How to Fix a Whirlpool Washer That Won’t Drain - SimplySwider.com
DIY Appliance Repair

Is Your Whirlpool Washer Not Draining? Discover the Possible Causes and Fixes Below!

Written by

Jason Carter

Is Your Whirlpool Washer Not Draining? Discover the Possible Causes and Fixes Below!

Oh no!

Your Whirlpool washer is not draining, and your clothes are still in a wet pile despite completing the wash and spin cycles.

Now:

Seeing your garments immersed in the machine can lower your spirits, considering it took some effort to get your laundry done.

So:

You’re probably staring at your clothes in the washer, pondering a replacement to wear to work or wherever.

Thankfully:

We have compiled a reviewed list of reasons why your washer isn’t draining and how to fix it.

Try these troubleshooting recommendations to get your washer to drain.

Whirlpool Washer Is Not Draining

Whirlpool Washer Is Not Draining

Different factors could cause your Whirlpool washer not to drain after completing its cycle. Some of these causes are; a bent or clogged hose, a faulty lid switch assembly or door lock, installing your drain hose at an unsuitable distance from the floor, and having a defective drain pump or motor.

1. Wrong Wash Cycle Setting

Whirlpool cycle settings

The fact is:

For Whirlpool washers, each load has a designated wash cycle setting.  

These cycle settings can determine the speed, temperature, amount of detergent used for the wash, or the spin intensity required.

However:

If your laundry is incompatible with the selected cycle setting, your washer might not drain properly.

Consequently:

Selecting the wrong cycle for the bulk or type of clothes loaded in your Whirlpool washer could cause a drainage failure.

To prevent this:

Always ensure you are familiar with the cycle settings of your machine and the type of textiles appropriate for each of them.

This specific but crucial information would save you time, maintain the quality of your clothes, and prolong the life of your washing machine.

2. Clogged or Kinked Drain Hose

Whirlpool Drain Hose

Now:

Neglecting the hose when attempting to analyze the problem with your Whirlpool washer is typical. That small guy, though, might be the culprit.

Shocking as it may sound:

A kinked or obstructed hose is one of the most frequent causes of a Whirlpool washer drainage failure.

The hose’s abrupt bends will likely affect the pressure inside the washer, causing the water to flow less freely.

Additionally:

A clogged hose could result from past washing processes, as small, torn pieces of clothing fibers could get stuck in the hose.

Over time, these tiny fragments accumulate to form lumps, which may plug the hose and prevent water flow.

Keep in mind that:

Your Whirlpool washer might not drain if the hose is placed too high or too close to the ground.

Ideally, your drain hose should be less than 8 feet above the floor, as anything more could cause your washer to drain poorly.

Thankfully:

If any of the above cases hold, you need not worry much; examine the drain pipe to begin troubleshooting.

Your whirlpool washer should begin to drain after you get rid of obstructions in the hose and straighten it if bent.

3. Damaged Drain Pump

Whirlpool drain pump

So:

You’ve examined the drain hose for your washer, and it’s neither kinked nor clogged. It appears safe to proceed with your laundry, but your Whirlpool washer still won’t drain.

So what might be the problem?

You see:

Water leaves the washtub after being pumped through the hose, so your next step should be to check your drain pump.

During the wash process:

Small objects and debris from clothing materials could sometimes find their way to the drain pump and get stuck there.

These clogs are a pain because they negatively affect the drainage system of your Whirlpool washer.

The thing is:

Your Whirlpool washer may stop draining because the pump cannot move water from the bottom of the machine to the drain line.

To fix this:

Read your Whirlpool washer user manual instructions to access your drain pump. Then, carefully take it out and remove any blockages.

If your washer is still not draining after this has been done, your drain pump might be damaged.

In this case:

You need to replace your drain pump, as a new one would serve you better.

Remember to:

Reach out to Whirlpool Customer Support if the warranty for your device is still effective for free replacement parts.

4. Faulty Lid Switch Assembly

Kenmore Lid Switch

Look:

Top-load Whirlpool washers have a safety feature that secures the lid and ensures that it is tightly closed.

Once the safety feature is engaged, the lock triggers the lid switch to release water into the washer for the cycle.

Now:

If your lid switch is faulty or disengaged, the switch will not trigger the washer, preventing it from running any cycle.

By association, the drain will also not function in the event of a lid switch fault.

If this happens:

Ensure that your lid is securely in place and inspect for physical signs of damage.

If there is no damage upon inspection, proceed to check if your switch is faulty.

