A clogged pump filter
Many front-loaders have a small filter behind a panel at the bottom front. Socks, coins and lint collect there.
Appliance problem
Washer won't drain? Here's what to check.
A washer that stops with water in the drum is usually dealing with a clog: in the pump filter, the drain hose or the house drain. Most of it you can check yourself, as long as the washer is unplugged first.
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What's likely going on
These are typical causes, not a diagnosis. A pro looking at yours can tell you which it is.
A kinked or blocked drain hose
If the washer was pushed back recently, the hose may be pinched. Lint can block it too.
A blocked house drain
If the standpipe or laundry sink the washer drains into is backing up, the problem is in the drain, not the washer.
A lid or door lock fault
If the washer can't sense that the lid or door is closed and locked, it may not drain or spin. An error code often points to this.
A failed drain pump
If you hear a hum but no water moves after clearing clogs, the pump may have failed.
Safe things to check yourself
- Unplug the washerBefore you touch anything, unplug it from the wall, as long as the floor around it is dry.
- Note the error codeWrite down or photograph any code on the display. It's often the fastest clue.
- Check the drain hosePull the washer out gently and look for kinks behind it. Make sure the hose isn't pushed too far down the standpipe.
- Clean the pump filter (front-loaders)Lay down towels and a shallow pan, open the small panel at the bottom front, and unscrew the filter slowly. Water will come out. Clear what's trapped and screw it back in firmly.
- Check the house drainPour a bucket of water into the standpipe or laundry sink. If it backs up, the drain is the issue.
Stop and get help
- Water has reached the outlet, the plug or the power cord. Don't touch the plug or stand in the water to reach it. Switch off that circuit at the panel door only if you can get there without standing in water. Otherwise call an electrician.
- You smell burning, or the washer trips its breaker.
- Water is backing up into other drains in the house. That points to a main drain problem for a plumber.
Never work inside the washer while it's plugged in. Replacing a pump or lid lock means opening the cabinet, which a tech can help you decide on.
Show an appliance tech on video
Point your phone at it and an appliance tech tells you what's likely going on, what's safe to try next and whether it needs someone on site. $34 for 15 minutes or $59 for 30, and you only pay when a pro connects. Hollr is launching across Canada, so join the waitlist for your invite.
Questions
Advice only: Hollr pros diagnose and guide over video, and refer anything that needs hands on site. Live electrical panels and gas lines are never walked through on a call.
How do I drain a washer that's full of water?
Unplug it first. Then drain it through the drain hose, or through the small emergency drain tube next to the pump filter on many front-loaders. Lower it into a shallow pan and let it empty. It can take several pans, so keep towels nearby.
Where is the filter on my washing machine?
On many front-loaders, it's behind a small door at the bottom front. Many top-loaders don't have one you can reach. Your manual, or the model number on the label, will tell you.
Why does my washer hum but not drain?
A hum with no draining often means the pump is trying to run but something is blocking it, or the pump has failed. Clean the filter and check the hose first.
Can an appliance tech help over video?
Yes. On a Hollr call, an appliance tech can read the error code with you, show you where the filter is on your model, and tell you whether it's a clog or a part that needs replacing.