Washing machine not draining: causes and what to do
When a washing machine does not drain, the programme stops, the laundry stays wet and the door will not open while there is water in the drum. The display often shows a drain error: OE on LG, 5E/5C on Samsung, E18/F18 on Bosch, F05 on Indesit, E20 on Electrolux.
In most cases the cause is simple — a blocked pump filter or drain hose — and you can fix it yourself. Below are the causes from the most to the least common, and a step-by-step check.
Likely causes
- a blocked drain pump filter: fluff, coins, buttons, bra wires, small socks;
- a kinked, squashed or blocked drain hose — especially where it has been extended;
- a blocked sink trap or the drain pipe the machine is connected to;
- a badly fitted hose: too high, too low or pushed too far into the pipe (Samsung calls incorrect hose installation the most common cause);
- too much foam from overdosing detergent;
- a foreign object jamming the pump impeller;
- a faulty drain pump, water level sensor (pressure switch) or control board.
Safe steps you can try
Unplug the machine before you start. If it was a hot wash, let the water cool — Samsung advises waiting about an hour. Have a shallow container and towels ready: there may be a lot of water.
- Check the programme: if you chose an option that leaves water in the tub (such as Rinse Hold), simply run Drain.
- Open the flap at the bottom of the front panel and drain the water through the emergency hose, or, if there is none, by slowly unscrewing the pump filter a little at a time.
- Take the filter out, clean out fluff and small objects and rinse it. Check that the pump impeller turns freely.
- Screw the filter back in firmly and close the flap.
- Check the whole length of the drain hose for kinks and bends. If it has been extended, check the joint.
- Check the hose installation against your manual: it must not go too far into the pipe (no more than 10 cm for AEG and Electrolux) and must be fixed at the right height (60–100 cm for the same brands).
- Check the house drain: put the end of the hose into a bowl or the bath and run Drain. If the water goes normally, the blockage is in the sink trap or pipe — clear it.
- If there is a lot of foam in the drum, remove it and use less detergent next time.
- Switch the machine on and run Drain or Spin.
When to call a technician
Call a technician if the filter, hose and drain are clear but the water still does not go, you cannot hear the pump while draining, the pump hums but does not pump, or the drain error comes back after every wash.
In these cases the drain pump usually needs replacing; less often the water level sensor or the board is at fault. A MasService technician comes to your home anywhere in Baku, tests the pump, wiring and sensor and names the price before the repair.
Error codes for this fault
Frequently asked questions
How do I open the door if water is left in the machine?
The lock will not release while there is water in the drum. Drain it through the emergency hose or the pump filter at the bottom of the machine, then switch the machine off and wait a few minutes.
Why does the machine drain, but very slowly?
It is usually a partial blockage: the pump filter, the hose or the sink trap is not completely blocked. Clean them as described above. If that does not help, the pump may be weak — it needs checking.
Can I keep using a machine that does not drain?
No. Water left in the tub goes stale and starts to smell, and a pump working against a blockage can overheat. Clear the blockage first or call a technician.
How often should I clean the pump filter?
Every few months, and always after washing items with lint or small parts. It is the best way to prevent blockages.
Other faults
Washing machine repair — Brands
Could not fix it yourself? A technician comes to your home in Baku, finds the cause on site and names the price before the repair: Washing machine repair