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Washing Machine problem
Washer Won't Drain? It's Almost Always One of Three Things.
A washer that won't drain leaves you with a tub full of soapy water and clothes that smell. The fix is almost always one of three parts, and most jobs wrap in under an hour.
Common causes
What's actually wrong
Drain pump failed
The pump itself burns out or jams with debris (coins, hair clips, lint). Most common cause across all brands.
Clogged drain hose
Hose at the back can kink or clog with lint and debris. Easy clear once accessed.
Lid switch / door lock failure
Front-loaders won't drain if the door isn't locked. Top-loaders won't drain if the lid switch thinks the lid is open.
Stuck on a specific cycle
Sometimes a cycle aborts and leaves water — running a 'drain & spin' cycle clears it. Try this first before calling.
Before you call
Quick checks you can do
- Try running a 'drain & spin' or 'spin only' cycle. Sometimes the cycle just got interrupted.
- Pull the front access panel (front-loaders) — there's usually a small drain access for clearing the pump filter. Check for debris.
- Pull the unit out and inspect the drain hose for kinks or visible clogs.
- Listen during the drain cycle — humming with no water movement = pump is energized but jammed. Silence = electrical failure or lid switch.
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