Why is My Whirlpool Washer Not Draining? [SOLVED] – Let’s Fix It

Your washing machine will break down from time to time, and that’s just a fact of life. It can be frustrating to run into issues with your Whirlpool washing machine when it’s in the middle of its cycle. Luckily, there are a few things you can check before calling a plumber out.

This article will help you figure out why you are facing Whirlpool Washer not draining problem, using simple explanations for common causes of washing machine drainage problems.

Washing clothes without a care in the world is a luxury — and one you shouldn’t take for granted. Your washer should work as well as possible and should be easy to fix.

At the end of each cycle, it’s crucial for your Whirlpool washer to drain all of the water from its drum. This prevents clothes from being wet at the end of a wash cycle, which can cause them to mildew or smell bad. Here are the steps to take if you’ve noticed that your Whirlpool washer is leaving some water behind after its cycles.

Whirlpool Washer Not Draining – Troubleshoot And Diagnosis

When the Whirlpool washer won’t drain, the water won’t pump out and the machine will appear to be stuck in a permanent cycle. The washer can’t drain because of a clogged pump filter, a kinked hose, or some other problem with the drain system.

1. Excess Sudsing

If you use too much detergent or non-HE detergent in your washing machine, the machine may not be able to drain all of the water from the tub. This can result in suds building up near the drain.

To fix this, first select another cycle and press or select “Start.” Once that cycle has finished, remove all excess water and suds from the unit.

2. Kinked/Clogged Drain Hose

From start to finish, washing clothes can be an arduous task. However, with the advancements made in the current laundry industry, the process has become easier than ever. With smart technology like auto load sensing, you can know exactly how much water your laundry needs to wash clothes effectively without overloading or under-filling washers.

If your Whirlpool washer isn’t draining, there are two likely culprits: the washer’s drain hose is either kinked or obstructed with items. If the hose is kinked, it could lead to water pooling at the bottom of your machine. If your hose is not kinked but blocked by an item, it might prevent your washer from draining completely.

If you have a noticeable kink or bend in your drain hose, inspect the inside of the hose for damage. If you do find a tear, try replacing your hose with a new one to prevent further damage.

The drain hose placement is crucial for the proper emptying of your washing machine. It is important that it be no higher than 96 inches off the floor, as if the discharge hose is placed too high, then water will remain in the drum. Gravity will not work well enough to drain your washer properly.

Whirlpool washing machines have a feature that can automatically alert you to a possible drain clog. These alerts ensure that a potential problem is dealt with as soon as possible to avoid a major issue that could potentially cause your washing machine to break down or flood.

To check the drain hose for clogs, turn off the machine and move it away from the wall. Locate the hose and detach it from the machine; remove it from the basin or tub. When your rubber gloves are on, reach up inside of the drain pipe and feel around for lumps or kinks.

Once you’ve taken the hose off, check to be sure nothing has gotten stuck inside. You may need something like a baster to squirt water through the hose to clear any blockage. Once you’ve cleared any blockage and water is running through the hose again, reconnect the hose and turn the washer back on to see if it drains.

3. Clogged Drain Pump

If your Whirlpool washer is having trouble draining the water out, the culprit could be a clogged drain pump.

Small items, like clothing tags, can slip through the washing machine’s filter and end up in the drain pump.

Check your washer’s manual to find the location of the drain pump and how to access it.

If you’ve ever noticed that your washing machine’s drain is clogged with debris you may be able to fix the problem yourself. By removing the pump and cleaning it, or by simply replacing it with a new one, most problems with drain pumps can be solved quickly and easily. If your machine is still under warranty, it might be wise to contact an authorized repair service to handle the replacement of the part.

4. Clogged Drain Pump Filter

If you find that your washer isn’t draining water at all, the first thing you should check is the pump. Take off the top of the washer, remove the pump filter, and look inside to see if there are any obstructions. If there are, try to remove them with your fingers or a pair of tweezers. If they won’t budge, spray some compressed air through the filter.

Unplug the washer from the outlet and pull it away from the wall to access the back panel. Locate the drain pump filter, which resides behind your machine, but on most front-loaders you’ll find the filter on the front.

Remove the access panel. Located the drain pump and remove the hose at the inlet side of the pump. Now hold back the pressure of the hose by blocking off one end of it with your finger. If water is still not draining, check for debris in the filter; clear debris away, and reattach hose to the inlet side of the pump. If no water drains, attempt to flush out the remaining water with a garden hose.

5. Poor Load Distribution

Overloading your front loader washer can cause it to vibrate too much, reducing its ability to spin or drain clothes effectively.

Moreover, if the vibration eventually damages the inner workings of the washer, you could face expensive replacement parts.

To ensure that your washer runs without problems, start by loading it evenly. Split the difference between full and empty loads to create a balance that will distribute clothes evenly. You can then use smaller loads to best manage your machine’s performance. Watch the spin cycle to ensure that clothes are spinning at lower speeds than normal — this is one of the main causes of unbalanced loads, which can damage your clothing and your machine.

6. Check Lid Switch

One of the most important safety systems in a washing machine is the lid switch. If the lid is open when the wash cycle starts, it will immediately shut off until the lid is closed. By preventing accidents like objects falling into the drum and causing damage, this feature can prevent thousands of dollars in repairs and replacements over the life of the washing machine.

If you’re having intermittent problems with the lid switch, there are a few different tests you can perform. First, open the lid and locate the lid switch — it’s a small black depression that makes a clicking sound when you push down on it. Then, gently push down on the switch to ensure that it’s going back up when it should be going back up.

First, double-check that the lid switch is in fact bad by testing it with a multimeter. If your measurements prove that the switch is faulty, you can replace it by following the manufacturer’s directions.

What To Do When Your Whirlpool Washer Won’t Drain

When a Whirlpool washing machine won’t drain, the issue can be due to several reasons. While minor clogs may require nothing more than a plunger, more serious problems may be related to faulty mechanical parts. Depending on the source of the problem, there are many different fixes that you can try at home.

Is your Whirlpool washer on the fritz? You can’t get it to drain and you’re afraid that it won’t clean your clothes as well. First, check the drain hose. It might have a clog in it. Clear the drain hose of any obstructions. If that doesn’t work, try using a plunger to dislodge whatever is stuck in the drain hose.

Whirlpool Front Load Washer Won’t Drain Or Spin

What to do when your Whirlpool Front Load washer won’t drain, spins slowly or leaves wet loads:

If you have selected the Delicate or Handwash cycle, you must change the cycle to a regular wash. If the problem continues, turn off the power at the breaker or fuse box and check for a kinked drain hose or clogged drain. Make sure that hose is more than 96″ above the floor and is not coiled.

Don’t let a clogged drain pump, kinked drain hose, faulty lid switch, or a clogged coin trap ruin your fun. If you have any issues with your Whirlpool washer not draining properly, don’t panic. With just some basic tools, it’s easy to partially disassemble your washer and replace any of its faulty components.