5 Reasons Why Washing Machine Drain Pump Keeps Running – Lets Fix It

The washing machine internal drain pump is designed to maintain the correct water level to prevent overflow as washes take place. The drain pump is designed to turn off automatically when the water level is high enough to prevent overflowing. However, there are times when the problem may arise by when the Washing Machine Drain Pump Keeps Running.

A drain pump on your washing machine runs continuously, even when the machine is off. Something is wrong and you have to know what it is before it ruins the machine.

The problem could be a defective control board, a water level switch, or a faulty drain pump. If there’s something wrong with the water inlet valve, you may find that the hose leading into it is kinked or bent in the wrong direction.

Let’s look at some common reasons for a washing machine drain pump that won’t stop running.

Washing Machine Drain Pump Keeps Running – Troubleshoot and Diagnosis

Before you start troubleshooting a washer, make sure it is unplugged and empty of clothes. If there is water in the tub or drum, water is getting into the pump and causing it to run continuously. If there is no water in the tub or drum then the pump may be clogged. Remove the drain filter and clean it with a vacuum cleaner. Clean any lint from around the pump or water inlet lines, then turn power back on.

That being said, lets start.

1. Faulty Control Board

The control board in your washing machine is responsible for regulating the different functions of your machine. It handles everything from the settings you choose before you start your wash to the water temperature and length of each cycle. As controls go, it’s fairly simple but crucial to operation.

At the touch of a button, you can create a single, customized cycle for any laundry load you have running — no matter how large. The control board coordinates all machine’s actions and will alert you when it’s time to switch laundry loads. What sets smart washers apart is their ability to monitor the quality of the wash and adjust settings according to your preferences and what’s happening inside them.

When something goes wrong with the washing machine’s control board, it can cause problems with the machine’s overall performance. For example, if the machine stops spinning and refuses to drain, the control board is usually to blame — but there are other potential issues as well.

Many washing machines have broken control boards — some due to an engineering or manufacturing defect, while others are caused by electrical problems. A common issue is when a washing machine has been connected to an overloaded circuit. This can cause too much wattage and heat to build up, causing wiring to weaken and break — which can leave you without a functioning control board.

So, what can cause a washing machine’s control board to malfunction? There are numerous causes, but some of the most common include: power surges, electrical problems, water seepage, and even excessive wear and tear.

Another thing to consider is that an older washer unit could suffer from wear and tear over time. The control board could be one of those components that simply wears out in time.

You might think the “resistor” is a piece of hardware, but it’s actually a function. Inside the washer’s control board is a computer chip with electronic coded instructions that determine how much water it will drain to clean your laundry. If a “damaged” resistor chips or corrodes while inside this chip, it can cause the washer to drain more water than needed and hence drain pump will keep running, which means you’ll use more energy and water.

The best way to resolve the issue quickly is to replace the board entirely. If you’re handy with a soldering iron, you can try replacing the board yourself, but it is more common to ask an appliance technician to help instead.

2. Faulty Drain Pump

A washing machine is an essential appliance that helps keep your clothes clean, but not everyone knows how it works. A washer’s drum fills with water before spinning at high speeds to agitate the dirt out of clothes. After a few cycles, everything will be washed, soaked, and ready to be hung outside to dry in the mild weather. A washing machine is an essential piece of technology that helps you remove stains from your clothes day in and day out.

The main stage of any washing machine cycle is the drain cycle, and it’s important to know how your washer removes water. Most modern washing machines have a built-in drain pump that drains out excess water — helping to reduce mold, mildew, and bad odors in your laundry room or wherever your washing machine is being used.

If your washing machine has a drain pump, it can fail and stop working. This can make it difficult to do any laundry.

A faulty or blocked drain pump can make your washing machine jack-up. First of all, a faulty drain pump might simply fail to turn on, leaving your washing machine full of water and unable to finish cleaning your clothes. Secondly, in this situation, the drain pump can also fail by being permanently stuck on.

Sometimes, it makes more sense to take a product to a professional. If you don’t want to do anything more than troubleshooting and modify your current parts, you might be able to replace the drain pump yourself. Check user manuals or online resources for instructions on replacing parts. If you don’t feel confident about doing it yourself, call a plumber for professional service.

3. Broken Water Level Switch

Your washing machine works by utilizing the water level switch, a tiny component that sits in the tub to make sure that there’s enough water to go through every cycle and also empty itself out. It’s a bottom-mounted switch that uses an arm to check and maintain the amount of water in the tub for different washing cycles.

