Washing machine not draining
Nine times out of ten it is the filter, and the filter is behind that little flap you have never opened.
What it actually means
When the drum finishes with water still in it, the pump is either blocked or broken. Blocked is far more common: coins, hair grips, socks and gunk collect in the pump filter.
The filter lives behind a small flap at the bottom front of the machine, and cleaning it is a normal owner job that takes fifteen minutes and a towel.
Try this first, before you spend a penny
- 1
Drain the water first
Most filters have a small drain hose next to them. Shallow tray, towels, patience. Do not just unscrew the filter on a full drum.
- 2
Unscrew and clear the filter
Expect gunk, coins and possibly a small sock. Rinse it, check the pump impeller behind it spins freely.
- 3
Check the drain hose
Kinked or squashed hose behind the machine is the other classic. Also check the sink spigot if it drains under a sink.
- 4
Run a short empty cycle
If it drains, you just saved a call-out fee.
When it is a pro job
Filter clean, hose clear, still not draining: the pump itself has likely failed. Replacing it is a repair engineer job unless you are confident with appliance strip-downs.
Appliance repair engineer
Typical UK range for a drain pump replacement, parts and labour. Weigh it against the machine's age: on a ten year old budget machine, repair rarely beats replacement.
£90 to £190
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