When a washer finishes a cycle with water still in the drum, the problem is nearly always somewhere in the drain path or a safety switch that stops the spin — both common, affordable repairs.
Why your washer will not drain
- Clogged drain pump or filter — socks, coins and lint block the pump; front-loaders have a filter that clogs over time.
- Blocked or kinked drain hose — restricts or stops the water from leaving.
- Failed door lock or lid switch — the machine will not drain or spin unless it confirms the door is secure.
- Worn drain pump — the pump motor itself fails and no longer moves water.
What you can safely check first
- Unplug the washer, then check the drain hose for kinks and make sure it is not pushed too far down the standpipe.
- On a front-loader, check the pump filter behind the small access panel at the bottom (have a towel ready).
When to call a technician
If the hose and filter are clear, the fault is usually the pump or the door lock. Our washer repair technicians diagnose which it is and replace the genuine part, so you are not left bailing out the drum.
Other washer problems
Washer Won't Drain — FAQs
Why is there standing water in my washer?
The drain path is blocked or the pump is not running — most often a clogged pump/filter, a kinked hose, or a failed door lock that prevents the drain-and-spin step.
Can I run a washer that won't drain?
Avoid it — running it risks overflowing and can strain the pump. Unplug it, check the hose and filter, and if that does not resolve it, have it looked at.