How to drain washing machine
A washing machine stuck full of water needs to be drained before it can be repaired, moved, or replaced. This guide covers four methods in order of ease – start with Method 1 and work down the list only if needed. Read through all the options before starting so you know what to expect.
If the machine is empty but still won’t drain properly when running, the problem is elsewhere. See: washing machine won’t drain water.
A machine full of water presents an electrocution risk if the power is connected. Never lay a washing machine on its side when it has water inside – water can seep onto electrical components. Do not attempt any of these methods with hot water inside the machine.
Before You Start: Two Quick Checks
Has the machine gone completely dead?
If the machine stopped mid-cycle and is now completely unresponsive, it is worth checking whether a tripped fuse or circuit breaker is the cause. Getting the machine running again may allow it to pump the water out itself. See: washing machine won’t start.
Has the machine just been plumbed in or moved?
If the machine has just been connected to a u-bend for the first time – or moved to a new property – there is a common and simple cause. U-bend connections have a blanked-off spigot that must be removed before a washing machine drain hose is connected. If this blanking piece is in place, the machine cannot pump out at all. See: washing machine won’t drain after being moved.
Method 1: Use the Pump Filter Drain Tube
This is the easiest method and should always be tried first. Many modern washing machines have a small drain tube next to the pump filter, designed specifically for this purpose.
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Look for a small access flap or kick strip at the bottom front of the machine. Behind it you should find the pump filter – a circular cap that unscrews – and often a small drain tube nearby, sealed with a bung or clip.
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Place a shallow tray or several towels on the floor in front of the access panel. The tube releases water slowly but it will still spill.
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Pull out the drain tube, remove the bung, and lower the end into your tray. Water will drain slowly by gravity.
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Empty the tray as needed and repeat until the machine is empty.
There is likely a blockage – a sock, small garment, or debris preventing flow. You will need to move to a different method. Extreme patience may work eventually, but Method 2 or 4 is usually more practical.
If your machine has no drain tube, or it is proving too slow, proceed to Method 2. See our guide: where is the pump filter?
Method 2: Lower the Drain Hose Into a Bowl
This is the most reliable method but requires pulling the machine out first – which is difficult when it is heavy with water and laundry. See: best way to pull a washing machine out.
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Once the machine is pulled out enough to access the drain hose at the back, disconnect it from wherever it connects – either a standpipe (just pull it out) or the u-bend under the sink (unscrew the connection).
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Important: with the drain hose disconnected from the u-bend, anything poured down the sink will come straight out into the cupboard below. Block the u-bend spigot with a cloth, put the plug in the sink, or make sure nobody uses the sink until the hose is reconnected.
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Pull the drain hose out from the cupboard if needed. If the hole in the cupboard side is too small for the hose fitting to pass through, remove the plastic spigot piece from the end of the hose to allow it through.
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Lower the end of the drain hose into a washing up bowl or large bucket, below the level of the machine. In most cases the water will siphon out into the bowl.
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Empty the bowl repeatedly until the machine is drained.
If lowering the hose produces no water or only a slow trickle, a blockage inside the machine – typically a sock or small item of clothing stuck in the pump or hose – is preventing flow. You will need to use one of the alternative methods below to get the bulk of the water out first.
Method 3: Scoop or Siphon Water From the Drum
This method reduces the water level enough to make the machine lighter and easier to manoeuvre – even if it cannot drain it completely. It only works if the door can be opened while water is present.
Check the water level first. If water is above the lip of the drum, do not open the door – water will flood out immediately. Modern machines rarely have water this high, but check before proceeding.- Do not force the door open if it won’t release. Forcing it risks breaking the door interlock and creating a more expensive repair problem.
- If the door opens, scoop water out manually using a jug or bucket, or use a tube to siphon it out into a bowl. This can remove the water above the base of the drum.
- There is more water below the drum than you might expect – this method alone will not empty the machine completely. Use it to reduce the weight before attempting Method 2 or 4.
Method 4: Drain Directly Through the Pump Filter (Advanced)
This is a faster but messier alternative when the drain tube is absent or blocked and pulling the machine out is not practical. It works by tilting the machine back and partially opening the filter to allow water to pour directly into a bowl placed underneath.
Do not attempt it alone, on laminate or wooden floors, or with hot water inside the machine. Have plenty of towels ready before starting.
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Pull the machine forward enough to be able to tilt it backwards – ideally leaning against the kitchen worktop behind it. The second person holds the machine steady throughout.
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Place a large, sturdy washing up bowl directly underneath the pump filter access point. With the machine tilted, the front – where the filter is – will be raised slightly, and the bowl can sit under it.
