Washing machine pump not working [Fixed]

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In this troubleshooting guide, I will tell you what might be the cause of your washing machine drain pump not working.

Other than that, I will also give you the solutions to help you fix your washer.

Table of Contents

Washing machine pump not working (and how to fix it)

Since there are several possible reasons for a washing machine not pumping water, we shall start by looking at the easiest to troubleshoot and work our way down.

The drain filter might be full of clogs

For the most part, this applies to front-load washers and a few select brands of top-loads such as some Whirlpool and Maytag washers.

Front load washers usually have a drain filter located at the bottom corner of the washer – behind a small rectangular or circular access door.

The main work of this drain filter is to trap foreign objects that might find their way into the drain pump.

When this filter gets full of clogs, it will end up preventing water from flowing to the drain pump.

And, this will result in the pump appearing not to work even if it’s fine.

How you can fix the problem

Locate the small access door at the front bottom corner of your washing machine. In most models, you can find it at the right bottom corner as shown:

Place a towel and a shallow dish beneath this access door to trap the water.
Firmly press the access door to open it. In some models, you will need to use a coin to open it.

Pull out the emergency drain hose, remove its cap, and let the water flow into the dish as shown:

Re-insert the cap back into the hose and secure the hose back into its position.
Remove the drain filter by rotating it anticlockwise:

Discard any foreign objects that might be trapped inside the filter.
Wipe the filter’s housing using a damp cloth/towel.
Reinsert the drain pump filter back into its housing and rotate it clockwise till it locks in place.

Close the access door.

The sump hose might be blocked or kinked

The sump hose is the part of the drain hose that connects the washer’s tub to the drain pump.

Here’s the thing: If this hose is kinked/blocked, it will restrict water flow thereby preventing the waste water from reaching the drain pump.

And, this might make it appear as if the drain pump is not pumping water out of the washer.

The drain pump might be clogged

One of the most common reasons for your washing machine drain pump not working is if it’s full of clogs.

Here’s the thing: It is not uncommon for small foreign objects such as socks and coins to find their way into the pump.

Of course, when this occurs, the items will start clogging the pump and eventually stop it from working.

The pump might be faulty

Now, if you have checked all the above and still can’t locate the source of the problem, chances are that the pump is to blame.

In this case, the best way to tell if the pump is faulty is by testing it – below are the steps to follow…

Washing machine drain pump test steps

Disassemble the washing machine to access the drain pump.
Carefully inspect all wire connections to the drain pump assembly.

Quick tip: To avoid electrocution, be sure to use dry hands.

If you note that any wires are broken, patch them to see if this fixes the issue. Also, try disconnecting and reconnecting the wire harness connectors.

You see, due to the constant vibration of the washer, it could be that one of the pump wire connectors had worked itself loose.

Using a multimeter, test the power going to the drain pump… If all is good, it should be around 110-120v AC. If it’s not, go to step 4. Otherwise, proceed to step 6.
If the power is below 110v AC and the wires in step 2 are good, measure the power coming from the control board (where the drain pump connector connects to).

Quick tip: Here, you might need to have your washer’s wiring diagram to know which pins to test. If you don’t have the tech sheet nearby, you use the washer’s model number to search for the tech sheet online.

If the power at the control board is not 110v AC, it means the control board is bad. In this case, your best bet will be to get a replacement board.

Washer brand	Control board replacement
Samsung	Buy it on Amazon
LG	Buy it on Amazon
GE	Buy it on Amazon
Maytag & Whirlpool	Buy it on Amazon
Electrolux & Frigidaire	Buy it on Amazon

On the other hand, if the power checks out, it’s a sign that the wires connecting the drain pump to the control board are bad.

In this case, your best bet will be to replace them.

Washing machine drain pump test steps – continued

Disconnect the wire connectors to the drain pump. Next, disconnect the drain pump from the drain hose and remove the pump.
Try to spin the impeller – does it spin easily?

If yes, it means that it has come free from the body and as a result, it is bad. In this case, it’s advisable to get a replacement drain pump.

Remove the screws that are holding the drain pump in place and proceed to separate the pump motor from the hose connection.
Using a multimeter, test for continuity between the two motor terminals. If it lacks continuity, it means that the pump motor is bad. In this case, your best bet will be to get a replacement drain pump.

To point you in the right direction, here’s a list of replacement pumps you can purchase depending on your washer brand:

Washer brand	Drain pump replacement
Samsung	Get it on Amazon
LG	Get it on Amazon
Bosch	Get it on Amazon
GE	Get it on Amazon
Maytag, Whirlpool & Amana	Get it on Amazon
Electrolux & Frigidaire	Get it on Amazon
Kenmore	Get it on Amazon

Recommended maintenance steps to keep your drain pump in good condition

Before putting any clothes inside the washer, be sure to always empty their pockets. The aim of this is to remove any small objects (such as coins) that might get lodged inside the drain pump.
Always make a point of cleaning the lint filter regularly. This is because as the filter gets clogged, it will slow drainage which ends up reducing the drain pump’s efficiency.
Regularly clean your washing machine. Most washers have a self-clean cycle that you should run once every 30 days. This cycle cleans the inside of the washer including the drain pump.

This goes a long way in keeping the pump healthy by avoiding the buildup of soap scum which might contribute to clogs getting trapped in the pump area.

Washing machine pump not working – parting words

Remember, if you are not sure how to disassemble your washing machine, you can make use of instructional videos on YouTube – search using your washer’s model number.

This is because different washer brands and models have different disassembling procedures.

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