaders have no user-accessible filter.
- 3
The waste pipe or sink trap is blocked
You can check thisThe machine drains into a standpipe or a spigot on the sink trap. Hook the hose into a bucket and run a drain cycle. Normal flow into the bucket means the household waste pipe is blocked.
- 4
An item is jammed in the pump or sump hose
TechnicianSocks and small items lodge in the sump hose between the tub and the pump. The pump runs but little water moves, even with a clean filter. A technician clears the hose.
- 5
The drain pump has failed
TechnicianThe drain pump is a small motor with an impeller. A failed pump is silent, hums without turning or has a loose impeller. Replacing it is a routine washing machine repair for a technician.
- 6
The pressure chamber is blocked
TechnicianThe pressure switch reads the water level through a tube from an air chamber on the tub. Sludge in the chamber gives a false reading, so the machine shows a drain fault. A technician clears it.
- 7
The control board is not powering the pump
TechnicianThe control board switches power to the pump. It is suspected when a healthy pump receives no power during the drain step. Only a technician should test a control board.
What you can safely check yourself
- Switch off and unplugSwitch off at the plug point and unplug. Let a hot wash cool first.
- Straighten the drain hoseCheck the full length of the hose for kinks or a crushed section.
- Test the waste pipeRun a drain cycle with the hose in a bucket to rule out a blocked waste pipe.
- Clean the pump filterDrain a front loader by hand and clean the filter, as described below.
When to stop and call a technician
Stop and unplug the machine if you smell burning, the machine trips the earth leakage or water is near the plug point. Stop if the water does not drain after one filter clean. Do not remove panels, the pump, wiring or the control board.
Still having trouble with your washing machine?
Our technician comes to your home, usually the same day. The R450 call-out falls away if you go ahead, and you get a fixed price in writing before any work starts.
How a technician diagnoses a washing machine that won't drain
- Runs the drain testThe technician starts the pump in test mode and reads any error code.
- Clears the drain pathThe filter, sump hose, pump housing and drain hose are stripped and cleared.
- Tests the drain pumpThe pump winding is measured and the impeller is checked.
- Checks level sensing and controlThe pressure chamber, pressure switch and control board output are tested.
How do you drain a washing machine manually and clean the pump filter?
You drain a front loader manually through the pump filter behind the flap at the bottom front. Most top loaders have no user-accessible filter, so bail the water out with a jug.
- Unplug and let the water coolSwitch off and unplug at the wall. Water from a hot wash can scald.
- Lay towels and a shallow trayPlace the tray under the filter flap. Expect several trays of water.
- Release the water slowlyUse the emergency drain hose if one is fitted. Otherwise loosen the filter anticlockwise a little at a time.
- Clean the filterRemove lint, coins and hairpins. Check that nothing is caught on the impeller behind it.
- Refit and testScrew the filter in clockwise until tight. Run a rinse cycle and check for drips.
Is a washing machine that is not draining worth repairing?
Repair usually makes sense when
- The fault is a blocked filter, hose or sump hose
- The drain pump has failed on a sound machine
- Parts for the model are still available
Replacement is worth considering when
- The control board has failed on an old machine
- The drum bearings are also noisy
- The tub or cabinet is rusted or leaking