Electrolux Washing Machine: not draining

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Electrolux washing machine not draining? If water remains in the drum after a cycle, or if it stops mid-cycle with water still inside, you may encounter drain-related error codes like E20 or E21. This issue is often caused by a clogged drain pump or filter, but can also involve the drain hose or external drainage system.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Electrolux Models

  • Error codes such as E20, E21/C2 directly indicate drain pump or restricted drain hose issues
  • Proper installation of drain hose height and routing affects drainage performance

Possible Causes

Clogged drain pump/filter

How to Identify: Water remains after cycle; visible debris in filter housing; error codes related to drainage (e.g., E20

Part: Drain pump and lint filter

DIY Solutions

Clean Drain Pump Filter

Moderate 15–45 minutes
Tools Needed: towel, bucket, flathead screwdriver
  1. Unplug washer and place towel/bucket beneath filter access.
  2. Open filter cover and slowly unscrew filter to drain residual water.
  3. Remove debris from filter and inside housing; rotate pump blade if visible.
  4. Reinstall filter securely and run a short drain/spin cycle to test.
⚠️ Safety First: Always unplug machine before accessing filter.

Straighten and Inspect Drain Hose

Easy 10–20 minutes
Tools Needed: none or work gloves
  1. Unplug machine and move enough to access rear hose.
  2. Inspect hose for kinks, twists, or crushed spots.
  3. Straighten hose and ensure proper routing to drain.
  4. Reconnect and test drain performance.
⚠️ Safety First: Avoid sharp bends; ensure hose isn’t pushed too far into wall drain.

Check and Clear External Drain/Trap

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: plumbing snake or brush, bucket
  1. Inspect home drain/trap where washer hose empties.
  2. Remove cover and clear debris or build‑up manually or with snake.
  3. Flush with water to ensure free flow.
  4. Reconnect hose and run test cycle.
⚠️ Safety First: Wear gloves; watch for wastewater spill.

Professional Repairs

Replace Drain Pump Assembly

Estimated Cost: $60–$180 (part) + labor

Internal Control/Sensor Repair

Estimated Cost: $150–$400+

When to Call a Professional

Pump humming but not draining after filter/hoses are clear
Electrical error codes persist after basic cleaning
Leaks or unusual noises during drainage

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean drain pump filter: Clogged drain causing non‑drainage
    Frequency: monthly
  • Inspect drain hose: Hose kinks and restrictions
    Frequency: quarterly
  • Check home drain/trap: External blockages affecting washer drainage
    Frequency: semi‑annually

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Electrolux Washing Machine not draining?
Common causes include a clogged drain pump or filter, drain hose issues, or problems with the external drain.
How do I fix Electrolux Washing Machine not draining myself?
You can clean the drain pump filter, inspect and straighten the drain hose, or clear the external drain/trap.
How much does it cost to fix not draining?
Professional repairs for not draining typically range from $60–$180 for a drain pump replacement, plus labor.
When should I call a technician for not draining?
If DIY solutions do not resolve the issue, or if you're facing complex problems like control or sensor malfunctions, consider calling a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

67%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Clogged drain pump or filter (2 mentions)
  • Broken wire to the drain pump (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Check the drain pump and drain filter for clogs.

    Success rate: 20.0%
  2. Possible broken wire to the drain pump.

    Success rate: 20.0%
Analysis based on 3 community discussions
View Sources

Community Discussions

not draining and stopping cycles prematurely

Possible broken wire to the drain pump

drain problem, E21 error code

User plans to replace the drain pump after testing and confirming other components are clear.

ending cycles prematurely and not draining

Check the drain pump and drain filter for clogs.

not draining

Ordered a main control board, unsure if it is the correct part.

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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