Samsung Washing Machine: not draining

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Samsung washing machine not draining water after completing cycles? If you notice water remaining in the drum or error codes indicating a drain failure, it could be due to common issues like a clogged drain filter or kinked drain hose. Addressing these problems promptly can save you time and money.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Samsung Models

  • Samsung support specifically lists clogged drain filters and hoses as primary causes and provides official steps to clear them
  • Error codes may display when drain issues occur—consult model-specific manual for exact codes

Possible Causes

Clogged drain filter / lint filter

How to Identify: Water remains after cycle, debris visible in filter, slow draining

Part: Drain filter

Kinked or clogged drain hose

How to Identify: Hose twisted, bent or clogged with debris, water fails to leave washer even with clear filter

Part: Drain hose

Faulty drain pump

How to Identify: No pump noise when draining, error codes, electrical pump not activating

Part: Drain pump

Control board or sensor error

How to Identify: Washer displays error codes unrelated to obvious physical blocks and pump functions but still won’t drain

Part: Control board / water level sensor

DIY Solutions

Clean drain filter

Moderate 15-30 minutes
Tools Needed: towel, bucket, gloves
  1. Turn off and unplug washer
  2. Locate and open drain filter access panel
  3. Place bucket/towel under filter
  4. Unscrew and pull out filter, remove debris
  5. Replace filter and run drain test
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is disconnected before opening filter area

Inspect and straighten/clean drain hose

Moderate 20-40 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, bucket
  1. Turn off and unplug washer
  2. Locate rear drain hose connection
  3. Disconnect hose and inspect for kinks
  4. Flush hose with water or clear blockages
  5. Reinstall hose ensuring smooth routing
⚠️ Safety First: Have towel/bucket ready for water spills

Professional Repairs

Replace drain pump

Estimated Cost: $50 - $150

Repair/replace control board or sensors

Estimated Cost: $150 - $300

When to Call a Professional

Pump makes unusual noise or does not run
Repeated error codes after DIY cleaning
No improvement after clearing clogs

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean drain filter: Clogs that cause non‑draining
    Frequency: monthly
  • Inspect drain hose: Kinks and debris buildup
    Frequency: every 3-6 months
  • Avoid overloading washer: Excess lint and debris accumulation
    Frequency: ongoing

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Samsung Washing Machine not draining?
Common causes include a clogged drain filter, kinked drain hose, faulty drain pump, or control board errors.
How do I fix Samsung Washing Machine not draining myself?
You can clean the drain filter and inspect the drain hose for kinks or clogs as DIY solutions.
How much does it cost to fix not draining?
Professional repairs for a drain pump replacement can cost between $50 - $150, while control board repairs range from $150 - $300.
When should I call a technician for not draining?
If DIY fixes don't resolve the issue or if you suspect a faulty drain pump or control board, it's best to call a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

17%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Professional

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Blocked drain pump (1 mentions)
  • Faulty drain pump (3 mentions)
  • Issues with pressure switch (2 mentions)
  • Clogged drain line (2 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Cleaning the drain pump to remove debris

    Success rate: 11.0%
Analysis based on 6 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. Samsung Washer Won’t Drain
  2. 2 year old Samsung VRTplus (model:WA52t7650AV) error "4C" an...
  3. Samsung wa54m8750av/a4 8C1 Code
  4. Samsung WF337AAR/XAA front loading washer - replaced drain p...
  5. Samsung Bespoke AI Front Load Washer stuck on "Sensing load,...
  6. 9 YO Samsung Washer - Repair It or Buy a New One?

Community Discussions

stuck on 'Sensing load', not draining

Blocked drain pump due to debris (matted hair) was resolved by cleaning.

DIY View on Reddit →

making noises, won't drain

Use a high water cycle followed by a drain cycle to clear out the litter.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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