Although proper agitation and cleansing of loads is the main goal of any Whirlpool washer, just as important is its ability to drain all of the water in which your load was cleaned. If you notice that your Whirlpool washer is suddenly no longer draining, what is the cause?
A common reason for a Whirlpool washer not draining is a clogged drain hose or pump filter. Lint, small objects, or debris can block the water flow. To resolve this, turn off and unplug the washer, locate the drain hose and pump filter (usually at the front lower part of the washer), and clear any blockages found.
Another possible issue is a malfunctioning lid switch. The washer won’t drain if the lid switch isn’t working properly, as it’s a safety feature. Test the switch by pressing it manually; if it doesn’t click or feels loose, it may need to be replaced. Replacing the lid switch is a more technical task and may require professional assistance.
A faulty drain pump can also prevent your Whirlpool washer from draining. If the pump is damaged or has a burnt-out motor, it won’t be able to expel water. You can usually hear a humming sound if the pump is trying to work but failing. Replacing the drain pump is a more advanced repair and might necessitate calling a technician.
Being able to wash items without having to think twice is a luxury many forget is such, that is until their washer is suddenly not working as it should. At the end of every cycle, your Whirlpool washer should drain all of the water from its drum, which allows the clothes to be spun so they are made rid of any excess water and allows them to dry properly after the washing process. Continue reading to figure out why your Whirlpool washer won’t drain.
Whirlpool Washer Won’t Drain
If you were to open your Whirlpool washer or look through the clear lid or door mid-cycle, you would notice that your laundry items are submerged in a large amount of water. This water, along with your detergent, is working with agitation motions to help clean your clothes of all the dirt and grime they collect throughout the day. Once this process is complete, your washer should immediately drain the dirty water, but, what if it doesn’t?
If your Whirlpool washer won’t drain, a clogged drain pump could be the issue. Small items fall out of clothing and thus, end up in the drain, which can cause your washer to hold water. You can remove the drain pump of your washing machine to ensure it is not obstructed by any objects.
Once you have removed the drain pump to your Whirlpool washer, be sure to carefully remove any objects that are obstructing the pump. If you notice that there is nothing obstructing the pump, but that the drain looks very worn, it may be that the drain pump simply needs to be replaced. A newer pump will function better and will allow your washer to drain at the end of the cycle.
Whirlpool Washer Won’t Drain Completely
When your washer is in the middle of the cycle, depending on the load size that you have set for that particular load, the washer will either be slightly, midway, or completely filled with water. Regardless, the water should be covering the tops of your items so that every piece is completely submerged in water. No matter the size of the load though, the water should drain completely out without a trace left, not only partially.
If your Whirlpool washer won’t drain completely, check to see if your washer’s drain hose is kinked or bent. Similar to the drain pump, the drain hose can also become obstructed with small items, which can cause your washer to drain only partially rather than all of the way.
Once you have reached your drain hose, check for kinks or bends in the actual hose, and if you do see them, make sure that neither of these has caused wearing or tears within the hose itself. Also be sure that the hose is no higher than 96 inches off of the floor, as if the drain hose is placed too high, it will cause water to remain in the drum because gravity cannot work well enough to drain the washer properly.
Whirlpool Washer Drain Clog Detected
The great part of the technology behind many Whirlpool washers is that they can often indicate what is wrong with the machine without you ever having to investigate on your own. One of these features is a Whirlpool’s ability to notify you when a drain clog is detected. If you get this message, you may be wondering if a repairman is needed, but take a look below to see how to potentially resolve this problem without having to call in the professionals.
If your Whirlpool washer sensing light indicates that a drain clog is detected, unplug the unit and lift it from the front, placing two-by-four blocks under each foot. You will then unscrew three screws at the bottom of the panel, remove it, and the drain pump will be in front of you.
Once you see the drain pump right in the middle of the machine, use a Phillips screwdriver to take off the knob on the drain pump while holding a bucket beneath it to catch any excess water. You will then turn the knob over to expose the filter on the back. Remove any debris and replace the drain filter back onto the pump, screw on the cover, take away the blocks, and plug it back in.
How to Fix Whirlpool Washer Not Draining
If you notice that your Whirlpool washer is no longer draining, not only are you left with wet clothes, but you are also left with the job of figuring out how to fix it if you don’t want to immediately have a repairman out. Although fixing your own appliances may be daunting, it is completely possible with the right tools and the right instructions. Therefore, take a look below to find out how to fix a Whirlpool washer that is not draining.
To fix a Whirlpool washer that is not draining, it may be that the lid switch assembly is not working properly. Unplug the washer and unscrew the two screws that hold the control panel in place. Hinge the control panel up and locate the case with three wires, then unplug it. Using an ohmmeter, check for continuity.
If you do not have continuity between the two outside wires on the female plug end, the lid switch is bad and needs to be replaced. To do this, remove the two clips on each side of the case and remove the wires from the case. You will then install a new lid switch and attach the wires to it, which should cause the switch to begin working and will allow your washer to drain.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on June 7, 2021.
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What to Do if Whirlpool Washer Won’t Drain
It can be difficult to decide how to approach a problem with any appliance, but when it comes to handing washers, this can be especially daunting as one wrong move could leave you with water at your feet, rather than water in the drum. It is important to note though that there are ways owners can work on their washers without needing the assistance of a professional, but you must know what to do first before tackling the challenge.
If your Whirlpool washer won’t drain, take some time to inspect if the drain pump is clogged, if the drain hose is kinked, or if the lid switch assembly needs to be replaced. To tackle each of these, read through the previous sections to find a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot these problems.
A lesser likely problem, but sometimes the culprit, is a coin trap that is too full within your washer. Located at the lower front of the washer, some Whirlpool washer models have a small access door that is easily opened and cleaned. If this is the case for you, open the access door and remove any items that you find within the coin trap to see if draining happens more easily and more completely.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on June 7, 2021.