Most washing machines have a pump filter to protect the pump from a build up of lint, and obstructions such as coins. It should be at the front of the washing machine at the bottom left or right, and should be obvious (a square or round flap) – but some are hidden.
A good washing machine filter should have retractable pipe at the side so that you can drain the water into a bowl. If your washing machine is stuck full of water you need to drain it away before removing the filter, check this article for help washing machine won’t drain water as there is a section titled, “how to drain the washing machine”.
How do I clean my pump filter – where is the pump filter?
If there’s nothing obvious, the best way to find out if your washing machine has a filter is to read the instruction book (download appliance instruction books).
However, if you don’t have an instruction book and there isn’t an obvious one at the front you can carefully remove the kick-strip at the front of the washing machine (if fitted) to see if there is a hidden filter. Don’t bother if it’s clearly just a thin kickstrip but most are built up to go flush with the front panel and can hide a filter.
Be careful because they are often flimsy and brittle and can break easily. If your instruction book doesn’t mention a pump filter you shouldn’t need to look for one.
The kick-strip usually clips into place with about 3 tabs but as I say, they are sometimes easily broken.
I usually place a small flat-bladed screwdriver between the top of the kick-strip and the casing and then gently lever downwards whilst pulling forward but try to work out how to remove it before levering away, it may be screwed in place or clipped at the bottom.
Examples of washing machines that sometimes had a totally hidden filter inside the sump hose (the hose from the tub to the pump) are Hotpoint, Indesit, Candy and Hoover.
I’m thinking of 10 years back and I don’t know if they still do it, but most washing machines do not hide the pump filter in the sump hose. Such filters were meant to be inaccessible to customers and a stupid place to put one because when it gets blocked, most people are forced to call out an engineer.
Cleaned filter now it leaks?
If you have found that after cleaning out the filter it is now leaking read this – Cleaned pump filter – now it leaks
Taking the pump filter out
The filter should unscrew anti-clockwise. Some unscrew until they come out and some just unscrew a quarter of a turn or so and allow the filter to be pulled out. Make sure you have at least one large towel to catch water and don’t take it out at all if the washing machine still has water in the drum (see next paragraph if it has).
Washing machine pump filter stuck
I’ve had cases where the filter appeared to be jammed and wouldn’t come out. It proved to be an under wire from a bra or another obstruction that was entangled in it preventing it from unscrewing. I had to remove the main sump hose leading into the pump and retrieve the obstruction from there, which then allowed me to get the filter out.
Forbes specialise in renting Bosch appliances so they know them inside out. They also rent other brands and many other products – more details at Forbes
Once the filter is out
If there is a clear obstruction such as a sock, or a build up of linen, then clean it all out and refit the filter. Make sure it’s replaced correctly and watch for leaks round the filter after the washing machine is up and running.
If you can’t see any blockage, or there is just the odd button in there that doesn’t account for stopping the pump from working, shine a torch into the pump and look for something that could have got through the filter and jammed the impeller. Use a small screwdriver to try and turn the impeller.
They are often slightly stiff and some turn a quarter of a turn and stop until you turn it again. However, it should be reasonably free. Watch out for rubber bands wrapped underneath the impeller making it too stiff for the pump to run.
You can try the washing machine on drain, or spin with the filter out and shine a torch inside to see if the impeller is turning or attempting to turn. Of course if you try to put any more water in, it will run straight out onto the floor.
No pump filter?
Some washing machines, especially older ones may not have a filter. If yours doesn’t have a pump filter, then any blockage will be in the sump hose, which is the black hose leading from the tub to the pump. If not in the sump hose, then it could be inside the pump itself, or even the drain hose. Typically, the impeller gets jammed by a small coin, a nail, screw, rubber band or bra wire.
This article is one of a series on pumps, check out my others here
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Tony, I’m not familiar with that particular model but it they normally either completely unscrew screw, or you turn it to the left and then pull it out. It’s possible something could be jamming it from inside if it won’t unscrew. There’s mention of this possibility and possible solutions in this article at the section, “Washing machine pump filter stuck?”
Hi, could my failure to ever have opened the pump filter cover be a possible cause for slight water leakage in my 7 year old washer? Thanks.
Opening it could be more likely to cause a leak than never disturbing it although they are designed to be disturbed. If the leak is coming from the pump filter it needs removing and cleaning and making sure the rubber seal is ok. If it’s not coming from the filter it could be coming from anywhere Finding a leak on washing machine
Hi,
I had an error message during my wash cycle indicating the machine (Gorentje 7kg) filter needed cleaning.
I attempted to clean the filter. I first drained the excess water using the small hose behind the filter door (next to the filter). Then attempted to remove the filter by turning it anti-clockwise. It turned for a bit and then it seemed enough but would not come free. I guess something was jammed inside. Unfortunately, the filter cap broke off in my attempts to remove the filter. Can you recommend how I could remove the filter in this case? Thanks. Cheers.
Hello Nicole, this is answered in this article under “Washing machine pump filter stuck?”
Hi
Can you help
My Bosh washing machine will not spin
I have drained it via the drainage hose I then unscrewed the pump cover and found a few hair clips but nothing else.
Put the machine on drain and wheel at back is turning.
What else could be the problem?.
Many Thanks
Hi my bush washing machine is 12months old and today it wouldn’t rinse the lifts kept flashing on the “start and door button” so my friend said I should check the filter. So much water leaked out and now the machine is working but the filter is leaking. Iv never opened the filter before until today have I broken it?
Hello Shree. It’s more likely that you just haven’t refitted it properly or maybe some grit or something is preventing a proper seal. It’s possible something could have been stuck inside which floated out when all the water came out. Just drain all the water away, place a large bath towel down and then take the filter off again. Carefully clean around the rubber seal and the actual opening of the filter compartment. Then carefully replace everything and make sure it is nice and tight. You should be able to open filter many times to clean it and then refit it without any leaks.
Hello Belinda. You need to work out if the problem is anything to do with not draining the water or not. If it isn’t spinning because it isn’t emptying the water you need to follow the link at the bottom of my article titled washing machine isn’t pumping out water. But if you’ve got all the water out and it still isn’t spinning follow this article – washing machine not spinning. Unfortunately there are multiple possible causes for both problems.
Hi, I’ve done all the above for my washing machine that wouldn’t drain. The filter hose bit at the front was clogged full of hair grips and tissue etc so insure that was the problem. All drained and cleaned now but I can’t get the hose back in! The rubber seal seems too thick to pop back in???? Help!!!!