WATER STAYS IN THE DRUM

Washing machine not draining? Check the drain hose and filter first.

Check these in order

1. Read the display first. A code narrows it down: LG OE, Samsung 5C / 5E, Whirlpool F21 or Whirlpool F9 E1. On 2015 and newer GE top-loads, “Po” scrolling or a flashing RINSE light means the pump-out took too long, possibly because of a clog.
2. Straighten and clear the drain hose. Whirlpool says to make sure the hose is not kinked or clogged and to remove any blockage from the hose, the drainpipe and the utility sink. Samsung adds that it must not be bent or damaged. Samsung also cautions: do not remove the screw on the back of the washer that holds the drain hose against it.
3. Check how far the hose goes into the standpipe. Whirlpool warns that a hose pushed too far can let drained water siphon back into the washer, and says not to seal it with tape. Samsung says an airtight connection is a problem. The two brands give different depths (see the table), so follow your own manual.
4. Check the standpipe height. Too low and gravity can pull water through; too high and the pump may not push it out. The limits differ by brand (see the table).
5. Clean the pump filter if your front-loader has one. Whirlpool says the filter on some front-load models can clog with dirt, lint or other items and should be cleaned occasionally. Samsung lists the filter for front-loaders only and says top-loaders do not have one. Keep towels ready and follow your manual; Whirlpool shows the steps in videos for models with and without a storage drawer.
6. Rule out the load and the settings. Whirlpool says the washer only operates when the door or lid is securely closed, that an unbalanced or overloaded load can stop draining and spinning, that a gentle spin speed leaves more water in the load, and that too much detergent makes suds that can stop pumping. Use HE detergent and measure it.
7. Top-loaders, GE: know what is normal. GE says a sloshing sound with no visible water is the balance ring and is normal, and that pauses of up to three minutes are normal. On a manual dial, do not advance the timer after agitation or the washer may miss the pump-out. To test the house drain, GE says to remove the hose and pour a quart of water into the standpipe; if it will not drain, GE recommends a plumber.

Hose and standpipe numbers differ by brand

Whirlpool’s own pages quote 30 in and 39 in for the minimum standpipe height, and Samsung gives 6 to 8 in where Whirlpool says no more than 4.5 in. We list what each page says; your installation instructions are the number to follow.

If it comes back

If the drum is full and the washer hums, or the pump runs and nothing leaves, stop and schedule service. GE’s page says exactly that for a tub full of water that just hums. Tell service:

• The brand, model number (where to find it) and any code on the display.
• That you checked the hose for kinks, the depth in the standpipe, and the pump filter (front-loaders).
• Where in the cycle it stopped, and about how much water is left in the drum.

Private tools: prepare a Service Brief → or save a washer log →. Compare the cost of a repair with replacement in the repair-or-replace calculator.