Washing machine won’t drain after being moved

The Three Most Common Causes

• 
  A blanking piece left inside the U-bend drain connector. Common in new-build properties and occasionally in older ones where the previous occupant replaced the cap. The blanking piece blocks all water flow regardless of how well the machine is working.
• 
  An obstruction dislodged inside the machine during transit. A coin, bra wire, nail, or screw sitting in the base of the drum or sump hose can be shaken loose during a move and find its way into the pump, jamming the impeller.
• 
  A wiring connection or physical component disturbed during the move. The electrical connector to the pump can work loose during transit, or damage can occur to the pump or its connections.

Cause 1: The Blanking Piece

This is by far the most important cause to check first, because it is entirely external to the machine – the machine itself may be in perfect working order.

The drain hose from the washing machine connects to a plastic spigot fitting screwed onto the U-bend under the kitchen sink. In a newly built property, or one where no washing machine has been installed before, this spigot will have been fitted with a blanking cap to prevent sink water flooding into the under-sink cupboard. Until this cap is removed, no water can pass through from the machine into the drain.

Also check in older properties

In a property that has had a washing machine before, the previous occupant may have replaced the blanking cap when they left – to prevent the open spigot draining the sink into the cupboard. This is less common but worth checking.

How to Check and Remove the Blanking Piece

1. Disconnect the washing machine drain hose from the spigot on the U-bend.
2. Unscrew the spigot connector from the U-bend.
3. Look inside the connector at the tapered end where the drain hose attaches, and at the base where it connects to the U-bend. A blanking cap may be fitted at either point.
4. Also check inside the U-bend aperture itself for any obstruction or cap.
5. Remove the blanking piece if present. On some connectors, the tapered end of the spigot itself may need to be cut away to open the flow path – the spigot is designed to be cut or punched open on first use.
6. Reattach the connector and drain hose securely, then test the machine on a drain cycle.

Cause 2: Obstruction Dislodged During Transit

Objects that have been sitting harmlessly in the base of the drum or sump hose for months – coins, bra wires, nails, screws, or small items of clothing – can be shaken loose during a move and travel into the pump, jamming the impeller. The machine may have drained perfectly before the move and fail to drain immediately after reconnection because the obstruction only entered the pump during transit.

Check the pump filter first, then inspect the impeller for obstructions. For step-by-step guidance see our guides on the washing machine pump filter and washing machine pump troubleshooting.

Cause 3: Connection or Wiring Disturbed During the Move

The electrical connector to the drain pump can vibrate loose during transit. With the machine unplugged, check that all wiring connectors to the pump are firmly seated and undamaged. Also check whether the pump itself or the sump hose has been physically displaced or kinked during the move.

Related Guides

Washing Machine Won’t Drain Water
The main drain fault guide covering all common causes, including how to drain a machine stuck full of water.


Pump Running But Still Not Draining
What to check when the pump is running, the filter is clear, but water still will not pump out.


5 Checks After Installing a Washing Machine
The checks to carry out after reconnecting a machine to confirm everything is correctly plumbed and connected.


Transporting a Washing Machine Safely
How to prepare a machine for transit including transit bolt requirements and what to check on arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions