Amana Washing Machine: not draining; overfilling

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Amana washing machine not draining or overfilling? This common issue leaves water in the drum or causes excessive filling during cycles. Key problems include clogged drain hoses, faulty drain pumps, or issues with the water inlet valve. Understanding these causes can help you troubleshoot effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Amana Models

Some frontâ€‘load Amana models have a drain pump filter accessible behind a lower front panel that should be cleaned.
Drain hose improper positioning (depth in standpipe) can cause water to siphon back, contributing to perceived fill/drain issues.

Possible Causes

Clogged drain hose or filter

How to Identify: Water remains in drum after cycle, slow/no water exit, visible debris in filter or hose.

Part: Drain hose / drain pump filter

Faulty drain pump

How to Identify: Pump making humming or buzzing without moving water; no noise from pump when it should run.

Part: Drain pump

Faulty water inlet valve

How to Identify: Washer continues to fill with water even when cycle should have stopped; water flow continues after power cut.

Part: Water inlet valve

Faulty pressure/water level switch or tube

How to Identify: Machine overfills because it does not detect correct water level; pressure tube may be clogged or damaged.

Part: Pressure/water level switch

Control board/electrical faults

How to Identify: Erratic fill/drain behavior not explained by mechanical faults; no correct control signals.

Part: Control board/Timer

DIY Solutions

Clean drain hose and pump filter

Moderate 20â€“40 minutes

Tools Needed: Bucket, Pliers, Towels

Unplug washer and turn off water supply.
Locate drain hose at back and disconnect it; clear any clogs.
Locate drain pump filter (if accessible), open and remove debris.
Reattach hose and filter; run a test drain cycle.

⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is disconnected before working on machine

Inspect and straighten drain hose

Easy 10â€“15 minutes

Tools Needed: None

Turn off washer and water supply.
Check drain hose for kinks or bends behind the washer.
Straighten hose and ensure itâ€™s not pushed too deep into drain standpipe.
Run machine to test draining.

Reset washer (may clear control glitches)

Easy 5 minutes

Turn off washer and unplug from power.
Wait 1â€“2 minutes.
Plug back in and power on; run a test cycle.

Professional Repairs

Replace drain pump

Estimated Cost: $80 - $200

Replace water inlet valve

Estimated Cost: $50 - $120

Replace pressure/water level switch

Estimated Cost: $40 - $100

Control board diagnostics/repair

Estimated Cost: $150 - $400

When to Call a Professional

Water continues to fill even when power is cut

Unusual noises during drain pump operation

Repeated failures after DIY cleaning

Preventive Maintenance

Clean drain pump filter: Clogs leading to poor drainage
Frequency: every 3â€“6 months
Inspect hoses for kinks: Blockages and siphoning issues
Frequency: monthly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Amana Washing Machine not draining; overfilling?

Common causes include a clogged drain hose, faulty drain pump, or a defective water inlet valve.

How do I fix Amana Washing Machine not draining; overfilling myself?

You can clean the drain hose, inspect for kinks, or reset your washer to resolve the issue.

How much does it cost to fix not draining; overfilling?

Professional repairs range from $40 for a switch replacement to $400 for control board diagnostics.

When should I call a technician for not draining; overfilling?

If DIY solutions donâ€™t work, or if the problem persists, it's best to consult a technician.

References & Sources

Amana Washer Not Draining Troubleshooting Official

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

75%

DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

Clogged drain hose or pump
Faulty water level pressure switch
Defective lid switch

User Suggested Solutions

Check and clear the drain hose and pump. Disconnect the washing machine from power, remove the drain hose, and inspect for clogs. Clean any debris found. Also, check the pump for blockages and ensure it is functioning properly.
Test and replace the water level pressure switch if faulty. Access the switch, usually located near the control panel, and use a multimeter to test for continuity. Replace it if it fails the test.
Inspect and replace the lid switch. Open the lid and check if the switch engages when closed. If it does not, replace the lid switch to ensure the machine can drain properly.