Washer drain pump moves used water through the drain hose. Related symptoms include standing water, long-drain codes, humming or silence. Those symptoms do not prove the component failed: prove the household drain, hose and customer-accessible filter first. Check the hose for kinks and see whether the household drain takes water.
What this covers
- washing machines
What it does not cover
Differential
Likely causes of “Washer drain pump”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The drain hose is kinked or the household drain is blocked
What separates it The washer leaves standing water and a drain code shows, and the hose is bent or the standpipe is slow.
How to confirm Check the hose for kinks and see whether the household drain takes water.
- 2
The customer-accessible filter is clogged
What separates it The washer drains slowly or not at all, and coins, lint or a sock fill the filter.
How to confirm Open the drain filter over a tray as the manual describes and clear it.
- 3
An object is jammed in the pump
What separates it The pump hums but does not move water, with a rattle at times.
How to confirm Once the filter is clear, look for an object visible in the pump housing.
- 4
The pump motor has failed
What separates it There is no pump sound at all during a drain stage and the filter and hose are clear.
How to confirm This is the conclusion once the earlier checks are ruled out and it needs service.
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether water remains in the drum, the drain code and the sounds during drain.
- The state of the drain hose and the filter.
- Whether the household drain runs freely.
Try in this order
0 of 2 completedTest before you replace
ReversibleProve the household drain, hose and customer-accessible filter first.
Weigh the repair
ReversibleReplacement difficulty for the washer drain pump is moderate to high and model-specific.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Disconnect power and expect water when opening the filter; stop for a burning smell, a hot pump or water reaching wiring.
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I know whether the drain pump has failed?+
Clear the filter and hose first. If the pump makes no sound during a drain stage, or hums without moving water with a clear path, the pump is the likely cause.
What does the washer drain pump do?+
It removes water at the end of wash and spin cycles.
What are the signs?+
Water left in the drum, noises or drain codes.
What to check first?+
The pump filter for coins and lint.
How do I clean a washer drain pump filter?+
Switch the washer off, put a shallow tray and towels under the small access door at the bottom front, release the filter slowly to let the water out, remove it, clear lint, coins and hair, and screw it back in firmly.
What does a humming pump with no draining mean?+
The pump may be blocked, or the impeller may be jammed. Clear the filter and the hose; if it still hums, the pump needs replacing.
Can a kinked drain hose make the pump look faulty?+
Yes. A kinked or blocked hose or standpipe stops water leaving even when the pump runs, so check the hose first.
How can I tell the pump from the filter problem?+
If the filter is clear, the hose is open and the pump is silent or hums without moving water, the pump motor is the likely fault.