Indesit Washing Machine: not draining
What is this symptom?
Is your Indesit washing machine not draining? This common issue can leave water in the drum, preventing your clothes from spinning dry. Often indicated by flashing lights, the problem typically arises from a blocked drain pump filter, a kinked drain hose, or a failing drain pump. Addressing these issues promptly can restore functionality and save you from costly repairs.
Important Tips for Indesit Models
- Indesit’s official guidance for 'not draining' strongly emphasizes a blocked pump/filter as the most likely cause, and their service guidance notes that multiple flashing wash/rinse/spin lights can indicate a blockage in the filter or waste/drain pipe.
- Indesit genuine drain pump parts are available through official spares channels; one example pump listing shows a genuine pump (J00393231 / C00386526) priced around £23.69 (model compatibility required).
Possible Causes
Blocked drain pump filter / coin trap (lint, hair, coins, buttons, fabric)
How to Identify: Water left in drum; draining very slow or stops; pump may sound strained or noisy; filter area contains debris; some Indesit models show flashing wash/rinse/spin lights indicating possible filter/drain blockage.
Part: Drain pump filter / coin trap (front lower access panel)
Blocked or kinked drain hose (or standpipe/sink connection blocked)
How to Identify: Hose visibly kinked behind machine; water backs up into sink/standpipe; draining improves when hose is lowered/straightened; debris found at hose end or connection.
Part: Drain hose and household drain/standpipe connection
Drain pump impeller obstructed or pump motor failing
How to Identify: Filter is clean but machine still won’t drain; pump hums but no water moves; intermittent draining; burning smell; excessive noise; pump does not run during drain segment.
Part: Drain pump (motor/impeller assembly)
Pressure switch / water level sensing issue (drainage detected incorrectly; can trigger F05-type symptoms)
How to Identify: Machine drains physically but still reports draining fault; inconsistent behavior; error persists after pump/filter/hose checks; may show drainage-related error (e.g., F05 despite no obvious blockage.
Part: Pressure switch (water level sensor) and pressure chamber/air hose
Drain pump electrical/circuit fault (often associated with F11-type pump circuit faults on Indesit/Hotpoint platforms)
How to Identify: Pump never runs (silent, no hum; pump tests OK mechanically but has no power; drainage fault persists; fault codes consistent with pump circuit problems.
Part: Pump wiring, connectors, control board relay/triac for pump
DIY Solutions
Clean the drain pump filter / coin trap (most common fix)
- Turn off the machine and unplug it from the mains. Turn off the water supply.
- Locate the pump filter behind the lower front access panel (often bottom right). Remove the panel carefully (some models clip off; others need prying with a flat screwdriver).
- Place towels and a shallow tray/bowl under the filter area because water will spill out.
- Slowly unscrew the filter cap to let water drain gradually into the tray.
- Remove the filter fully, clean lint/debris/foreign objects, and wipe the filter housing.
- Check the pump impeller behind the filter for obstructions and ensure it spins freely (do not force).
- Reinstall the filter securely, refit the panel, then run a drain/spin cycle to confirm normal draining.
Check and clear the drain hose and household drain connection
- Unplug the machine and turn off water supply.
- Pull the machine forward carefully to access the rear drain hose.
- Check for obvious kinks or crushing; straighten and ensure the hose is not trapped.
- Remove the hose end from the standpipe/sink trap and check for clogs at the hose end and the household drain connection.
- Flush the hose with water (into a bucket/outdoors) to confirm it is clear, then reconnect securely.
- Run a drain/spin test cycle and verify strong discharge flow.
Inspect for pump impeller obstruction and remove trapped objects
- After cleaning the filter, look inside the pump cavity for coins, hair grips, fabric, or lint clumps.
- Gently remove debris using fingers or long-nose pliers if needed.
- Rotate the impeller gently to ensure it moves without binding.
- Reassemble and test drain/spin.
Next step
Choose the next step for not draining
Confirm the diagnosis before ordering. An error code can identify the system involved, but it does not prove that a specific part has failed.
Most relevant component to inspect
Drain Pump
Pumps waste water out of the appliance during the drain cycle.
- Typical part-only price
- $35 - $80
- DIY difficulty
- Easy
- Estimated time
- 15-30 mins
Where can I find the model number?
Check the rating label around the door, lid, frame, rear panel, or inside the appliance cabinet. Use the complete model number, including suffixes.
Verify the complete model and part number on the retailer's compatibility page before ordering.
Other parts options
Check related components first; use model search as a fallback.
Drain Hose
Carries waste water from the drain pump to your home's standpipe or sink drain.
Pressure Switch
Detects the water level inside the tub and signals when to start or stop filling.
Main Control Board
The central brain of the appliance that controls all components, cycles, and timings.
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.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission from other qualifying purchases or service requests made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are based on repair relevance, not commission rate.
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.
Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets
Routine tub-cleaning supplies for residue and odor control. They do not repair a mechanical, drainage, or electronic fault.
Braided Washer Inlet Hoses
A maintenance replacement option for visibly worn external fill hoses. Verify thread size, length, and hot/cold connection requirements.
Washer Drain Hose Holder
Helps secure an external drain hose at the standpipe. It does not correct an internal pump or control fault.
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 assembly
Diagnose and repair pressure switch / pressure system (water level sensing) and related blockages
Electrical diagnosis of drain pump circuit / control board repair
When to Call a Professional
Preventive Maintenance
-
Inspect and clean the pump filter/coin trap; remove lint, hair, and foreign objects: Drainage blockages and 'not draining' symptoms
Frequency: Monthly (more often if used daily) -
Check pockets for coins, hair grips, tissues and small items before washing: Pump/filter blockages and impeller jams
Frequency: Every wash -
Ensure drain hose is routed without kinks and the standpipe/sink drain is not restricted: Slow draining and drain error conditions
Frequency: Every 3-6 months or after moving the machine
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Indesit Washing Machine not draining?
How do I fix Indesit Washing Machine not draining myself?
How much does it cost to fix not draining?
When should I call a technician for not draining?
References & Sources
- Indesit Service: Washing Machine Repairs (flashing lights indicate possible filter/waste pipe blockage) Official
- Ransom Spares: How to Clean The Filter On An Indesit Washing Machine Repair-Blog
- Indesit Spare Parts: Drain Pump J00393231 (C00386526) listing with price Official
- Trusted Reviews: How to unblock a washing machine that won’t drain Repair-Blog
Community Analytical Insights
Guidance from available sources; statistical claims are shown only for samples of at least 10 discussions
Common Issues Reported by Users
- Blocked impeller (2 mentions)
- Faulty drain pump (2 mentions)
User Suggested Solutions
-
Replace or unblock the impeller
-
Replace the drain pump
Limited-source guidance; percentages and success-rate claims are not shown
View
Sources
Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:
Community Discussions
loud rattling noises when trying to drain, then stopped entirely
The impeller from the drain pump is broken and needs a new pump.
The pump is producing a humming sound but does not remove the water.
Blocked impeller was found to be the issue.
Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair
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