Washer not draining: what to check

Unplug first. Then the filter, then the hose.

The answer in 2 lines. Most of the time, a washer that won't drain has a clogged drain pump filter (coins, hair ties, a baby sock) or a kinked drain hose behind the machine. Unplug the washer, let hot water cool, drain the tub slowly into a shallow pan and clean the filter. Most front-loaders have a filter you can reach; many top-loaders don't, and the manual says what you can check. If water still won't drain, the pump may have failed: that's a job for a repair tech or the warranty.

The first 3 steps

Stop the cycle and unplug the washer. If it was a hot wash, let the water cool before you open anything.
Get towels and a very shallow pan (a baking sheet with edges or a low roasting pan works): several gallons can come out.
Front-loader: open the small panel at the bottom front. If there's a little drain tube, pull it out and drain the water into the pan a bit at a time, then unscrew the filter slowly, clear it, rinse it and screw it back in firmly. Run a Drain & Spin cycle.

Stop: danger

Unplug the washer before opening the filter, moving the machine or touching anything behind it: water and electricity together can cause a shock.
Water on the floor near the outlet: don't touch the plug while standing in water. Turn off that circuit at the breaker panel first, only if the panel is dry and you can reach it without stepping in water, then unplug.
After a hot cycle, the water left in the tub can scald: wait until it has cooled before opening the filter or the door.

Possible causes, simplest first

Water doesn't drain at all, no odd noise: clogged pump filter. Clean it (steps above).
Water drains slowly, or backs up into the laundry sink or standpipe: kinked or crushed drain hose behind the machine, or a clogged standpipe or laundry-sink drain. Straighten the hose; clear the drain like a sink clog.
A hum, but nothing drains: an object jamming the pump, or a failed pump. Clean the filter; if nothing changes, get it repaired.
An error code (for example OE on LG front-loaders, or a drain code on Whirlpool top-loaders): the machine is telling you what's wrong. Look up the code in your manual or on the brand's support site: LG: front-load washer not draining, OE code, Whirlpool: error codes on top-load HE washers.
The washer stops full of water at the end of a cycle: a rinse-hold option or the wrong cycle picked by mistake. Check the options, then run Drain & Spin.
The washer drains while it's still filling (the opposite problem): often a drain hose pushed too far down the standpipe, which siphons the water out. The installation instructions show the right setup: Whirlpool: drain hose installation (PDF).

What you can do yourself, and where to stop

Cleaning the filter, checking the drain hose and clearing the standpipe are safe, with the washer unplugged.
Read your brand's guide first: where the filter is, how to drain the tub and what each code means. GE Appliances: front-load washer will not drain or drains slowly · Whirlpool: front-load washer not draining · Frigidaire: washer draining slowly. For another brand, search the brand's support site with the model number (on a sticker inside the door, under the lid or on the back).
Many top-loaders have no filter you can reach: the manual will say what to check (often the hose and the drain only).
Stop there if the pump itself is the problem: replacing it means taking the washer apart. Leave it to a repair tech unless you're used to fixing appliances (step-by-step example for one model: iFixit, GE front-load drain pump replacement).

What not to do

Forcing the filter with pliers: it's plastic and breaks easily.
Opening the filter with no pan and no towels: all the water in the tub comes out at once.
Pouring a chemical drain cleaner into the washer: it can damage seals and the pump.

Preventing the next one

Empty pockets before every load: coins, tissues, keys and hair ties end up in the filter.
Wash small items (baby socks, underwire bras) in a mesh laundry bag.
Clean the filter as often as the manual says.

Who pays?

Under warranty: the manufacturer's limited warranty sets what is covered and for how long, and it varies by brand: check the warranty page of your manual or the brand's website. Depending on your state, the law may also give you implied warranty rights.
Extended warranty or service contract: read what it covers and who to call before paying anyone. The FTC explains how these contracts work: FTC: extended warranties and service contracts.
Out of warranty: ask for a written estimate, including the trip charge, before the repair. If the repair costs close to a new washer, compare.
Renters: if the landlord supplied the washer, tell them in writing; who pays depends on your lease and your state. See our guide on repairs between tenant and landlord.

In Columbus, Maria finds her laundry sitting in gray water at the end of the cycle. She unplugs the front-loader, waits for the water to cool, drains the tub into a baking sheet through the little bottom panel and pulls a quarter and a hair clip out of the filter. One Drain & Spin cycle later, it works again.

A made-up story, for illustration.

The numbers (latest published)

No official national statistics on washer drain problems were found as of November 1, 2026: we don't quote a figure.
Warranty length: there's no single national figure; it's set by each manufacturer.

Bobby

Sources, verification, confidence

Verified on November 1, 2026, for the United States. Confidence: high for the safety steps and the order of checks, which match manufacturers' guides (LG, GE Appliances, Whirlpool, Frigidaire); medium for warranty and rental questions, which depend on your brand, your contract, your lease and your state. This guide describes common cases, not a diagnosis.