The water level switch is designed to measure the amount of water in the drum. When it gets filled to a certain point, it will stop letting more water come in. This prevents overfilling and damage to your washer.

When your washing machine detects that its water is overflowing, it can also effectively control the drain pump to empty out overflowing water. Then when the machine is shut down, the water inside it will be drained out automatically and effectively. This is not just effective, but also saves you from having to carry out further work and makes cleaning up much easier.

If your washing machine’s water level switch is defective or faulty, it won’t be able to shut off the machine’s motor when the water levels reach a certain point. This may cause the washer to use additional water, which will waste your time, money, and energy.

Finding the water level switch on your washer should be pretty easy. The switch is usually located just behind the door hinge, so you can find it quickly by locating that section of the washer’s shell. To get to it, simply take off any panels and remove any connectors or wires that are in your way until you can see the switch itself.

When the water level inside your washing machine reaches the maximum mark, the hose connecting the water level switch to the washing machine will compress and activate the water level switch indicator. This in return sends an electrical signal to the machine in order to stop any further filling of water.

Before disconnecting the washing machine old water level switch, take a photo of it. This will help you refer to it as you install the new switch just as you had it before, so you don’t have to spend extra time figuring out how your machine is supposed to be set up.

4. Broken Water Inlet Valve

Despite the many impressive features that your washing machine has, one component that is bound to be useful time and time again is the water inlet valve. A problem with this component can have a massive impact on how well your washing machine works. Luckily, it’s easy to spot signs of a faulty water inlet valve and replace one should you need to.

the water inlet valve is linked to the control board to ensure there’s just enough water present in the drum. To avoid flooding, it has a water level sensor that will automatically close once enough water has filled the drum.

The reason why the drain pump keeps running after a cycle is over has something to do with the water inlet valve. The drain pump needs to continue running until the water left in the drum is drained out, so that’s when we need to close the valve that sends water into your washer.

If a washing machine has an inlet valve that isn’t working correctly, it could continue to let water flow into the washer even as the drain pump is working hard to empty it at the same time. If your washer makes any strange noises, it’s possible that this is what’s going on.

But how do you know when the washer is stuck in the drain cycle? Well, if you see a bunch of water filling up the tub but not going into the drain, then your washer is stuck in drain cycle mode. You’re going to want to shut off this washer manually and fix it before you get a flood in your laundry room.

To replace the washing machine’s water inlet valve, you’ll have to take it apart, but not only that — you’ll also have to deal with both electrical connectors and hoses, so be prepared. Also note that your model might not use hoses for the inlet and outlet.

Turn off the power supply and disconnect the water supply to the machine. Remove any items from the washer before you open any panels; you could drop something and it could damage your device. Place a cloth underneath the water inlet valve, just in case some water drips out unexpectedly. Replace the old inlet valve with a new one.

5. Drain Hose is Incorrectly Positioned

A drain hose is a hose that is attached to the back or side wall of your washing machine. It carries all the dirty water from washing your clothes, so it can be siphoned off when you are done and before you start a new load of laundry, or if something gets stuck in the drainage system. The hose will be connected to the washer at one end and to a discharge area at the other.

A drainage hose is a critical component of most washing machines. In an ideal situation, it is installed within the home at a 90-degree angle going out of the washer and into a standpipe. But many times, this hose just kind of dangles on the ground, lessening its efficiency. To ensure you have a drainage hose that works well with your machine, it must be inserted into the standpipe properly.

Make sure that the drain hose is only about 4.5 inches deep into the standpipe, or it could cause clogging due to water backing up. Also, make sure not to tape the drain hose to the standpipe. The hose needs airflow to help the water flow smoothly through the pipe.

If a washing machine’s drain hose is improperly positioned or clogged, the drain pump will spend more time than usual running. This leads to the pump being placed under much more strain than necessary, which can have a negative impact on its lifespan.

A clogged drain hose will not only cause you to have to replace the washing machine, it could result in a flooding problem. You don’t want to have to deal with that kind of stress. To prevent a flooded floor and save your carpet, understanding how to place the drain hose is key.

If you find that your washing machine drain pump keeps running, the most common reason is due to a drain hose incorrectly positioned or it is clogged. The drain hose is located on the back of the washing machine and it should be placed in a standpipe coming out of the wall. First, check for any blockages in the hose. If none are found, open the standpipe and ensure that it is 4.5 inches deep.