Front Load Washer Not Draining: How to Clean the Drain Pump Filter

A front load washer that stops with water in the drum is one of the most stressful laundry problems, mostly because the door will not open and the clothes are stuck inside. The good news is that the cause is usually simple. Front loaders have a small filter in front of the drain pump that catches coins, hair ties, buttons, bra wires and small socks before they reach the pump. When that filter fills up, water cannot leave the drum and the washer stops with a drain error.

This guide walks through draining the washer safely, cleaning the pump filter on the most common brands, the other causes to check if cleaning does not help and how to tell when the drain pump itself has failed.

Quick answer: why won't my front load washer drain?

The most common cause is a clogged drain pump filter behind a small panel on the lower front of the washer. After that, check for a kinked drain hose, a clogged standpipe or laundry sink, and finally a failed drain pump. LG shows this as OE, Samsung as 5C or 5E, Whirlpool and Maytag as F9 E1 and many other brands as a flashing drain light.

Drain error codes by brand

Codes vary by model, so check your manual too. LG owners can jump to our LG washer OE error guide.

Before you start

• Unplug the washer and turn off both water faucets behind it
• Lay down old towels; a full drum can hold several gallons
• Get a shallow baking pan or a dust pan that fits under the filter
• Have a bucket and a flashlight ready
• If the cycle used hot water, wait for it to cool

How to clean the drain pump filter

1. 1

   Open the access panel

   On most front loaders it is a small door on the lower left or right corner. Some Whirlpool and Maytag models need the full kick plate removed.

2. 2

   Drain with the small hose first

   Many models have a thin drain tube next to the filter. Pull it out, remove its cap over the pan and let the water run out slowly. Empty the pan as often as needed.

3. 3

   Unscrew the filter slowly

   Turn the filter counterclockwise a little at a time. If there is no drain tube, this is how the water comes out, so go slowly over the pan.

4. 4

   Clean out the debris

   Pull the filter out and remove hair, lint and objects. Rinse it under the sink.

5. 5

   Check the impeller

   Shine a flashlight into the opening. The pump impeller should turn freely with a finger. A sock or coin stuck there will stop the pump.

6. 6

   Reinstall and test

   Screw the filter back firmly, close the panel, restore power and water, and run a drain and spin cycle. Check for drips at the filter.

Still not draining? Check these next

Drain hose

Pull the washer forward and look for kinks or a hose crushed against the wall. The hose should enter the standpipe no more than about 8 inches; pushed in too deep, it can siphon or seal off.

Standpipe or laundry sink

If the washer pumps but water backs up out of the standpipe or the sink drains slowly, the house drain is clogged, not the washer.

Frozen drain line

In unheated Minnesota laundry areas, garages or cabins, the drain hose can freeze. Warm the area before running the washer.

Drain pump

If the filter is clean, the hose is clear and you hear a hum with no water moving, or no sound at all during drain, the pump motor has likely failed. A technician confirms by testing voltage at the pump and the pump's resistance.

Control or pressure switch

Less often, the washer thinks it has drained when it has not, or never tells the pump to run. A pressure switch or control fault needs professional testing.

How often to clean the filter

Every three to four months for most homes, and monthly with pets, young children or work clothes. A quick look at the filter is also the first thing to try when the washer starts to smell, because trapped water there turns stale.

Prevent drain problems

• Empty pockets before every load
• Wash socks, bras and small items in a mesh bag
• Use only HE detergent, 1 to 2 tablespoons per load
• Leave the door open between loads so the boot seal and filter area dry
• Clean the filter on a schedule, not just when the washer stops

What a drain repair visit looks like

When you call us for a washer that will not drain, the technician first drains the drum safely and checks the filter, then runs the washer's own diagnostic or service mode, which can run the drain pump on command. If the pump does not run, we test whether the control is sending power to it. Power with no movement means the pump has failed; no power points to wiring or the control board. We also check the drain hose route and the standpipe height. Common drain pumps for LG, Samsung, Whirlpool and Maytag front loaders are usually on the truck, so most drain repairs finish in one visit.

What about top load washers?

Most top load washers do not have a front access filter. When they stop draining, the cause is usually a sock or small item stuck in the pump, a kinked hose or a failed pump or lid switch. Some newer top loaders do have a filter behind a lower panel, so check your manual before calling.

Leaks are a different problem with different causes; see how we traced one in our Whirlpool washer leak repair story. If the filter is clear and the washer still will not drain, book washer repair in Rochester and we will test the pump, hose and controls on the spot.