If you have a washing machine that is not pumping out the water and stuck full of water – don’t start here. This is the final advice if you’ve tried all the advice on my article won’t drain water. However, if you can hear or see that the pump is running, but water still isn’t being pumped out and you can’t find a blockage – then continue with this article.
Pump has no blockages, filter is clear, and it runs but it still won't drain water
So if your situation is that no water is being pumped out, but the pump is apparently running, and you’ve checked the pump and filter for blockages and found nothing here are the possible explanations..
There is a blockage but you just haven't found it
Small objects may not be noticed. They could be underneath the impeller, wrapped round the impeller or stuck inside the pump chamber out of sight.
An elastic band or elastic from a hair bobble, a small piece of torn strap from a bra, a large piece of grit or stone, a small screw, a piece of plastic etc. items like these and other similar obstructions could all cause the impeller to slow down and not be capable of creating the vortex required to force out the water. Rubber bands and similar can wrap around the impeller restricting its movement.
Other items could get trapped underneath the impeller out of sight and also restrict its movement. In all these cases it should be detectable by trying to turn the impeller with a finger or screwdriver (with the machine unplugged of course!). It should move freely.
However, some impellers may feel like there's a small resistance which when overcome allows the impeller to jump 180 degrees round. Then another small resistance needs overcoming before it jumps round again. Without knowing how free an impeller should be it's hard to diagnose but if one is quite tight all the way round it is probably obstructed.
A button of a specific size could be small enough to get through the pump filter and even past the impeller, but then get jammed inside the pump outlet chamber where the drain hose attaches to. This would be invisible unless the drain hose is removed and you look into it. Another common blockage here that can remain undetected is a small piece of a bra wire that got through into the pump outlet chamber and has jammed inside. Subsequently most of the fluff and threads that would normally pump away can get snagged on it and build up into a blockage.
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There is a blockage in the drain hose or connection under the sink
A button of a specific size could be small enough to get past the pump and into the drain hose, but be too large to pass through the drain hose or through the plastic spout on the u-bend that the drain hose may be connected to.This could completely stop water from being pumped out, or it could even manifest as an intermittent fault.
I've seen several cases where a button is jammed halfway up inside a drain hose or in the opening of the plastic spout of the u-bend connection but it spins round and acts like a butterfly valve. When swivelled round one way water can get past, but then the water flow can swivel it round again so that it stops the water flow. To check for this you'd need to disconnect the drain hose from the u-bend and examine the end of the drain hose and inside the spout itself to check for blockages.
If necessary, the drain hose can also be taken off the machine to see if you can detect any obstruction. I've managed to clear some large obstructions by shoving the end of the drain hose onto the cold tap at the sink and turning on the water. Be careful though, you can easily end up spraying water everywhere. I use a large dishcloth over the hose and hold on tight. If there's no blockage though or it's something that's swivelled round and not closing off the flow you shouldn't feel much pressure.
The pump itself is faulty
If the impeller is broken it could be spinning on the shaft. In other words although the pump rotor is spinning it is not turning the impeller that forces the water out or due to slippage on the shaft it is not turning fast enough. The pump could sound like it's running but in fact it is not revolving at speed inside, however, I would expect it to sound different to normal.
It's even possible for the pump to be oscillating instead of revolving because of a fault causing it not to spin properly. You would have to use your imagination to find out if either of these are the case. It's relatively rare.
Watch out if your problem has only occurred after connecting the washing machine to new plumbing after moving house or after someone has put new plumbing in your current house and after connecting the washing machine it will not drain when it did before – Watch out for the blanking piece in new plumbing installations – particularly at new houses
This one is likely to be rare, but worth mentioning. I’ve recently had email contact from Michael, who had a strange fault where he could find no blockages, the pump was running, and it initially pumped a little water out then stopped. After some struggle and determined investigation he eventually discovered that one of the suspension springs on his Hotpoint Aquarius washing machine had broken (under the lid).
