Washing Machine Not Draining or Spinning? How to Fix It Step by Step
A washer that will not drain is usually blocked: a sock in the drain pump filter, a kinked or clogged drain hose, a clogged standpipe, or too many suds. If it drains but will not spin, check the load balance and the lid lock first. Here is the order to check, how to drain it by hand, and when the pump has failed.
Still stuck after this guide? You can ask an HVAC technician online — see pricing, expert credentials and common questions first.
The Short Answer
If your washing machine is not draining, check these in order: the drain hose for kinks, the drain pump filter for socks, coins and lint (on most front-loaders it is behind a small panel at the bottom front), the standpipe or sink drain for a clog, and too many suds from non-HE detergent. Those cover most cases. If the pump hums but no water moves, something is jammed in it; if it is silent, the pump or its control may have failed.
If the washer drains but will not spin, the load is usually unbalanced or the lid or door lock is not engaging. Unplug the washer before you open any panel.
Why Is My Washing Machine Not Draining?
| Cause | Clues | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Clogged drain pump filter (coin trap) | Front-loader, slow drain, water left in drum, drain error code | Clean the filter (steps below) |
| Kinked or crushed drain hose | Washer recently moved or pushed back | Straighten it; replace if creased |
| Clogged drain hose | Filter is clean but still no flow | Disconnect and flush it with a garden hose |
| Clogged standpipe or laundry sink drain | Water overflows the standpipe or sink during drain | Snake the standpipe; see how to unclog a drain |
| Too many suds | Foam visible, slow drain, suds error on some models | Use HE detergent in HE washers, at the dose on the label; run a rinse to clear suds |
| Lid switch or door lock fault | Washer stops before drain or spin, lock light blinks | Close firmly; test or replace the switch or lock |
| Failed drain pump | Pump silent, or hums with nothing jammed in it | Replace the pump |
| Control or wiring fault | No pump sound and the pump tests good | Technician territory on most models |
How Do You Drain a Washing Machine Full of Water?
- Try the machine first. Cancel the cycle, then select Drain and Spin (or Rinse and Spin). If that works, the problem may have been a one-time suds or balance issue.
- Unplug the washer and turn off both water taps behind it.
- Front-loader: lay down towels and set a shallow pan or baking dish in front of the bottom access panel. Many models have a small emergency drain tube beside the filter: pull it out, remove its cap, and let water run into the pan, emptying it as it fills. On models without a tube, unscrew the filter slowly a quarter turn at a time to control the flow. Expect several gallons.
- Top-loader: bail out the tub with a bucket, or lower the end of the drain hose below the level of the water in the tub into a bucket and let gravity drain it.
- Once it is empty, move on to finding the cause below.
How to Clean the Drain Pump Filter
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Unplug the washer and drain the remaining water as above |
| 2 | Open the access panel at the bottom front (on some top-loaders the filter is under a panel or inside the agitator; check the manual) |
| 3 | Unscrew the filter counterclockwise and pull it out |
| 4 | Remove lint, hair, coins, buttons and small socks; rinse the filter |
| 5 | Shine a light into the pump opening and turn the impeller gently with a finger. It should move. Remove anything wrapped around it. |
| 6 | Screw the filter back in firmly so it does not leak, close the panel, and run Drain and Spin |
Whirlpool and other makers recommend cleaning this filter regularly; once a month is a good habit if you wash a lot of small items or pet bedding. It is also one of the main sources of washer odor, covered in how to clean a smelly washing machine.
Is Your Drain Hose and Standpipe Set Up Right?
Installation problems cause a surprising number of drain complaints, especially after a move or a new washer.
- Standpipe height: Whirlpool's front-load guidance says the top of the standpipe should be at least 30 inches above the floor. Lower than that and water can siphon out of the washer during the wash.
- Maximum height: Maytag's top-load guidance says the drain hose should not go higher than 96 inches above the floor; the pump may not be able to push water higher.