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Very carefully and slowly begin to unscrew or open the filter cap – just a fraction at a time. Water will start to flow into the bowl. Control the flow by how far you open the filter.
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When the bowl is full, quickly tighten the filter back up. Empty the bowl. Repeat until the machine is drained.
Keep a firm grip on the filter cap and ensure the second person has a secure hold on the machine at all times.
If the Pump Filter Won’t Come Off
In some cases the pump filter appears jammed and will not unscrew. A common cause is a wire from an underwire bra, or another small object, that has become lodged in the filter mechanism and is physically preventing it from turning.
If this happens, the main sump hose leading into the pump may need to be removed to retrieve the obstruction from that side – which then frees the filter. This is not straightforward with a machine full of water, and in this situation booking an engineer is often the most practical option. See: book an appliance repair.
Need help diagnosing why it won’t drain?
Washing machine pumps – common faults – Won’t drain after being moved – Can’t find a blockage but still not draining – Too much foam in the machine
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way to drain a washing machine full of water?
The easiest method is using the small drain tube next to the pump filter, if your machine has one. It is located behind a small flap or kick strip at the bottom front of the machine. Remove the bung, lower the tube into a tray, and allow the water to drain out slowly. If there is no drain tube, or it is blocked, the next best method is to pull the machine out and lower the drain hose into a bowl to allow the water to siphon out.
Can I lay the washing machine on its side to drain the water?
No. Never lay a washing machine on its side when it contains water. Water can seep into electrical components inside the machine and cause serious damage or create a safety hazard. Always drain the water out completely before moving the machine.
Why won’t water come out of the drain hose when I lower it?
If no water siphons out when you lower the drain hose, there is almost certainly a blockage somewhere – typically a sock, small garment, or debris stuck in the pump or in the hose itself. You will need to try an alternative draining method, or retrieve the blockage from the pump filter or sump hose before the machine can drain. See: can’t find a blockage but still not draining.
The pump filter won’t unscrew – what do I do?
A jammed pump filter is often caused by an obstruction – most commonly a wire from an underwire bra – lodged inside the filter mechanism. If the filter will not turn, it is possible to access the pump from the main sump hose to retrieve the obstruction from the other side. This is not easy to do with the machine full of water. In this situation, booking an engineer is often the most practical solution.
The machine went dead mid-cycle and is now full of water – where do I start?
First check whether the machine can be restarted – a blown fuse, tripped circuit breaker, or door interlock fault can cause a mid-cycle shutdown. If the machine can be restarted, it should pump the water out itself. If it remains dead or won’t pump out, start with Method 1 in this guide. See also: washing machine won’t start.
13 Comments
Grouped into 7 comment threads.
3 replies Thank you very much for this advice Andy. In my case the machine had water sitting in it and would not spin. There was a kick cover on the front and then a black access port behind that, similar to one of your pics. I slightly raised the front of the machine on some timber and slid a tray in that caught the water in stages as I progressively unscrewed the port. I think a lot of water would go under the machine without the tray. The port screw was tight as the thread was partly gummed up with hard water inside so I used some pliers but was careful not to strain it as it is only plastic. Once the main port was able to be fully unscrewed it was basically obvious that hard water and fluff had blocked the pump impeller and port collector and stopped water pumping out. I removed enough stuff to fill about 2 egg cups. I gave it all a thorough clean, including the thread of the port and simply turned the machine back on and the F05 error code had self cancelled and all was well. Hotpoint - WMFG 1053 Thanks again, large family so washing machine failure is an immediate crisis.
1 reply Hi my old front loading Electra 1000 is stuck, full of water and a load of laundry, drum won't spin, door won't open. I've checked the fuse - it's OK, fanbelt seems to be okay. I've tried emptying the water but I can't seperate the end of the drain hose from the plastic connector that joins it to the sink drain. I undid the metal hose clamp but just can't pull the two ends apart - joined like this the hose end is too big to pull out through the hole in the sink unit so that I can lower it to ground level in order to drain the water. Is there an easy way the separate the two ends? I have some WD40 and some silicon spray - would that do the job? Once I get it emptied, from what I've read online, the next thing to check is the door lock? Thanks
Hi my old front loading Electra 1000 is stuck, full of water and a load of laundry, drum won’t spin, door won’t open. I’ve checked the fuse – it’s OK, fanbelt seems to be okay. I’ve tried emptying the water but I can’t seperate the end of the drain hose from the plastic connector that joins it to the sink drain. I undid the metal hose clamp but just can’t pull the two ends apart – joined like this the hose end is too big to pull out through the hole in the sink unit so that I can lower it to ground level in order to drain the water. Is there an easy way the separate the two ends? I have some WD40 and some silicon spray – would that do the job?