This had caused the main drum to drop, which squashed the sump hose (the main hose leading from the bottom of the tub to the pump) causing it to kink. When he replaced the spring, the tub was held in its proper position and released the pressure on the sump hose allowing it to pump out properly again.
Related pump troubleshooting advice:
- Washing machine won't empty water (From DIY repair help common washing machine problems)
- How do I clean my pump filter – where is the pump filter?
Buy new pump
If you need to buy a new pump try 4washerhelp spares which is run by the largest UK spares supplier in the UK – Washing machine pumps
jamiewatson says
Yes I faced the same case, Then I remove the spinner in the dryer.. There I found my tie, Even that was not blocked into the outcome water pipe. When dryer spins the tie rolls the pipe & stopped the drained water.
Neil says
My impeller keeps falling off. When I remove it and look at it, it’s not damaged at all, and fits back on the spindle perfectly well. So why does it keep falling off? Have I not fitted the filter cover on tight enough? Is that why it’s not staying in place?
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
Hi Neil. They used to screw on (left hand thread) but chances are they are just force fitted on now and if one has come off it’s unlikely to fit back. Pump impellers use to be replaceable but as far as I know they aren’t any more so you will probably need a new pump. Check my 4washerhelp appliance spare parts facility to see this is the case or not.
Neil says
Wow, thanks for the swift response. So frustrating as it would be such an easy fix if I could screw it back on. Thanks for the help!
Claire says
Hi. My washer wasn’t spining draining. After reading this advice, moping up a very wet floor from checking the filter. I found a hair band stuck round the impellor I was able to free it and test wash says it working. Thanks
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
Thanks Claire. Always good to get feedback from someone directly helped by one of my articles. The hair band round the pump impeller is a tricky one to diagnose sometimes as many people assume it needs a new pump.
Nils says
Hi. I read and tried everything in you article and my washer still drains slow enough to get the error code. I cleaned the lint trap, cleaned the drain, pulled the pump out and took it apart-pulling the impeller out and cleaning everything on the inside of the unit. I also drained the washer and set the unit to drain and spin causing the pump to turn on. With the drain plug pulled out I could see the impeller spinning around so I know it’s actually working. Should I throw the towel in and get a new pump or do you or anyone have any other suggestions? Thank you!
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
Nils: As far as I’m aware the impeller shouldn’t normally come off. They are no longer replaceable as spares like they used to be. In the 90s the pump had a screw shaft and impellers screwed on. These days they are normally press fitted on. If the impeller is loose on the shaft it won’t pump out properly. I can’t say for certain, but how sure are you that the impeller is securely on the shaft and won’t spin on the shaft in operation?
Nils says
Thanks for the response. The impeller and shaft with the magnetic part all came out of the unit as one piece and the impeller is press fitted on the shaft. It seemed to turn ok by hand. I ran the drain function with drain plug out and watched the impeller spinning although there wasn’t any water. Is there some sort of pressure loss where is just won’t force the water out? Looking online for a replacement part however the exact pump isn’t available, only ones that are supposed to fit.
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
Have you tried my recommended spares site?
If the pump is running and the impeller is spinning round the fault must be caused by a partial blockage or obstruction somewhere as described in my article. Obstructions can be anywhere before the pump, after it, or in the plumbing. Seeing if it will pump into a bucket will eliminate the plumbing though.
The only faults with pumps preventing pumping of water (other than obstructions inside) are that they won’t run at all, or if the impeller has broken or come loose on the shaft the pump sounds like it’s running but the impeller can’t pump water.
If you have totally eliminated all possible blockages or obstructions such as small coins or buttons stuck inside hoses which can’t be seen then of course it can only be the pump. I’ve put everything I can think of in the article.
If it won’t pump into a bucket (at about 3 or 4 foot height) then it eliminates any problem in the plumbing system and leave only the drain hose and sump hose. You may have to remove the drain hose and get someone to help so you can stretch it out and look right through it to see if anything is inside.
If it’s clear, take off the sump hose leading to the pump and check it, check the plastic ball (if fitted) isn’t sticky and sticking in the opening.
If everything is clear the only option left is to fit a new pump.