Samsung Washing Machine: not draining fully

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Samsung washing machine not draining fully? This common issue often leaves water in the drum, accompanied by buzzing or humming sounds. Key culprits include a clogged drain pump filter, obstructed drain hose, or a faulty drain pump. Understanding these causes can help you tackle the problem effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Samsung Models

  • Samsung recommends checking proper drain hose installation height to ensure correct drainage

Possible Causes

Clogged drain pump filter or drain path

How to Identify: Standing water after cycle; removal of front filter reveals lint, debris, coins, threads.

Part: Drain pump filter / debris trap

Obstructed or kinked drain hose

How to Identify: Water drains slowly or not at all; visible kinks/bends in hose; flushing hose clears obstruction.

Part: Drain hose

Faulty drain pump

How to Identify: Humming or buzzing during drain but no water removed; cleaning filter doesn’t fix issue.

Part: Drain pump assembly

Door lock / lid switch malfunction

How to Identify: Washer thinks door is open; drain cycle not initiated; diagnostics show related error codes.

Part: Door lock or lid switch

Control board or timer fault

How to Identify: No power to drain pump when expected; error codes persist after cleaning blockages.

Part: Main control board / timer

DIY Solutions

Clean the drain pump filter

Moderate 15–30 minutes
Tools Needed: towels, small bucket, screwdriver (maybe)
  1. Unplug washer and place towels/bucket under filter access panel
  2. Open front filter cap and slowly remove water
  3. Extract and clean debris from filter
  4. Rinse filter, reinstall securely, and test drain cycle
⚠️ Safety First: Unplug machine before working near electrical parts

Inspect and clear drain hose

Moderate 20–45 minutes
Tools Needed: flashlight, bucket, long brush or flexible tool
  1. Unplug washer and pull unit from wall
  2. Inspect hose for kinks or bends
  3. Disconnect hose and inspect inside for debris
  4. Flush with water or use brush to clear blockage, then reconnect
⚠️ Safety First: Prepare for water spill when disconnecting hose

Reset washer electronics

Easy 5 minutes
  1. Unplug washer for 1–2 minutes
  2. Plug back in and press Power
  3. Run a drain/spin cycle to see if issue resolves

Redistribute load to rebalance

Easy 5 minutes
  1. Pause cycle, open door and rearrange clothes evenly
  2. Avoid overloading with bulky items
  3. Restart drain or spin cycle

Next step

Choose the next step for not draining fully

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

Check during diagnosis

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.

Find a part that fits my model

Verify the complete model and part number on the retailer's compatibility page before ordering.

Also check
RepairClinic

Other parts options

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

Possible related component

Drain Hose

Carries waste water from the drain pump to your home's standpipe or sink drain.

$15 - $30 · Easy · 15-30 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: $40–$150

Repair/replace door lock or lid switch

Estimated Cost: $30–$120

Control board diagnosis and replacement

Estimated Cost: $150–$400

When to Call a Professional

Water still not draining after filter/hose cleaning
Strange noises from pump after cleaning
Electronic error codes persist or control panel unresponsive
Leaks or water damage visible

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean drain pump filter: Clogs leading to drain issues
    Frequency: monthly
  • Inspect drain hose for kinks: Blocked or restricted drainage
    Frequency: quarterly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Samsung Washing Machine not draining fully?
Common causes include a clogged drain pump filter, obstructed drain hose, or a faulty drain pump.
How do I fix Samsung Washing Machine not draining fully myself?
Start by cleaning the drain pump filter and inspecting the drain hose for kinks. Resetting the washer electronics may also help.
How much does it cost to fix not draining fully?
Professional repairs can range from $40 for a drain pump replacement to $400 for control board issues.
When should I call a technician for not draining fully?
Call a technician if DIY solutions don’t resolve the issue or if you suspect a faulty control board.

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

  • Clogged drain filter or hose
  • Faulty drain pump
  • Kinked or damaged drain hose

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Check and clean the drain filter. Locate the filter access panel, usually at the front bottom of the washer. Open it, remove any debris, and rinse the filter under running water. Reinstall the filter and test the machine.

  2. Inspect the drain pump for functionality. Unplug the washer, remove the back panel, and check the pump for blockages or damage. If the pump is faulty, replace it with a new one.

  3. Examine the drain hose for kinks or damages. Ensure the hose is not bent or pinched, and that it is properly connected to the drain. Replace the hose if any damage is found.

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. Samsung top loader won’t drain fully

Community Discussions

washer won't drain fully

It's normal for some water to remain in the drum after a wash cycle; leave the lid open to allow it to dry out.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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