Have you ever opened the lid of your washing machine, only to find that your clothes are sitting in a pool of water? This can not only be super frustrating but also concerning, because when your washing machine malfunctions, it can be a huge inconvenience, especially if you have to go to your local laundromat.
While each washing machine is different in how it cleans your clothes, the basic functionality is the same. The drum fills with water and runs through a wash cycle. This cycle then drains the soapy water and runs a spin cycle to get most of the water out. The washer drum then refills to rinse the clothes with clean water and after rinsing, spins the clothes dry.
If this isn’t happening for you and your washing machine drum is failing to drain properly, leaving your clothes wet, you can follow these troubleshooting tips before booking one of our appliance repair professionals for help.
Perform a Master Reset
Unplug your washer and leave it unplugged for about one minute. Plug the washer back in and open and close the door six times in 12 seconds to signal the computer, to reset everything. While this may not work on all washing machines, it’s an easy fix, if yours is compatible with this technique.
Check The Lid Switch Assembly
Top-loading washers only spin and drain when the lid is properly in its place. A defective lid switch assembly could be causing the problem.
If the machine responds when you depress the lid switch with your finger, you’ll need to extend the stem on the lid so it depresses the switch. If nothing happens when you press the washer’s lid switch, you may need to replace it.h
Check If Your Drain Hose is Kinked
You can find the washer’s drain hose behind your washer. Check to see if the hose is clear and doesn’t have any kinks. This makes sure water can easily flow through it. If the hose is kinked, this could stop the water from the washing machine from draining and you’ll want to replace it.
Check For Drain Hose or Pump Clogs
It’s not uncommon for a sock or other small piece of clothing to get into the drain system and clog the hose or pump. To see if this is causing an issue, remove the front panel of the washer and check for any obstructions in these areas. If you find anything stuck in there, remove it, to see if this triggers the washing machine to drain.
If you remove the hose to get an obstruction out of the pump, any water in the washer will come pouring out and therefore you’ll want to use a bucket to capture any water that may spill. You can also scoop out as much water from the drum as possible, before disconnecting the hose.
Clean The Coin Trap
While not common on all washing machines, some washers have a coin trap, designed to catch objects such as loose change, before they flow into the drain. They usually have a panel designed for easy access and if your washer has one, clean it out and see if the tub will drain now.
Check The Water Level Control
A faulty water level control can prevent your washing machine from draining and spinning properly. To access this controller, open the machine’s control panel and look for a plastic tube, attached to the water level valve. If your machine clogs, you can clear it out with vinegar. If the valve itself corrodes, you will have to replace it.
Schedule Washing Machine Repair
If you’ve worked through all of these troubleshooting tips and your washing machine still won’t drain, a broken water pump or drive belt may be the issue. To ensure these components are properly replaced, it’s best to schedule professional repair or replacement to get your machine working again. Our experienced partners can efficiently and effectively restore your washing machine to good working order and help you get your peace of mind back.