- Insertion depth: push the hose only a few inches into the standpipe. Whirlpool's front-load pages say about 4.5 inches at most; too deep and it can siphon.
- Air gap: do not tape the hose airtight into the standpipe. Use the hose clip or a strap so it is secure but air can get in.
- Hose condition: no kinks behind the machine, and no extension that is narrower than the original hose.
Your washer's installation manual has the exact numbers for your model, and they differ between brands and between top-loaders and front-loaders.
What Do Washer Drain Error Codes Mean?
Most washers show a code when they cannot drain within a set time. Common examples: LG shows OE; Samsung uses 5C or 5E (older models showed nd); Whirlpool and Maytag display a drain or "long drain" message or code that varies by model. Whatever the brand, the code means the same thing: water is not leaving fast enough. Work through the filter, hose, standpipe and suds checks before assuming the pump is bad. Your manual lists the codes for your model.
Why Does My Washer Drain but Not Spin?
| Cause | What to do |
|---|---|
| Unbalanced load (one heavy item like a comforter, bath mat or jeans) | Redistribute the load, add a couple of towels to balance a single heavy item, and restart the spin. Check that the washer is level and does not rock. |
| Lid switch or door lock not engaging | Close it firmly. On top-loaders, listen for the click of the lid switch. A failed switch or lock is an inexpensive part on many models. |
| Water still in the drum | Most washers will not spin until they drain; fix the drain problem first |
| Broken or slipped drive belt (belt-drive models) | Motor runs but the drum does not move. Replace the belt. |
| Worn motor coupling (some direct-drive top-loaders) | Motor hums, drum does not move, often after overloading. Replace the coupling. |
| Worn clutch, shifter or motor | Usually a technician repair; compare cost with the washer's age |
A washer that shakes or walks across the floor during spin is a related balance problem; see washing machine shaking violently.
When Should You Call a Repair Technician?
Call a technician if the pump is silent and you are not comfortable testing it, the washer smells of burning, water is leaking from underneath (see washer leaking from the bottom), the control panel is dead or showing codes you cannot clear, or the washer is under warranty. Call a plumber if the standpipe or the sink drain keeps backing up after the washer is fixed, because the clog is in the house drain.
Many drain pumps, lid switches and belts are owner-replaceable with a model-specific part and basic tools. If you are not sure which part your symptom points to, ask a home repair expert with your model number.
Pro Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my washing machine not draining?
The most common causes are a clogged drain pump filter, a kinked or clogged drain hose, a clogged standpipe or sink drain, and too many suds. Less often, the lid lock, the drain pump or the controls have failed.
How do I drain a washing machine that is full of water?
Cancel the cycle and try Drain and Spin first. If that fails, unplug it, then on a front-loader drain it through the emergency tube or filter into a shallow pan. On a top-loader, bail it out or lower the drain hose into a bucket below the water level.
Where is the drain filter on my washer?
On most front-loaders it is behind a small panel at the bottom front. Many top-loaders have no user-accessible filter, and some have one under a panel or in the agitator. Your manual shows the location for your model.
Why does my washer drain but not spin?
Usually an unbalanced load or a lid switch or door lock that is not engaging. On older belt or direct-drive machines, a broken belt or worn motor coupling is also common.
How do I know if my washer drain pump is bad?
If the filter, hose and standpipe are clear and the pump is silent or hums without moving water, the pump has likely failed. A technician or a multimeter test can confirm it.
Can too much detergent stop a washer from draining?
Yes. Excess suds, especially from regular detergent in an HE washer, can slow draining and trigger suds or drain errors. Run a rinse cycle with no detergent and use the label dose of HE detergent.
How high should a washer drain hose be?
Follow your installation manual. As an example, Whirlpool front-load guidance says the standpipe should be at least 30 inches high, and Maytag top-load guidance says the hose should not go above 96 inches.
