Washer not draining or spinning
Call for appliance repair help during posted hours on the referral page for this service.
Standing water in a washer usually means a paused cycle, a clogged drain filter, or a kinked hose you can reach from the front. This guide does not cover motor repair, belt replacement, or opening the main control housing.
Safety first: when to call a pro
Unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before you touch settings, filters, or hoses you can reach without tools. If you smell gas, leave and call the gas utility or 911 from outside. Never open a gas appliance, refrigerant lines, or an electrical panel. Use pesticide products only as the label directs.
These checks stay on the safe side of the door: lint paths, drain filters, thermostat mode, and housekeeping. Burning smells, repeated breaker trips, gas odor, or work inside sealed panels belong to a qualified technician. Dial Home Help connects calls to independent providers and does not perform repairs.
Is the cycle paused or showing an error?
Look for a paused or child-lock icon and try cancel then spin drain if the manual allows. Write any error code exactly as shown. Unplug the machine before you touch hoses or filters. If water is near an outlet, keep your hands dry and stay off wet concrete.
Many models lock the lid or door until water is mostly drained. A forgotten pause can look like a failure. Check the display before you assume a pump failed.
Can you clear the pump filter?
Front-load washers often hide a small drain filter behind a lower front panel you can open by hand. Place towels, slowly open the filter, and let water into a shallow pan. Remove coins or lint you can see. Do not force the filter or run the machine with the filter out.
Your manual shows whether your model has a service flap. If the filter is not user-serviceable on your unit, skip this step and call.
Is the drain hose kinked or too high?
Follow the drain hose to the standpipe or sink. Remove sharp kinks and make sure the hose end is not shoved too far into the pipe, which can siphon poorly. Keep the hose secured so it cannot slip out and spill. Do not disconnect plumbing you cannot easily reattach.
A drain that is higher than the manufacturer limit can leave water in the tub. The manual lists the maximum height for your model.
Steps
- Cancel or finish the cycle. Try the spin or drain step the manual lists.
- Unplug before hose work. Keep water away from the plug and outlet.
- Clean the pump filter if your model has one. Use towels and a shallow pan.
- Straighten the drain hose. Remove kinks and check the standpipe height.
- Call if water remains after those checks. Report error codes and what you already tried.
Questions
Should I tip the washer to pour water out?
No. Tipping can damage hoses and electronics.
Is a hum with no spin always the motor?
Not always. A locked lid or filter can stop spin without motor work.