It doesn’t happen too often, but you shouldn’t be surprised if you occasionally open the door of your washing machine and see that your clothes are submerged in water. When your Whirlpool washer is not draining, it means that a certain part of the machine became defective. Thankfully, it’s not that difficult to do a bit of investigating and find out what is causing the problem.
6 Reasons Your Whirlpool Washer won’t Drain
1. Drain Hose Blocked Or Kinked
Sometimes, all you’ll need to do to get the washer working normally again is clean the drain hose. This is something that most people forget to do on a regular basis, which is why lint and debris may build up in the hose. There’s also a chance that the hose has kinks or twists that prevent water from flowing freely. If you notice any kinks, you should straighten the drain hose.
Cleaning the Drain Hose
You will need a drain snake to clean the drain hose in your washer. This is an incredibly helpful tool that you should use at least once a month to remove any debris in the drain hose. Before you start cleaning the hose, make sure that it’s not connected to the washing machine. On some Whirlpool washers, you’ll have to remove the rear panel of the machine before you can remove the hose.
2. Drain Pump Filter Blocked
Sometimes, all you need to do to get the washer working properly again is clean the drain pump filter. It’s common for debris to clog up the filter, which is why you should clean it from time to time.
How to Clean a Drain Pump Filter
The process of cleaning a drain pump filter is incredibly simple. Start by first locating the filter. In most washing machines, it is located in the bottom right corner. Remove it from the machine and wipe the inside of the filter with a cloth. You can also soak it in water for 10-15 minutes after wiping it.
3. Drain Pump Failed
The drain pump in your Whirlpool washer might be preventing the machine from draining. The best way to be sure whether this component is defective is to check for signs of visible damage.
How to Inspect a Defective Drain Pump
You can inspect a defective drain pump in a few easy steps. Here’s how to do it.
- Your first step should be to unplug the appliance.
- Remove the back panel if you have a top-loading machine. In case you have a front-loading machine, remove the front panel.
- Remove both the drain hose and the belt that connects the pump to the motor.
- You will now be able to reach the drain outlet, in which the pump’s impellers are found.
- Touch the impellers with your hand to determine whether they are broken.
- If they are broken, you should replace the drain pump.
You can find out how to replace the drain pump in the video below.
4. Front-Loading Door Lock Failure
Like any component in your Whirlpool washer, a door lock can begin to malfunction at any time. This is a common problem for people who have front-loading washing machines. The worst thing about it is that the door lock failure can occur mid-cycle and even prevent your washer from draining. To avoid your clothes getting soaked in water for hours or even days, you can try different ways to bypass the lock.
How to Bypass Door Lock on Whirlpool Washer
The first method that you should try is to unplug the washing machine and wait for five minutes before trying to open the door. Some washing machines have a locking system that automatically undoes the latch if the machine doesn’t get any power in five minutes. Another thing that you can do is gently strike the door handle with your open hand. This might help you loosen the lock and open the door.
Finally, you can try to cut a wire in the safety circuit to release the door lock. However, this is something that requires expertise in fixing appliances and should be left to professional repair technicians.
Fix your problem with the sensing mode by reading Whirlpool Washer Stuck on Sensing | Simple Fix
5. Top-Loading Lid Switch Failure
Top-loading washing machines don’t run when the lid on them is open. If it did, you could potentially get injured while using it. The lid switch is the component that guarantees that you won’t be able to start a wash cycle with the lid open. However, this safety mechanism may become defective over time.
Replacing a Faulty Lid Switch
In case you’re unable to open the lid even after the wash cycle is finished or you’re able to start a wash cycle with the lid open, you will have to replace the lid switch. You can do this in five simple steps.
- The first step is to unplug your washer and remove the screws and bolts that secure the top lid.
- Remove the top lid and look for a small plastic box, which represents the lid switch.
- Once you find the lid switch, you will need to remove the screws that secure it.
- Once that step is finished, disconnect the wires that are connected to the component.
- Put the replacement lid switch in the same place the original part was, connect it to the appropriate wires, and reassemble the washer.
6. Defective Motor
In case you inspected all of the above-mentioned components and all of them are in good shape, the reason your washer is not draining is most likely due to a defective motor. However, you should test it for continuity to ensure it’s really causing the issue.
Testing a Defective Motor
To test a defective motor, you’ll need to grab a screwdriver and a multimeter. It’s also recommended that you put on insulated work gloves. Here’s how you can go about testing a broken motor.
- Start by unplugging your washing machine and removing its rear panel by unscrewing the screws that secure it.
- Once you remove the panel, you’ll instantly notice the motor. You will need to disconnect its wires and remove them from the washer.
- Grab your multimeter and set it to the resistance setting.
- Connect the multimeter’s leads to the terminals of the motor.
- If you get a reading of a really high number or infinity, you’ll need to replace the motor.
If you’d like to replace the drive motor on a Whirlpool washer yourself, check out the video below to learn how to do it.
Washer Not Draining Water or Spinning
If your Whirlpool washing machine is not spinning and draining, you can narrow the problem down to a few components. The combination of these two issues is most likely caused by a defective door lock or lid switch. The component that’s malfunctioning will depend on the type of washer you have. In case you have a top-loading machine, check the lid switch. If you have a front-loading washing machine, you should check the door lock.
Another component that might be causing this problem is the drive motor. If the motor is causing the issue, you’ll likely hear strange noises coming from the washer when you turn it on.
Washer Not Draining and Leaking Water
What if your washer is not draining and leaking water? In this situation, the problem lies either with the drain hose or the drain pump. You should check both components for any visible signs of damage. If you see cracks, punctures, or tears, you should replace the components.
You may also be interested in 8 Reasons Your Washer Is Not Filling with Water | Fix It
Whirlpool Washer Not Draining – SOLVED
When you find your Whirlpool washer not draining, the first thing that you should do is drain the water manually. As soon as you do that, you can unplug the machine and start looking at different components to figure out exactly what went wrong. Start with inspecting the pump filter and drain hose to see if there is any buildup of debris. If there isn’t, you should look at components like door locks, lid switches, and the washer motor.
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.
