Is your Samsung washer not draining? If you open your washing machine and see that your clothes are completely soaked in water, it likely means that one of the components in the machine began malfunctioning. To fix the problem, you’ll have to first identify exactly which component is faulty. In this article, you’ll learn which components to check in order to figure out why your washer stopped draining.
7 Reasons Your Samsung Washer Won’t Drain
We can focus on seven areas of diagnosis, to cover 99% of the reasons why Samsung washers have problems fully draining, you may have a 5C error code on the control panel of your washer to indicate a draining problem. I have listed each troubleshooting guide in the order that they most commonly occur. So be sure to start on point 1 below and work your way down the list in order.
1. Washing Machine Isn’t Level
There might be an incredibly simple solution to ensuring that your Samsung washer continues draining in the future. All you might need to do is make sure that your machine is level. If you are able to rock the washer back and forth, it means that it’s not level and should be adjusted so that all four of its feet are on the ground.
2. Drain Hose Clogged Or Kinked
After you make sure that your washer is level, your next step should be to check the drain hose. Start by looking at whether it has any kinks or twists somewhere. If it doesn’t, you should see whether it is blocked. It’s normal for lint and debris to gradually build up in the drain hose, which could be why your washer is not draining.
Unblock the Drain Hose
To remove the lint and debris stuck in the drain hose, you’ll have to first disconnect the hose from the machine. Some models will require you to remove the rear panel to remove the hose. You should use a drain snake to unblock the drain hose. If you don’t have a drain snake, you should buy one and use it every once in a while to prevent the buildup of lint and debris in this vital washer component.
3. Drain Pump Filter Clogged
Once you’re finished checking the drain hose for kinks and debris buildup, your next step should be to examine the drain pump filter. It’s normal to forget small items in pockets, including paper money and receipts. These items may get stuck in the pump filter and block it.
How to Clean the Pump Filter
Cleaning the pump filter in your Samsung washer is incredibly simple. All you’ll have to do is wipe the filter with a cloth to remove any items that are stuck inside it. Depending on the model of your washing machine, you’ll be able to locate the pump filter either in the front or the back of the machine
4. Drain Pump Failure
A common reason why your washer stopped draining is that the drain pump became defective. Check to see whether there is any visible damage on the pump and replace the component if there is.
How to Inspect a Drain Pump
You will be able to find the drain pump in the back of the appliance if you have a top-loading washer. In case you have a front-loading washer, you’ll be able to access the pump below the door of the machine. You’ll have to remove the appropriate panel to reach it. Make sure you also disconnect the belt that connects the pump to the drive motor. Touch the impellers of the drain pump with your hands to see if they are broken. In case they are, you should order a replacement part.
5. Door Lock Failure – Front-Loading
If you have a front-loading machine, one of the more common problems you can encounter is that you can’t open the washing machine door. If the door lock is broken on your washer, you’ll likely see a high water level in the machine and won’t be able to reach your clothes. Thankfully, there are ways to bypass the door lock.
Opening a Locked Washing Machine Door
The best way to open a locked washing machine door is to find the safety circuit and cut the right wire. You will need to find the instruction manual to find out where this wire is because the location varies heavily depending on the model of your washing machine. However, this can void your warranty and should be used only as a last resort.
You can also try to unplug the washer and wait for at least five minutes to see whether the lock will undo the latch. You can also gently bang on the handle with your hand to loosen the lock.
Although these methods may help you open a locked washing machine door, you will still have to replace the door lock afterward. If you want to replace it yourself, you can check out how to do it in the video below.
6. Lid Switch Failure – Top-Loading
The lid switch in a top-loading washing machine is essentially a safety mechanism. When the lid is closed, the washer won’t spin. This protects you from potentially getting harmed while using a top-loading washer.
How to Replace a Broken Lid Switch
In case the lid switch on your top-loading washing machine is broken, you will need to replace it. Here’s how you can do it.
- Unplug the washer and remove the screws and bolts securing the top of the machine.
- Remove the top of the washer and you’ll notice a small plastic box. This is the lid switch.
- You will have to remove the screws that secure the lid switch and disconnect its wires.
- All you have to do now is install the new component, connect it to the wires, secure it with screws and reassemble your washer.
7. Broken Motor
There’s a chance your Samsung washer won’t drain due to a broken motor. To be sure that the motor is causing the problem, you’ll need to test it for continuity with a multimeter.
How to Test a Broken Motor
You should put on a pair of insulated work gloves and grab a screwdriver along with a multimeter if you’re looking to test a broken motor. You’ll see the motor once you remove the rear panel of the washing machine. Set the multimeter to the lowest resistance setting and connect its leads to the terminals of the motor. If you get a reading of 0, it means that the motor is fine. Any other reading suggests that the motor should be replaced.
In case you’re looking for more information on how to test a broken motor with a multimeter, you should check out the video below.
Samsung Washer Not Draining – Solved
By following these 7 simple steps you should have been able to establish the reason your washing machine would not drain fully. If you are not confident in working with electrical appliances, I strongly recommend you call in a professional appliance technician to help repair your machine.
Andy has over 8 years of experience working on residential household appliances, performing diagnostics, and repairs across most major brands. He graduated from the Denver Institute of Technology, is NASTeC certified, and has worked for Mr. Appliance. Andy has contributed to features on major publications including Better Home & Gardens, Family Handyman, and Yahoo.com.
