Washing Machine Won’t Drain Water

Step 1: Check the Basics First

If the machine has stopped mid-cycle with water inside and will not respond, check that the fuse has not blown and the wall socket is working correctly before investigating a drainage fault. A dead machine caused by a blown fuse or faulty socket looks identical to a machine with a drainage fault – but resolving the power issue gets the machine running again and pumps the water out without any further work.

Step 2: Drain the Water Manually

Before investigating the drain fault, as much water as possible needs to be removed from the machine. Attempting to access the pump filter or move the machine with a full drum is messy and risky.

See our full guide on how to manually drain water from a washing machine. Return here once the water has been drained to identify the cause.

Step 3: Establish Whether the Pump Is Running

This is the key diagnostic question. The answer determines which cause to investigate.

If the Pump Is Not Running

The most common reason a pump does not run is a physical obstruction jamming the impeller. With the machine unplugged and water drained, access the pump and check the impeller by hand:

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  The impeller should rotate fairly freely. It may have a slight magnetic resistance at one consistent point per revolution – this is normal. If it will not turn at all or is loose on the shaft, it is jammed or damaged.
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  Listen when the machine attempts to drain. A humming sound instead of the normal pump noise suggests the pump motor is receiving power and is electrically functional but cannot rotate because it is physically jammed.
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  If the impeller turns freely and the pump is not jammed, the pump motor needs electrical testing. A continuity test across the pump terminals checks for an open circuit winding – standard washing machine pump windings measure approximately 165 ohms. An open circuit reading confirms pump motor failure. This testing requires a multimeter and knowledge of safe electrical testing – if in doubt, book an engineer.

If the Pump Is Running – Check for Blockages

Work through the drainage path from the simplest and most accessible check to the most involved.

1. Check the drain hose spigot connection at the U-bend.

   If the drain hose connects to a plastic spigot screwed into the U-bend under the sink, unscrew the spigot and inspect the opening. Small objects, accumulated lint, or threads can build up here and restrict flow enough to prevent drainage despite the pump running normally. This check requires no tools and does not require moving the machine.

2. Check and clean the pump filter.

   Most washing machines have a pump filter accessible at the front base behind a panel or kickplate. Place towels on the floor and slowly unscrew the filter cap – water will escape as it opens. Remove the filter and check for blockages. A sock, large accumulation of lint, or similar object physically blocking the filter could account for the drainage failure. A few coins or buttons alone are unlikely to be the cause – only a substantial obstruction will stop drainage. See our guide on washing machine pump filter location and cleaning.

3. Inspect inside the pump chamber through the filter opening.

   With the filter removed, shine a torch into the pump chamber where the impeller is visible. Objects such as coins, hairbands, hair grips, or bra underwires can get drawn through the filter and lodge against or inside the impeller. These make a loud grinding noise when the pump runs. Remove any objects found.

4. If no blockage is found at accessible points – consider an engineer.

   If the pump is running, water is not draining, and no blockage is found in the filter, spigot, or U-bend, the blockage may be in a less accessible location – inside the sump hose, the pump chamber itself, or further along the drain hose. If water drained out easily when manually drained through the filter, this suggests no physical blockage in those routes. See our guide on no blockage but still not draining.

Two Variations of Drain Failure

There are two distinct patterns of drain failure with different implications:

Safety – do not attempt electrical testing without the right knowledge

Testing pump motor windings requires working with electrical components. Ensure the machine is unplugged before accessing any internal components. If unsure about any step in this diagnosis, book a qualified engineer rather than risk electric shock. See our guide on DIY appliance repair safety.

Related Guides

Washing Machine Pump Filter
Where to find the pump filter, how to access it, and what to look for when checking for blockages.


No Blockage But Still Not Draining
What to investigate when the pump is running, no blockage is found, but the machine still won’t drain.


Won’t Drain After Being Moved
Why a recently installed or moved machine may not drain – often a simpler fix than a pump fault.


All About Washing Machine Pumps
How washing machine drain pumps work, how to test them, and when to replace rather than repair.

Frequently Asked Questions