Washing Machine Is Not Draining: Quick Steps and Causes

A washing machine is one of the most important appliances in the household, and with a broken washer, not only will you be behind schedule, but you will also have a problem fixing it. Fixing a broken washing machine is not as hard as one might initially think. In this post, we will go over basic troubleshooting and repairs that are easy to understand, and most can be repaired with regular home tools.

How to start troubleshooting if your washing machine is not draining:

Start by running a drain-and-spin cycle. When the machine tries to drain, check these things:

• Is water coming out of the drain hose? Is it a full flow, a slow trickle, or no water at all?
• If there is no water, can you hear the pump running? Is it noisy? If the pump runs but no water comes out, there may be a clog, a broken impeller, or a motor pump failure.
• Some older top-load machines use one motor for both spinning and pumping. If the machine spins but will not pump, the pump may have failed.
• Look for leaks. A cracked pressure hose, air dome, or disconnected tube to the water level sensor can cause leaks and drainage problems.

What tools you need to check why your washing machine is not draining

Gather tools before draining the washer: a flathead and Phillips screwdriver, and a multimeter or electrical tester if you have one. Also have a bucket, a shallow pan, and plenty of rags or towels. A wet/dry vacuum is useful for removing large amounts of water, but it’s not required if you can bail the tub well. You may need to drain the washer more than once, so keep towels handy to protect the floor from spills.

Top-load draining:

• Scoop out the water with a cup or use a wet/dry vacuum.
• Open the cabinet, find the pump, and disconnect the hose from the tub to the pump. Have a container ready to catch water.
• If the pump is mounted on the tub, you may disconnect the pump outlet hose to drain it. Be prepared with towels.

Front-load draining:

• Front-load machines hold more water; use larger containers and follow a guide for your model.

Main causes when a washing machine is not draining

Failed pump

• The pump can stop working because the motor, impeller, or internal drive has failed.
• Check the pump motor connectors and measure winding resistance with a multimeter (typical range ~10–40 Ω). Replace the pump if resistance is far outside this range.
• Manually check the motor and impeller: noisy bearings, grinding, or an impeller that spins freely usually mean replacement is needed.
• Remove lint, small items, or debris from the pump body and impeller.
• On some machines, the pump is driven by the main motor; inspect the connection between the motor and the pump for breaks or cracked drive parts. Check inside the pump; some older models have a plastic mount that can crack under pressure.
• If belt- or pulley-driven, ensure the pulley is secure. Check the belt for regular wear and tear; some old belts will squeak, and the washer does not drain. If the belt looks old, just replace it to avoid further problems.

Clogged drain

• Remove the drain hose from the wall and check for clogs or improper installation (hose too deep into the standpipe or too high).
• Remove the hose from the washer and inspect it. Use a wire, dowel, or flexible snake to clear blockages. Rinse the hose.
• Check the tub-to-pump hose for obstructions, such as hairpins, socks, children’s clothes, small items, delicate items, or lint. Clear or replace as needed.
• If you find and remove clogs, reassemble the washer and test it for leaks. If clogs were severe, you may still need to check the water sensing system.

Water level sensing system problems

• The pressure hose and air dome often cause drainage issues. Check the pressure hose for cracks, loose fittings, or disconnection.
• On front-loaders, leave the hose on the pressure sensor and disconnect it from the air dome to check for leaks by blowing into it. Also, check the air dome for blockages.
• On top-loaders, disconnect and blow into the hose near the pressure sensor to check for clogs. Since the hose connects to the tub at the very bottom, checking the amount of water filling the tub may be restricted by small debris, which can block the flow. Blowing through the hose near the water level sensor usually fixes the washing machine not draining issue.
• Replace cracked or stretched hoses. Hose clamps may help loose fittings but replacement is preferred.
• If the pressure sensor is used, test its resistance (some sensors read around 21–23 Ω). Replace if shorted or out of spec. Blowing to the water level sensor will damage the machine, and replacing the part will be necessary. An older-style sensor that uses a diaphragm can be reset by blowing into it. But if the water level sensor is electronic, blowing air into it will damage it irreparably.
• Older machines may use a pressure switch; blowing into it should click and change the meter reading. Replace if faulty.

Wiring harness and connectors

• Inspect wiring for broken or worn areas, especially where wires flex.
• Disconnect and reseat connectors at the control board. Test continuity for pump and sensor circuits.
• Repair or replace any damaged wiring before replacing the control board.

Timer failure (older washers)

• Timers or their drive motors can fail and stop the washer mid-cycle.
• In some cases advancing the timer slightly will let the cycle continue. The timer has too many contacts sticking out of it, and it can be very confusing and challenging to understand how it operates and how to check it. If the washing machine is not draining, and the timer contacts are bad, it’s best to contact local washer repair experts.  

Main control board

• If all other parts test good, the control board may be faulty and need replacement. Control boards are expensive and can be the reason why your top-load or front-load washing machine is not draining. Leave the replacement and diagnostics to the washer repair professionals.

Basic troubleshooting checklist when your washing machine is not draining:

• Run drain-and-spin cycle.
• Listen for pump operation.
• Check and clear the pump and hoses of clogs.
• Inspect and test the pump motor and impeller.
• Check the pressure hose, air dome, and pressure sensor or switch.
• Inspect wiring and connectors.
• Consider timer or main control board only after other checks pass.

When To Call Professionals

If your washing machine is not draining after these checks, consider calling a qualified appliance repair technician for further diagnosis and repair. At Hill Country Repairs, we offer same-day washer repair services, and we service the Austin, Lakeway, Georgetown, and Round Rock areas. Call us for quick help and leave the washer problems to one of our repair experts.