Quick answer
A washer that will not drain is usually blocked by a kinked drain hose, a clogged pump filter (behind the small panel at the bottom front of most front loaders) or a clogged house drain. Unplug it, check the hose, drain and clean the filter, and pour a bucket of water down the standpipe. If the standpipe backs up, call a plumber; if the pump hums without moving water, call an appliance technician. Typical washer repairs run $125–$450 (HomeAdvisor). Call (888) 217-0236 to reach an appliance repair company taking calls in your ZIP; the line is answered 24/7.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Written & reviewed by Marcus ReedIICRC WRT
Reviewed October 27, 2026· Next review Apr 2027
A washer that stops with water in the drum, or will not spin because it cannot drain first, is blocked somewhere between the drum and the standpipe. Most of the time the blockage is something small: a sock in the pump, lint in the filter, or a kinked hose. Those are worth checking before anyone is called.
Before You Start
Unplug the washer and turn off both water valves behind it. Put towels down and have a shallow pan ready: a front loader can hold a few gallons below the door line.
Five Checks, in Order
- 1The drain hose. Pull the washer out and check that the hose is not kinked or crushed against the wall.
- 2The pump filter (most front loaders). Behind a small panel at the bottom front, there is a filter cap with a short drain tube. Drain the water into the pan, then unscrew the cap. Coins, hair ties, socks and lint stop the pump here.
- 3The standpipe or sink. Pour a bucket of water down the standpipe. If it backs up, the clog is in the house drain, not the washer, and that is a plumber's job.
- 4The lid switch or door lock. Many washers will not drain or spin if they cannot sense the lid or lock the door. Listen for the lock click at the start of a cycle.
- 5Run a drain-and-spin cycle. If the pump hums without moving water after the filter is clear, the pump or its impeller is likely jammed or failed.
Talk to an appliance repair technician
One call reaches an appliance repair company taking calls in your ZIP, answered 24/7.
Who Fixes What
| What you found | Likely cause | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| Debris in the pump filter | Clog at the pump | Nobody, once it is cleared |
| Standpipe backs up with a bucket of water | Clogged house drain | Plumber |
| Pump hums, water stays | Jammed or failed drain pump | Appliance technician |
| No hum, no drain, lid locks fine | Pump motor, wiring or control | Appliance technician |
| Drains, but will not spin | Lid switch, door lock, belt, motor or an unbalanced load | Technician (after redistributing the load) |
| Water on the floor while draining | Loose drain hose, split hose, overflowing standpipe | Fix the hose; see washer leaking from the bottom |
What a Repair Costs
HomeAdvisor puts typical washer repairs at $125–$450, about $180, and Fixr's national average is $150–$400. A drain pump replacement usually lands inside that range. The washer repair page shows the sources.
When to Call
Call after the filter and hose are clear and the standpipe takes water. If the standpipe backs up, the call is to a plumber instead. (888) 217-0236 is answered 24/7 and connects you to an appliance repair company taking calls in your ZIP for washers, dryers, ovens, stoves, cooktops and freezers. Follow the short menu, enter your 5-digit ZIP and stay on while it connects; if it does not connect, call once more.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my washer not draining?
Usually a clogged pump filter, a kinked hose or a clogged house drain. Less often the drain pump, the lid switch or the door lock has failed.
Who do I call when my washer won't drain?
An appliance repair technician if the hose and filter are clear and the pump hums; a plumber if water backs up out of the standpipe.
How much does it cost to fix a washer that won't drain?
HomeAdvisor puts typical washer repairs at $125–$450, about $180; Fixr's national average is $150–$400. A drain pump replacement usually falls inside that range.
Why won't my washer spin?
Most washers will not spin until they drain, so a drain clog stops the spin too. Other causes are the lid switch, the door lock, the belt or an unbalanced load.
Sources
Methodology: How we source and verify data · Report an error
Disclaimer: HearthDry is an independent educational resource. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, or insurance advice. Consult licensed professionals before making decisions about your property or insurance claims.
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