LG Washer Won’t Drain? Here’s What to Do

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Appliance Express
April 5, 2021
Washer Repair

If your LG washer isn’t draining after you run a wash cycle, do not panic. While this is a frustrating problem, it can often be very simple to fix.

Read on to find out what usually causes a washer to stop draining and find out what you can do to fix the problem.

The following models of LG washer are covered by this guide:

RLM20K

WD-10271BD

WD-11275BD

WD-13276BDM

WD-90282BD

WM2233HW

WM2277HS

WM2301HR

WM2301HW

WM2455HG

WM2455HW

WM2455HW/00

WM2487HRMA/00

WM2487HWMA/00

WM2496HSM

WM2496HWM/00

WM2688HNM

WM2688HWMA/00

WM3070HWA

WM3470HVA

WM3470HWA

Check the Door Lock Switch

Washers will not run if the door or lid is not closed. This is achieved by a failsafe switch that will not let the cycle run until the door locks and it is engaged.

If the door lock assembly has become loose, it can fail to sense when the door or lid is closed. This causes the draining function to stop.

If this is the problem, you will most likely see the error code “OE” on your digital display. Press the door or lid firmly shut to see if this kickstarts the draining process.

If this is your problem, you should call a professional appliance repair technician to conduct the repair.

Rebalance the Load

Another simple problem that can stop the washer from draining is an unbalanced load. Your digital display should show the error code “UE.”

Try rebalancing the load by shifting items around and adding a few extra items to see if this fixes the problem.

Drain Your Washer Manually

If you can’t get the washer to drain using the steps above, you will have to manually drain the remaining wash water to complete the rest of the methods. The process is different for top-loading and front-loading models.

For front-loaders: 

  1. Turn off the faucet supplying your washer.
  2. Switch off the power at the wall, or unplug the washer.
  3. Open the access panel. This is located on the front of your washer at the bottom left corner.
  4. Place a shallow pan next to the access panel, and pull the drain hose out from its clip so that it will drain into the pan.
  5. Take the plug out of the drain hose, and let it drain completely into the pan.

To manually drain a top-loader, you will need to use the washer’s main drain hose. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Turn off the faucet supplying your washer.
  2. Switch off the power at the wall, or unplug the washer.
  3. Pull your washer out from the wall so you can access the back.
  4. Locate the gray drain hose connecting the washer to the drain pipe in the wall.
  5. Place towels and a bucket underneath the point where the drain hose connects to the drain pipe.
  6. Disconnect the drain hose from the drain pipe. If there is a clamp holding it in place, you may need to use pliers or a Phillips-head screwdriver to loosen this first.
  7. Let the water flow into the bucket until all the water has drained.
  8. Reconnect the drain hose, put your washer back in its place, and turn the water and power back on.

Clean the Drain Filter

The drain filter collects threads, lint, and small objects from the wash water as it drains out of the tub after a wash. It needs to be cleaned out regularly, or it can become blocked. When this happens, the washer may not be able to drain.

If you haven’t cleaned the drain filter for a few months or longer, it is likely to be the problem. The filter is located in a different place on front- and top-loaders.

Here’s how to find it:

  • Before cleaning the filter, turn off the power and water to the washer.
  • For top-loaders, pull the washer out from the wall, and locate the filter at the bottom of the rear panel just right of center.
  • For front-loaders, open the access panel on the front of the washer in the lower left corner.

Remove the filter by firmly twisting it counterclockwise and unscrewing it. Clear any small objects from inside the filter and the filter casing before cleaning the filter thoroughly with hot water and a soft brush. Replace the filter by screwing it in clockwise until it is secure.

Inspect the Drainage Hose

The drainage hose itself can become blocked by foreign objects or lint that make it past the drain filter. It can also become kinked. In either case, the washer will not drain.

Follow these steps to check the drain hose and remove any blockages:

  1. Turn off the water supply to the washer, and unplug the power at the wall.
  2. Pull the washer out of its place so you can access the back.
  3. Remove the drainage hose, being careful to drain any remaining wash water into a bucket.
  4. Check for kinks along the length of the hose, and remove them by untwisting.
  5. Feel along the length of the drain hose for foreign objects that may have become stuck inside. Remove these with a long, thin object or by squeezing them along the length of the tube to the end.
  6. Wash the drain hose out with hot water and detergent; then rinse it out with clean water.
  7. Reattach the drain hose to the washer and the drain pipe.
  8. Replace your washer and turn the power and water back on.

Check That the Drain Pump Is Working

If there is nothing that is blocking the drainage system, the problem might be with the pump itself. Without the power of the pump, the drainage system cannot function.

Replacing the drain pump is a job best left to a professional appliance repair technician, but you can do some investigating to find out whether you need to hire one.

Check for the following signs of a faulty drain pump:

  • There is no noise from the pump when you run a wash cycle.
  • There is a noise, but it is a loud, unusual sucking or grinding sound.
  • There is no problem draining the washer manually and no obstructions in the drain hose or filter.
  • Remove the drain filter and use your fingers to turn the impeller. It should turn freely.
  • There are broken pieces of plastic inside the drain filter.

By trying the solutions above, you should be able to solve the problem of your LG washer not draining. However, sometimes the problem will have another cause. If you try the solutions above and your washer still won’t drain, contact a professional appliance repair technician to diagnose and fix the problem.

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