Ge Washing Machine: not draining

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Experiencing a GE washing machine that won't drain can be frustrating. Water remains in the drum after a wash cycle, and the spin or drain phase may pause indefinitely. This issue is common in both front-load and top-load models, often caused by a clogged drain hose, debris in the drain pump or filter, or a faulty drain pump.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Ge Models

  • GE washers may pause between cycles (up to a few minutes) which can be normal; do not advance timer manually if your model uses a manual dial. (products.

Possible Causes

Clogged or kinked drain hose

How to Identify: Hose visibly bent/pressed flat or water doesn’t exit when hose is detached and tested.

Part: Drain hose

Debris blocking the drain pump or filter

How to Identify: Presence of lint, clothing fibres or debris in pump housing; unusual noises before stop.

Part: Drain pump / filter

Faulty drain pump

How to Identify: Pump does not run during drain cycle and humming or clicking sounds occur; clearing clogs doesn’t fix drain failure.

Part: Drain pump

Control board or timer issue

How to Identify: Washer fails to initiate drain even with known good pump; electronic controls unresponsive.

Part: Control board / timer

Unbalanced or overloaded load

How to Identify: Heavy, off‑center loads that prevent proper agitation/spin/drain cycles.

Part: User loading condition

DIY Solutions

Check and clear the drain hose

Moderate 15–30 minutes
Tools Needed: Bucket, Screwdriver, Pliers
  1. Unplug washer and turn off water supply.
  2. Disconnect drain hose at both ends and inspect for kinks or blockages.
  3. Flush hose with water and straighten any bends.
  4. Reconnect securely and run a short drain cycle to test.
⚠️ Safety First: Always disconnect power before handling hoses.

Clean drain pump and filter

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: Screwdriver, Towel, Flashlight
  1. Disconnect power to the washer.
  2. Access the pump/filter cover (location varies by model).
  3. Remove visible debris from filter and inlet.
  4. Rotate pump impeller by hand to free jams.
  5. Reassemble and test drain cycle.
⚠️ Safety First: Be cautious of sharp edges; do not force parts.

Professional Repairs

Replace drain pump

Estimated Cost: $60–$150 for parts alone

Control board/timer diagnosis and replacement

Estimated Cost: $150–$400

When to Call a Professional

Water still not draining after clearing hose and pump filter
Leakage from internal components or electrical issues
Diagnostic error codes persist indicating internal faults

Preventive Maintenance

  • Inspect and clean drain hose: Clogs and non‑draining
    Frequency: every 6 months
  • Clean pump filter (if accessible): Debris buildup leading to pump blockage
    Frequency: every 3 months

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my GE Washing Machine not draining?
Common causes include a clogged or kinked drain hose, debris blocking the pump or filter, or a faulty drain pump.
How do I fix GE Washing Machine not draining myself?
Check and clear the drain hose for kinks or blockages, and clean the drain pump and filter to remove debris.
How much does it cost to fix not draining?
Professional repairs for a non-draining issue typically range from $60–$150 for a drain pump replacement to $150–$400 for control board diagnostics.
When should I call a technician for not draining?
Consider calling a technician if DIY fixes don't work, especially for complex issues like control board failures.

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

75%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Drain pump failure (3 mentions)
  • Control board issue (2 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Clean the drain pump filter and/or drain hose.

    Success rate: 6.0%

  2. Check for power to the drain pump.

    Success rate: 6.0%

  3. Unplug the machine for a few minutes and plug it back in.

    Success rate: 6.0%
Analysis based on 7 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. GE Washing machine has broken down after 2.5 years, repair p...
  2. HELP!! GE Washing Machines Spins but is not draining properl...
  3. Is my main control board bad? (GE GFW550SSN2WW)
  4. Appliances Help: GE GFW850SSN4WW Stuck After Pump Replacemen...
  5. GE Profile top load washing machine no drain cycle
  6. GE GTW460ASJ8WW Washing Machine Question
  7. Can YOU figure this one out?

Community Discussions

not draining, clicking noise

Check the drain pump or control board using a multimeter.

DIY View on Reddit →

does not drain, keeps adding water

Unplugged the machine for a few minutes and plugged it back in, which resolved the issue.

DIY View on Reddit →

washer wasn’t draining water, gets stuck in that setting

The drain pump is likely bad, but the Ohm reading is within acceptable range. Check for power to the pump.

DIY View on Reddit →

Washing machine spins but is not draining properly; sheets come out with dirt (lint)

Clean the drain pump filter and/or drain hose.

DIY View on Reddit →

not draining correctly, cycle stops, Start/Pause button blinks

Possible control board issue; considering replacing the CCU board.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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