Washing Machine Won't Drain? 5 Things to Check
A washer full of soggy clothes and standing water is one of the most common calls we get across Toronto and the GTA. Here's how to narrow down the cause — three of these checks take under five minutes.
1. Check the drain hose
Pull the washer out slightly and inspect the drain hose for kinks, crushing or clogs. Also confirm it's installed at the right height — a hose pushed too far down the standpipe can cause siphoning and draining problems.
2. Clean the pump filter
Most front-loaders (and many top-loaders) have a small access panel near the bottom front. Place a towel and shallow tray underneath, open it, and clear out the coins, hair pins, lint and debris that accumulate there. A blocked filter is the single most common cause of no-drain calls.
3. Test the lid switch or door lock
Washers refuse to spin or drain if they think the door is open. If the machine fills and washes but stops before the drain and spin, a worn lid switch or door-lock assembly is a likely culprit — an inexpensive part to replace.
4. Listen for the drain pump
During the drain cycle you should hear a low hum from the pump. Silence usually means a failed pump or a jammed impeller; a loud grinding noise means something is stuck inside it. Either way, the pump needs service.
5. Know when to stop
If the filter is clean and the hose is clear but the washer still won't drain, the fault is electrical or mechanical — pump, control board or wiring. Our technicians diagnose it in person for an $80 service call, waived when you proceed with the repair, and most drain repairs finish in one visit.
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