If the GE Profile PFW950 will not drain or drains slowly, GE's own article and manual give the checks. Wait a few minutes: pauses of up to 3 minutes are normal. Make sure the drain hose is not kinked or clogged and that the washer is not trying to drain higher than 8 feet, the maximum height most full-size GE washers will pump. Test the household drain by removing the hose and pouring a quart of water into the standpipe; if it will not drain, call a plumber. Clean the pump filter, which catches small items from pockets. Check the load is balanced, and that the dry weight is under 16 lb. A tub full of water that only hums needs service.
Differential
Likely causes of “GE PFW950 front-load washer will not drain or stops with water inside”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A clogged pump filter
What separates it The draining is slow or absent and there is standing water because the pump filter is clogged
How to confirm Clean the pump filter, and then run a drain and spin
- 2
A kinked or improperly connected drain hose
What separates it Water stays in the drum because the drain hose is kinked or improperly connected
How to confirm Straighten the hose and make sure the washer is not sitting on it
- 3
A clogged household drain
What separates it Water backs up at the standpipe because the household drain is clogged
How to confirm Pour a quart of water into the standpipe; call a plumber if it will not drain
- 4
A drain hose pushed too far down the drain
What separates it Water siphons back into the washer because the drain hose is pushed too far down the drain
How to confirm No more than 7 in in the pipe with an air gap
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the washer pauses or hums with a full tub
- How high the drain is above the floor
- What came out of the pump filter
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedWait a few minutes
ReversibleWait a few minutes, since pauses of up to 3 minutes are normal on many models.
Check the hose and plumbing
ReversibleNot kinked or clogged; not draining above 8 ft; test the standpipe with a quart of water.
Clean the pump filter, and then run a drain and spin
ReversibleSmall tool or coin on the access door, pour spout down, turn counterclockwise slowly, clean and refit clockwise.
Rebalance the load
ReversibleRebalance the load, by redistributing the clothing, and increasing the load size if it is small.
Check the hose depth
ReversibleCheck the hose depth, which should be no more than 7 in, and leave an air gap.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Pump filter steps in GE's words
- Open the access door with a small flathead screwdriver or coin, place a shallow pan or dish under the pump access door and towels on the floor, pull down the pour spout, turn the pump filter counterclockwise and remove it slowly while controlling the water, clean the debris from the filter, replace it and turn it clockwise, tighten securely, flip up the pour spout and close the access door by hooking the bottom tabs first.
- Household drain test
- GE suggests a simple test that separates a washer fault from a plumbing one: disconnect the drain hose from the standpipe and pour a quart of water into the standpipe or drain. If the water will not go down, the blockage is in the house plumbing and a plumber is recommended. If it drains freely, the problem is the washer, the hose or the pump filter.
- Parts for this problem on the PFW950 (RepairClinic, 2026-09-20)
- drain pump assembly with housing and coin trap, part number WH11X39237, at $98.82; pump filter with seal, part number WH23X38617, at $19.05; internal drain hose to air chamber clamp, part number WH01X26320, at $8.80.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models GFW850, GFW655, GFW650, GFW550, GFW510, PFQ97, GTW840, GTW725, GTW720, GTW585, GTW525, GTW465, GTW335, GNW128.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the tub is full of water and only hums, schedule GE service
- !If the household drain will not take a quart of water, call a plumber
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
GE's own support articles for front-load washers, each.
GE's own support articles for these symptoms.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-20.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why is my GE Profile washer not draining?+
A clogged pump filter, a kinked hose, a clogged household drain or an out-of-balance load.
How high can it pump?+
Most full-size GE washers pump up to 8 feet from the floor.
Where is the pump filter?+
Behind the small access door at the front bottom; GE's manual has step-by-step instructions.
How much water is in the filter area?+
About a cup when the filter is removed.
Is a 3 minute pause normal?+
Yes, a pause of 3 minutes is normal on many models.
What if the tub is full and humming?+
Schedule service, if the tub is full and the washer hums without draining.