Amana Washing Machine: not draining properly

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Amana washing machine failing to drain properly, leaving your clothes wet and water pooling in the tub? This common issue may be due to a clogged drain pump filter, a faulty drain pump, or a malfunctioning lid lock. Understanding the causes and solutions can help you restore your washer's functionality quickly.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Amana Models

  • Amana models typically have a drain pump filter/coin trap that should be cleaned periodically to prevent clog-related non-drain issues

Possible Causes

Clogged drain pump filter or "coin trap"

How to Identify: Water remains after cycle, slow or no water exiting hose; debris visible in pump filter area

Part: Drain pump filter/coin trap

Faulty drain pump

How to Identify: No sound from pump during drain cycle; humming without water moving, unusual noises or burning smell

Part: Drain pump

Lid/door lock or switch failure

How to Identify: Machine won’t start drain/spin cycle; click not heard when door/lid closed; some models won’t drain if latch/switch not engaged

Part: Lid/door switch assembly

Control board/timer failure

How to Identify: No power sent to pump during drain cycle, irregular operation despite clear hoses/pump

Part: Control board / Timer

DIY Solutions

Clean the drain pump filter/coin trap

Moderate 15–30 minutes
Tools Needed: Towels, Shallow pan, Screwdriver (if needed)
  1. Unplug washer and place towels under access panel.
  2. Open access panel or front kick plate to reach pump filter.
  3. Place shallow pan under filter cap and slowly unscrew it to catch water.
  4. Remove debris from filter and housing.
  5. Reinstall filter cap securely and close panel.
  6. Run a rinse & spin test cycle.
⚠️ Safety First: Always disconnect power before accessing internal parts.

Inspect and clear the drain hose

Moderate 15–45 minutes
Tools Needed: Bucket, Flashlight, Flexible brush or coat hanger
  1. Unplug washer and pull it away from wall.
  2. Disconnect drain hose from standpipe and washer (catch water with bucket).
  3. Visually inspect hose and run flexible brush/wire through to clear blockages.
  4. Straighten any kinks or replace hose if damaged.
  5. Reconnect hose, ensure proper height/position (no tight loops).
  6. Test washer drainage.
⚠️ Safety First: Avoid sharp tools that could puncture hose.

Check lid/door latch and switch operation

Easy 5–15 minutes
Tools Needed: None
  1. Ensure lid/door closes fully and engages latch.
  2. Listen for click of switch when door/lid closes.
  3. If no click or latch feels loose, consider switch cleaning or inspect for debris.

Next step

Choose the next step for not draining properly

Confirm the diagnosis before ordering. An error code can identify the system involved, but it does not prove that a specific part has failed.

Other parts options

Check related components first; use model search as a fallback.

Possible related component

Door Lock Assembly

Secures the door shut during operation for safety and signals the control board to run.

$30 - $75 · Easy · 10-20 mins

Check fit & price
Possible related component

Main Control Board

The central brain of the appliance that controls all components, cycles, and timings.

$120 - $280 · Medium · 20-40 mins

Check fit & price
Model number required

Model-compatible Washing Machine parts

Enter the complete model number to browse compatible replacement parts. This is a model-based parts search, not a diagnosis that a specific component failed.

Find a part that fits my model

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Optional routine care

Maintenance supplies

These products support cleaning or routine upkeep. They are separate from the possible repair components above and are not claimed to fix this error code or symptom.

Maintenance supply

Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets

Routine tub-cleaning supplies for residue and odor control. They do not repair a mechanical, drainage, or electronic fault.

View maintenance supply
Maintenance supply

Braided Washer Inlet Hoses

A maintenance replacement option for visibly worn external fill hoses. Verify thread size, length, and hot/cold connection requirements.

View maintenance supply
Maintenance supply

Washer Drain Hose Holder

Helps secure an external drain hose at the standpipe. It does not correct an internal pump or control fault.

View maintenance supply

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Recommendations are based on routine-care relevance, not commission rate.

Professional Repairs

Replace drain pump

Estimated Cost: $80 - $200

Replace door lock/lid switch assembly

Estimated Cost: $50 - $150

Repair/replace control board or timer

Estimated Cost: $100 - $350

When to Call a Professional

When water still doesn’t drain after cleaning filter and hoses
Pump makes unusual noises or shows signs of mechanical failure
Lid/door switch or control board suspected faulty
Electronic error codes persist

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean drain pump filter: Debris blockages that stop draining
    Frequency: every 1–3 months
  • Inspect drain hose for kinks or debris: Hose blockages and improper draining
    Frequency: every 3–6 months

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Amana Washing Machine not draining properly?
Common causes include a clogged drain pump filter, a faulty drain pump, or a lid switch failure.
How do I fix Amana Washing Machine not draining properly myself?
Try cleaning the drain pump filter, inspecting the drain hose, and checking the lid switch operation.
How much does it cost to fix not draining properly?
Professional repair costs range from $50 to $350, depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for not draining properly?
Call a technician if DIY solutions don't resolve the issue or if the problem seems complex.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Guidance from available sources; statistical claims are shown only for samples of at least 10 discussions

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Main board failure (2 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Replacing the main board

Limited-source guidance; percentages and success-rate claims are not shown
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Amana washing machine
  2. Amana Washing Machine

Community Discussions

washer running and trying to drain with no lights on

Replacing the main board should correct the issue.

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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