The cycle finishes, you open the lid, and the clothes are sitting in a tub of water, soaked and heavy. A washer that will not spin or drain is one of the most common laundry problems, and the good news is that the two faults are usually connected and often come down to one cheap, clogged part. Here is what causes it, what you can check yourself, what a repair costs, and when to call a technician.
Quick answer: A washer that will not drain is almost always a clogged drain pump filter, a blocked or kinked drain hose, or a jammed pump, often from a sock or coin. A washer that will not spin is usually a failed lid switch or door lock, a broken drive belt, an unbalanced load, or simply water still in the tub, because most washers refuse to spin until they finish draining. Clear the pump filter first, since that one fix often solves both. In Michigan you can reach a same-day technician at (586) 837-0811.
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Why your washer will not drain
- A clogged drain pump filter. Most washers have a filter, often called a coin trap, at the front bottom behind a small door. Socks, coins, and lint collect there and block the water. This is the most common cause and the easiest to clear.
- A blocked or kinked drain hose. The hose at the back can kink or clog, so water has nowhere to go.
- A jammed or failed drain pump. A small item can lodge in the pump, or the pump motor itself can fail.
Why your washer will not spin
- Water still in the tub. This is the big one. Most washers will not spin until they have drained, so a drain fault shows up as a no-spin problem too.
- A failed lid switch or door lock. The washer will not spin unless it knows the lid or door is shut. A worn switch stops the spin cycle.
- A broken drive belt. On belt-driven washers, a snapped or slipping belt lets the drum sit still while the motor runs.
- An unbalanced load. A heavy, bunched load throws the drum off balance and the washer pauses instead of spinning. Redistributing it often helps, and we cover this in how to fix a washing machine that is off balance.
- A worn motor coupler or actuator. On some models the part that engages the spin can wear out.
Why the two problems are usually connected
Here is the key insight: a washer that will not drain will also not spin, because the machine is designed to hold the spin until the water is gone. So if your washer will not spin and there is water in the tub, the real problem is draining, not spinning. Clear the drain pump filter and the hose first, and the spin often returns on its own.
Quick checks before you call
- Clean the drain pump filter. Find the small door at the front bottom, put a shallow pan and towels down, open the filter, and remove any debris. Expect water to come out.
- Check the drain hose at the back for kinks, and make sure it is not pushed too far down the standpipe.
- Try a smaller, balanced load and run a drain or spin only cycle.
- Confirm the lid or door shuts fully. Many washers will not spin if the latch does not engage.
If the filter and hose are clear and it still will not drain or spin, the pump, lid lock, belt, or motor part needs testing, and that is a technician’s job.
Washer will not spin or drain, by brand
Samsung washer will not spin or drain
Samsung washers commonly flag drain errors such as nd or 5E when the pump filter is clogged. Clear the filter first. Front loaders also stop spinning if the door lock fails.
Whirlpool washer will not spin or drain
Whirlpool top loaders often will not spin because of a worn lid switch or a failed motor coupler, while no drain usually traces to the pump. If it stalls partway through, see a Whirlpool washer stuck on sensing.
LG washer will not spin or drain
LG front loaders show an OE code for a drain problem, usually a clogged pump filter or hose, and a UE code for an unbalanced load that stops the spin.
Maytag washer will not spin or drain
Maytag washers, built on the Whirlpool platform, most often will not drain from a clogged pump and will not spin from a lid lock or coupler. Clear the filter first, then check the lid switch.
How much does it cost to fix a washer that will not spin or drain?
| Repair | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Clear a clogged pump filter | Often a service call only |
| Lid switch or door lock | $100 to $200 |
| Drive belt | $120 to $220 |
| Drain pump | $150 to $300 |
| Motor coupler or actuator | $150 to $300 |
Most repairs land between $100 and $400. For the full breakdown see the Michigan appliance repair cost guide, and if you are wondering who handles this, read who to call to fix a washer.
Washer repair in Michigan
Michigan Appliances Repair fixes no-spin and no-drain washers on every major brand, including Samsung, Whirlpool, LG, Maytag, GE, and Speed Queen, top load and front load, with same-day service across Grand Rapids and West Michigan and scheduled visits statewide. You get the price up front, and we tell you honestly if it is a simple clog or a bigger repair. See our washer repair page or call (586) 837-0811.
Clothes stuck in water? Talk to a technician now.
Frequently asked questions
Why won’t my washer spin?
Usually a failed lid switch or door lock, an unbalanced load, a broken drive belt, or water still in the tub, since most washers will not spin until they finish draining.
Why won’t my washing machine drain?
Usually a clogged drain pump filter, a blocked or kinked drain hose, or a jammed pump. A sock or coin caught in the pump is a common cause.
Why won’t my washer spin or drain at all?
The two are linked. A clogged pump or filter stops the water draining, and the washer will not spin with water in the tub. Clearing the pump filter often fixes both.
How do I get the water out of a washer that will not drain?
Turn it off and unplug it, then drain through the pump filter hose at the front bottom into a shallow pan. Keep towels ready, because more water comes out than you expect.
How much does it cost to fix a washer that will not spin or drain?
Most repairs run $100 to $400 in Michigan. A drain pump is $150 to $300, a lid switch or door lock $100 to $200, and a belt $120 to $220.
Can I fix a washer that will not drain myself?
You can often clear the pump filter and check the hose, which fixes many cases. If the pump, lid lock, or belt has failed, that is a technician repair.