Once I get it emptied, from what I’ve read online, the next thing to check is the door lock?
Thanks
Likely replying to Ann
Hello Ann. If you can’t drain the washing machine through the drain hose my article lists several other ways to drain it although some can be messy. The cause of the washing machine going dead in the first place could be many things (including a door lock) so just changing the door lock is a gamble that could pay off or be a waste of time. All the possible causes of why the washing machine is dead are covered in one of the first links in this article under the heading, “If the washer went dead during the cycle”
1 reply Thanks so much for this advice Andy. My washer was stuck with loads òf water in it and I couldn't move it by myself so drained out using 2 of your methods. Didn't know what on earth to do until I found your article - so helpful! Thanks again Ange
Thanks so much for this advice Andy. My washer was stuck with loads òf water in it and I couldn’t move it by myself so drained out using 2 of your methods. Didn’t know what on earth to do until I found your article – so helpful! Thanks again Ange
1 reply thanks, i want to drain an washing ,machine and a dishwasher
0 replies Nice one Ann. Thanks for updating.
Nice one Ann. Thanks for updating.
0 replies Hi Re my email above. I did it! Used a squirt of the silicon spray, the prong of a fork to insert between the end of the hose and the plastic connector which allowed me to stretch the end of the hose a bit, and some muscle power. I was just about to give up and cut the hose when it came free. But thanks for showing how to empty the machine and get my washing out of it.
Hi
Re my email above. I did it! Used a squirt of the silicon spray, the prong of a fork to insert between the end of the hose and the plastic connector which allowed me to stretch the end of the hose a bit, and some muscle power. I was just about to give up and cut the hose when it came free. But thanks for showing how to empty the machine and get my washing out of it.
0 replies Thanks for the advice Andy :) I'd never have even thought to pull machine out and lift, to get a bowl under it. I did just that and all seems to be well
Thanks for the advice Andy :) I’d never have even thought to pull machine out and lift, to get a bowl under it. I did just that and all seems to be well
Thank you very much for this advice Andy. In my case the machine had water sitting in it and would not spin. There was a kick cover on the front and then a black access port behind that, similar to one of your pics. I slightly raised the front of the machine on some timber and slid a tray in that caught the water in stages as I progressively unscrewed the port. I think a lot of water would go under the machine without the tray. The port screw was tight as the thread was partly gummed up with hard water inside so I used some pliers but was careful not to strain it as it is only plastic. Once the main port was able to be fully unscrewed it was basically obvious that hard water and fluff had blocked the pump impeller and port collector and stopped water pumping out. I removed enough stuff to fill about 2 egg cups.
I gave it all a thorough clean, including the thread of the port and simply turned the machine back on and the F05 error code had self cancelled and all was well. Hotpoint – WMFG 1053 Thanks again, large family so washing machine failure is an immediate crisis.
Likely replying to Richard Pearson
Thanks Richard. Always good to hear about a successful fix.
Likely replying to Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)
Hello Andy
You say that it’s dangerous to put a washing machine on it’s side if it’s full of water. While it should be obvious that water would get into the electrics, would it be possible to just move the machine out and tip it slightly forward the open the door — My flat has a side door that opens out on to some stone steps leading to the garden —- and simply tip the machine forward and open the door?
Obviously this would break just about every Health and Safety rule in the book and require two fairly strong blokes to do this and the one at the bottom is going to get very wet feet if nothing else and the washing will have to be rewashed.
Equally obvious is the fact that as there is more water below the drum and this would need to come out also.
It would then be possible to lift the machine so that its front with the door open is facing the ground and then slightly lower the top so that any remaining water would also drain out through the door.
Your Sincerely. Steve.
Steve is the managing director of Bodge It and Scarper. ( Cowboy Mechanics to the Nobility and Gentry.
Likely replying to steve slater
Hello Steve. Yes, if none of the other methods of draining out the water work you could try to move the washing machine over to the back door. The first thing to try is to lower the drain hose outside so that it is several inches or more lower than the level of the pump. That can start off the siphoning very well. But as you point out, if the washing machine is full of water it may be very heavy. Not only might it be a job for 2 people, but a prime concern is that you do not damage the flooring. This is very easy to do with certain floorings. You might try putting a thick towel underneath the feet of the washing machine to help it slide if it cannot be lifted and carried.
If the water will not come out through the drain hose though then you could try opening the door but unless you are able to lean the washing machine completely over at 90° you’re not going to be able to drain out all of the water. A much easier option, is one that I mentioned in my article above under draining through the pump filter. That is the method that I have always used if the water wall not siphon out through the back of the drain hose. It will get most of the water out and is far less strenuous and difficult than trying to drag the washing machine over to the door.