How to Troubleshoot and Repair a Washer With Draining Issues
We know how upsetting it can be to come back to your washer after putting in a load of laundry only to find it still filled with water. There may be multiple reasons why your washer is not draining, from electrical failure to clogging and damage. However, don’t let this intimidate you. We’ve prepared this simple expert guide to show you how to find out which part of your washer is causing the issue and how you can easily fix it yourself in the comfort of your home! You don’t have to be a professional to get your washer draining again and back to tiptop condition.
Just remember that before you begin any sort of repair you need to first remove the water that’s in the washing machine, which you can do with a bucket or a hose.
Using This Page, You Will be Able to Troubleshoot the Following Symptoms
- Washer is not draining.
- Standing water in washer.
Inspect These Common Issues First
If your washer is experiencing draining issues, be sure to check that one of these frequent issues isn't responsible before you move on to the next section and start troubleshooting parts.
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Are there Excessive Suds in Your Washing Machine?
Suds are the foam created during the wash cycle. If there is too much detergent or the wrong type of detergent is used, your machine will try to reduce the suds by adding a rinse cycle. If this fails and it cannot reduce the suds enough, it may stop the cycle immediately, causing your washer to not drain.
Is Your Washer Well-Balanced?
If your washer is not draining, the problem may be as simple as that it’s not resting on an even surface. In this case, all you need to do is adjust the legs of the washer or place a mat under the washer. You can also invest in absorbers so that your machine does not move excessively during washing.
Is Your Laundry Load Well-Balanced?
The way you place your laundry in the washer can cause your washer to be unbalanced and this will affect its ability to drain. Do not overfill or underfill your washer as this can be harmful to your washer. Check to make sure that you have selected the right cycle for your load and try to put items that have strings or straps in a laundry bag so that they don’t get tangled up in the washer.
Common Parts You May Need to Replace
The parts listed below are the most common causes of your washer experiencing draining issues. More resources – such as part descriptions, 3D images, videos, and installation instructions – are available on the individual part pages.
- Drain Hose If the drain hose is clogged or loose, it cannot direct water out of the machine into the sewer system in your building.
- Belt If the belt is damaged or loose, the drum will not be able to spin and therefore your washer will remain stuck in the drain cycle.
- Drain Pump If the pump is clogged or damaged, it cannot direct water out of the machine, therefore the water will remain standing in your washer.
- Lid Switch and Door Latch The door latch/lid switch tells the machine that it’s safe to start and proceed with the wash cycle. If it’s defective, the washer does not receive the signal that it’s safe and therefore the washer may not proceed to the draining cycle.
- Pressure Switch The pressure switch controls the water levels in the washer. If it’s not working properly, the washer will not receive the instruction to drain the water out.
- Electronic Control Board If there is a failure in the control board, it won’t be able to instruct the machine to proceed to the next cycle.
- Timer The timer helps the washer proceed through the cycles at the right time. If it is defective, the washer will not know that it is time to drain the water out of your machine.
- Motor If the motor is malfunctioning, the washer cannot carry out its usual functions, such as draining the water out of your machine at the appropriate time. You may notice that your washer is noisy in this case.
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