Common washing machine problem
Washing machine not draining? Here's what to check
A washing machine not draining is usually a blocked filter, or a blocked or burnt-out pump. The filter is something you may be able to clear yourself. A pump is a job for an engineer, and usually worth doing.
- £75 fixed labour fee, plus parts
- Usually repaired the same or next working day
- Parts and labour guaranteed
What you might be seeing
- The drum is full of water, or about a quarter full, at the end of the wash.
- It won't drain even though the filter is clean.
- The door won't open because there's still water inside.
- Clothes come out soaking wet because the machine never got to the spin.
Checks that are safe to do at home
If you are happy to have a look yourself, these are the checks that are safe to do. Unplug the machine first. If you would rather not, just give us a call. We're always happy to help.
- Switch the machine off at the wall and unplug it. Put towels down in front of it: there will be water.
- Open the little flap at the bottom front. Most machines have a short emergency drain tube behind it. Pull it out, take the bung off and drain the water into a shallow tray, a bit at a time.
- Unscrew the filter. Expect coins, hair grips, a sock. Clean it and check the small plastic impeller behind it spins freely with a finger.
- Check that a rinse hold or crease care option has not been selected on the programme. Some machines hold the water on purpose until you press start again.
- Check the grey drain hose at the back is not kinked or pushed too far down the standpipe, and that the sink trap it drains into is not blocked.
- Put the filter back, tighten it, plug in and run a rinse and spin. If it drains, you have fixed it.
Electrical Safety First has general advice on using a washing machine safely.
Rather we had a look?
That is fine too. Ring us with the make and what the machine is doing, and we will give you the price before anyone comes out. Most of these are done the same or next working day.
Still not working? The likely causes
Most common first, and how we tell them apart on the day.
Blocked filter
The most common cause. If it is clear and the impeller turns freely, the blockage is further in.
Blocked sump hose
The short hose between the drum and the pump. Socks and bra wires lodge in it. We take the machine apart to clear it.
Pump burnt out, or something wrapped round its impeller
We listen for the pump running at the end of the cycle and test the pump itself.
Blocked drain hose, standpipe or sink trap, or a drain hose that is too long or too high
We drain the hose into a bucket to see whether the blockage is in the machine or the household plumbing.
What the repair costs, and whether it is worth it
Our labour is a fixed £75 for a freestanding machine or £85 for a built-in one, including VAT, whatever the fault. Parts are extra and quoted first. The part prices below are based on Hotpoint parts when we last checked. Other makes can cost more or less.
| Repair | Typical part price | Typical total | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear the filter or sump hose | No part | £75 (£85 built-in) | Usually yes |
| New drain pump | £8 to £57 | £83 to £132 | Usually yes |
| New drain hose | £10 to £30 | £85 to £105 | Usually yes |
A draining fault is usually worth repairing, whatever the age of the machine.
What repairs usually cost, part by part · Is it worth repairing your washing machine?
Error codes that mean this fault
If your machine shows a code, it is telling you which circuit failed its check. These are the ones that point to this fault.
| Make | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | 5C / 5E | What it means → |
| Hotpoint and Indesit | F05 | What it means → |
| Bosch, Siemens, Neff | E18 | What it means → |
| Beko | E03 | What it means → |
| AEG, Zanussi, Electrolux | E20 / C2 | What it means → |
| LG | OE | What it means → |
| Hoover and Candy | E03 | What it means → |
| Miele | F11 | What it means → |
Related problems: Door won't open · Not spinning · all common problems
Questions people ask
How do I force my washing machine to drain?
Unplug it, put towels down, and use the emergency drain tube behind the filter flap at the bottom front. If there is no tube, unscrew the filter slowly and let the water run into a shallow tray. Then clean the filter.
Why is there standing water in my washing machine?
The pump could not empty the drum. Usually the filter is blocked or something is caught in the pump. Less often the pump has failed or the drain hose is blocked.
It still won't drain after I cleaned the filter. What now?
Then the blockage is deeper, in the sump hose, or the pump has failed. Both are inside the machine, so that is the point to ring us. The £75 fee covers finding the fault and fixing it. A new pump is £8 to £57 on top.
Checked all that and it is still not draining? Ring us.
- 1
Ring or book online. A photo of any error code helps.
- 2
We tell you the likely fault and the price before anyone comes out.
- 3
We come the same or next working day, fix it and run a wash with you.
Open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5.30pm