To check if your lid switch is faulty:

  • Step 1: Unplug your Whirlpool washer.
  • Step 2: Open the control panel.
  • Step 3: Locate the lid switch (the lid switch is a three-wire plug found either at the center or left.)
  • Step 4: Disconnect the lid switch and close the lid.
  • Step 5: Proceed to check for continuity on both outside wires of the plug using a multimeter.
  • Step 6: If the circuit is open, your Whirlpool washer lid switch is faulty, and you should replace it.

At this point:

It is best to seek professional help to change the faulty lid switch and service the machine.

5. Defective Washer Door Lock

Similarly:

Front-load Whirlpool washers have a safety feature that prevents them from draining if the lock is open.

However, if the lock is defective, the washer will still not spin or drain despite fastening the door lock.

This happens because:

A defective door lock will be unable to signal your Whirlpool washer to begin the wash cycle. As a result, the clothes remain in the washer, refusing to wash, or drain.

To fix this:

Inspect the washer door carefully for signs of damage. Then, test the door lock latch with a multimeter and replace it if damaged electronically.

6. Clogged Coin Trap

Listen:

It’s almost impossible not to gather debris in your Whirlpool washer coin trap, as it was designed for that.

This debris comprises dirt, suds, foreign objects, and fragments from clothes in the washer.

Now:

While the coin trap is intended to catch debris, you must clear out its collections regularly.

Why?

A clogged coin trap could impair your Whirlpool washer’s drainage system, causing it to drain poorly or not at all.

To ensure your machine’s smooth functioning:

Try taking out the coin trap and cleaning it thoroughly before placing it back. Your machine should drain just fine after this.

Models Most Affected

The fact is:

Any washing machine might eventually experience drainage system issues, regardless of the brand or model.

However:

Some Whirlpool washer models are more vulnerable to drainage systems problems than others.

These models include:

1. Whirlpool Duet

Whirlpool Duet

Thankfully:

The Whirlpool duet is a sturdy washer that produces little to no noise and can wash up to 16 pairs of jeans at once.

This trustworthy machine uses less water than the traditional washer and has bleach, fabric softener, and detergent compartments.

Sadly:

Many Duet users report that their machine occassionally has issues draining properly.

In that case:

If you find that your Whirlpool duet won’t drain, be sure to apply any of the tips outlined in this article.

2. Whirlpool Cabrio

Whirlpool Cabrio

Now:

The Whirlpool Cabrio is a smart model that not only rids your clothes of dirt and bacteria but also preserves your fabric’s quality while at it.

Its large tub can handle double loads; hence you can cut your laundry time in half.

Granted:

The Whirlpool Cabrio is a terrific washing machine for families especially. However, it is prone to several faults addressed in this article that could cause drainage issues.

3. Whirlpool H2low

Now:

The Whirlpool H2low is a top loader that saves cost on utility bills and conserves water while giving your laundry the best care.

Additionally:

Bulky items like pillows, jackets, sleeping bags, and blankets can easily fit into its wash basket.

Sadly:

This model has been reported to have difficulties draining due to some of the reasons outlined above. Thankfully, this article explains those possible factors and how to fix them.

Conclusion

We can all agree that:

Doing laundry is no doubt a stressful chore, but your Whirlpool washer exists to make it much less of a chore.

So:

It’s a real bummer when your washer refuses to drain, and your clothes are left to soak in the wash basket.

On that note:

Here are quick fixes to get your Whirlpool machine to start draining:

  • Ensure you select the appropriate wash cycle setting for the load
  • Unclog your drain pump
  • Replace the drain pump if faulty
  • Check for blockages in your washer’s drain hose
  • Ensure the lid switch assembly is in place, and replace it with a new one if faulty.
  • Inspect your washer’s door lock for defects
  • Clean your Whirlpool washer’s coin trap

After trying these fixes:

Your Whirlpool washer should be able to drain water properly. However, if the problem persists, it might be time to seek professional help.

Plus:

If the one-year warranty still covers your machine, consider getting a replacement.

Now:

Did you try any of our fixes? How was your experience? Feel free to share your thoughts and questions in the comment section below!


Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Fix a Whirlpool Washer That Won’t Drain?

If none of the reasons discussed above solves the issue with your washer, perform a factory reset on your machine. You can do this by unplugging it for one minute and then plugging it back again.

How Do I Force My Whirlpool Cabrio To Drain?

You can force your Whirpool Cabrio to drain by overriding the drain mechanism and discharging the hose. Change the cycle selection to “drain and spin” to do this.

How Do I Manually Drain My Whirlpool Washer?

Disconnect your washing machine, and manually drain the water from the hose into a large bucket or basin. You can also bail out the water from the tub with a bowl.

Why Is My Washer Spinning But Not Draining?

If your washer is spinning but not draining, it is probably due to a clog in the hose, drain pump, or coin trap. It could also be due to a faulty lid switch, washer door lock, or pump.

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