Maytag Washing Machine: not draining properly

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Maytag washing machine not draining properly? If water remains in the tub after a wash cycle and the washer fails to pump it out, you may be facing common issues such as a clogged drain hose, a faulty drain pump, or a defective lid switch. Understanding these problems can help you troubleshoot effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Maytag Models

  • Some Maytag models have a coin trap or removable pump filter that should be cleaned.

Possible Causes

Clogged drain hose or pump filter

How to Identify: Water remains in tub; visible debris or kink in hose; slow/no flow when hose is disconnected and flushed.

Part: Drain hose / pump filter

Faulty drain pump

How to Identify: Pump makes unusual noise or no sound during drain cycle; multimeter shows no continuity; water not expelled even after clearing hoses.

Part: Drain pump

Faulty lid/lid switch assembly

How to Identify: Washer won’t drain or spin; continuity test on lid switch fails; machine behaves as if lid is open.

Part: Lid switch

Control board or timer not powering pump

How to Identify: Electrical diagnostics show no power to drain pump during drain cycle; visual damage on board.

Part: Control board or timer

DIY Solutions

Clear drain hose and pump filter

Moderate 15–45 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, bucket, flashlight, long flexible brush
  1. Unplug washer and disconnect power.
  2. Move washer to access rear drain hose.
  3. Disconnect drain hose and inspect for blockages; use brush or water flush to clear.
  4. Locate pump filter (front/bottom access) and remove debris.
  5. Reassemble and test drain cycle.
⚠️ Safety First: Always unplug the washer before accessing hoses or pump.

Test and replace lid switch

Advanced 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: multimeter, screwdriver, replacement lid switch
  1. Unplug washer.
  2. Access lid switch by removing panels near lid.
  3. Disconnect switch and test continuity with a multimeter.
  4. If no continuity when lid closed, replace switch.
  5. Reassemble panels and test operation.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is disconnected before electrical testing.

Professional Repairs

Replace drain pump

Estimated Cost: $50 - $200

Replace control board or timer

Estimated Cost: $150 - $400

When to Call a Professional

If water remains after clearing hoses and pump, or there are electrical faults (no power to pump).
If you cannot safely access internal components or test electrical parts.

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean drain hose and pump filter: Clogs that cause drainage problems
    Frequency: every 3–6 months
  • Check pockets for small objects before washing: Foreign objects clogging pump or hose
    Frequency: Every load

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Maytag Washing Machine not draining properly?
Common causes include a clogged drain hose, a faulty drain pump, or issues with the lid switch.
How do I fix Maytag Washing Machine not draining properly myself?
You can clear the drain hose and pump filter, or test and replace the lid switch.
How much does it cost to fix not draining properly?
Professional repairs can range from $50 to $400 depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for not draining properly?
If DIY troubleshooting doesn't resolve the issue, or if complex repairs are needed, it's best to call a technician.

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

100%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Clogged drain pump filter (1 mentions)
  • Blocked washing machine hoses (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Clean out the washing machine hoses and drain pump filter regularly to prevent gunk buildup.

    Success rate: 50.0%
Analysis based on 2 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. Old Maytag Washer - Clothes Coming Out Wet - Troubleshooting
  2. Ooey gooey gunk from washing machine

Community Discussions

clothes staying wet after a cycle

Clean out the washing machine hoses and drain pump filter regularly to prevent gunk buildup.

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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