A washing machine that will not drain leaves you with wet, soapy clothes and often an error code such as 5E/5C on Samsung, OE on LG or E18 on Bosch. In most cases the cause is a blockage, which you can often clear yourself.
Safety first
Unplug the machine before you start. Put towels on the floor and have a shallow tray ready: there may be several litres of water inside.
Step 1: Check the drain hose
Pull the machine forward gently and look at the grey drain hose at the back. Make sure it is not kinked, crushed behind the machine, or pushed too far into the wall drain. A hose pushed too deep can siphon water back in.
Step 2: Clean the drain pump filter
On most front-loaders the filter is behind a small door at the bottom front of the machine. Place your tray underneath, open the small emergency drain hose if there is one, and let the water out. Then unscrew the filter slowly. You will often find coins, hairpins, buttons, tissue and lint. Clean it, check the pump impeller turns freely, and screw the filter back firmly.
Step 3: Check the wall drain or sink trap
If the machine drains into a sink trap or a floor drain, that drain may be the blockage. Pour a bucket of water into it: if it backs up, the house drain needs clearing, not the machine.
Step 4: Run a drain or spin cycle
Plug the machine back in and select Drain or Spin. Listen near the bottom. A humming pump with no water moving suggests a blockage deeper in the hose or pump. Silence suggests a pump or control fault.
Common causes a technician will fix
- Failed drain pump: the motor burns out or the impeller breaks.
- Blockage in the sump hose between the drum and the pump, often a sock or baby clothes.
- Pressure sensor fault: the machine thinks it is still full.
- Control board or wiring problem that stops power reaching the pump.
- Door lock fault on some models, which stops the drain-and-spin stage.
How to prevent it
- Check pockets before every wash.
- Wash small items like socks and bras in a mesh laundry bag.
- Clean the pump filter once a month.
- Use the correct amount of detergent to avoid sludge.
Still stuck? Our technicians repair washing machines of every brand across the UAE, usually on the first visit. See our washing machine repair service or send us the error code on WhatsApp.
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