If Your LG Washer Won’t Drain, Follow These 5 Steps

Is your LG washer having drainage issues?

That sucks! There’s nothing more annoying than not being able to use your washer, especially when you have a pile of dirty laundry.

But don’t worry; I’m here to help.

If your LG washer won’t drain, you’ll need to check the position of the drain hose, straighten out any kinks, and remove any clogs from it. It’s also important to clean the filter, load the washer correctly, and inspect the drain pump.

Ready to fix your washer? Let’s dive in!

LG Washer Won’t Drain? 6 Steps to Fix It

If your LG washer won’t drain, don’t worry! This is a very common problem. In fact, in my 16 years of repairing washers, I’ve found that drainage issues are the most common concerns people reach out to me about.

Luckily, there are various solutions you can try.

#1 Balance the Load

When I see an LG washer that won’t drain, I always check the load balance.

You see, an unbalanced load or overly packed load prevents the washer from spinning correctly, resulting in excess water that struggles to drain.

Here are a couple of tips that will help you to fix the drainage issues on your LG washer:

• Evenly arrange your load.
• Do not overfill your washer.
• Use the SPIN setting. It will remove excess water from the clothes and out of the washer. 

While you’re at it, please make sure you’re not using too much detergent, as it can produce excessive suds and lead to drainage issues. Using the right detergent for your washer’s model is also important.

#2 Check the Drain Hose’s Condition

If your LG washer is still not draining water, it’s time to check the drain hose condition.

The water will not be able to flow properly if the drain hose has any kinks. Any clogs inside the hose will also inhibit the water from draining. 

To fix the drainage issue, please straighten the hose pipe, remove any kinks, and unclog the hose.

Do you live in a very cold climate? Then your drain hose will stop working if it is frozen. You will need to thaw out the drain hose before using the machine. To thaw it, do the following:

1. Pour in water that is 50 to 60 degrees Celsius.
2. Close the door.
3. Wait for 1 to 2 hours for the hose to thaw out.
4. Open the access panel and drain the water out through the hose.

While you’re at it, I recommend checking that the hose is in the right position. Otherwise, the water can drain back into your washer.

This is what your drain hose should look like:

• The drain hose should drain into the standpipe or laundry tub.
• The hose should be no less than 34 inches high from the ground.
• The hose should be no more than 96 inches from the ground.

#3 Clean the Filter and Test the Drain Pump

Drainage issues on front-load or top-load LG washers are often due to the wear and tear on the drain pump, which is in use every time the unit is spinning.

The drain pump is the mechanism that draws water out of the washer and into the drain. When a washer is not draining water due to a defective drain pump, I find that in most cases, a slight humming sound comes from the motor, indicating that it is receiving power, but it’s not moving any water.

Lean your washer to access the drain pump and ensure it’s not clogged with small items. If you notice any signs of damage, please replace it with a new one. Drain pumps typically cost $20 to $80.

I’ve seen that older LG models are easier and cheaper to repair. So, if you have a new model accessing the drain pump can be a bit more challenging. Check the manufacturer’s manual and watch a tutorial video to replace the drain pump.

If you want to get any replacement part – or see how much one would cost – click to enter your model number in the search bar below. Our partners at AppliancePartsPros stock almost every part with free guides on how to install them.

#4 Level the Washer

When fixing drainage issues on an LG washer, it’s also important to ensure the unit is level.

An uneven washer can also result in poor cleaning performance and water leakage.

If your LG washer won’t drain, try leveling it. Here’s how to do it:

1. Use spirit level/carpenter’s bubble.
2. Check the level of your washer side to side and front to back. You’ll have to level your machine if the bubble isn’t centered.
3. Carefully tilt your washing machine back to access the adjustable feet. Ask a friend for help if possible since the appliance can be heavy.
4. Turn the front leveling feet counterclockwise to lower the washer feet or clockwise to raise them. You can do this by hand or with pliers.
5. Use the spirit level again to check if the washing machine is now level again.
6. If your washer is level, tighten the lock nuts above each foot.

Although leveling out your washing machine is very important, you should ensure that this does not compromise its stability. A washer that does not have its feet sturdily on the ground will not drain well.

To ensure your washer drains, move it onto a solid, sturdy floor section. If necessary, reduce your spin speed. 

#5 Check the Door Switch

If you’ve tried the fixes above, but your LG washer is still not draining, you’ll need to check the door switch.

The door switch is a safety mechanism that automatically stops the unit if the door is open. Unfortunately, if the switch is faulty, it can think the door is open, even when closed, and keep your washer from starting the draining cycle.

Checking the door switch can vary depending on whether you have a top-load or front-load washer. Check out your manual to access the switch and inspect it.

If the door switch is malfunctioning, I recommend replacing it.

If you want to get any replacement part – or see how much one would cost – click to enter your model number in the search bar below. Our partners at AppliancePartsPros stock almost every part with free guides on how to install them.

Conclusion

Hopefully, now you know how to fix the drainage issues on your LG washer.

Remember, you need to take a closer look at the drain pump and ensure there is no clog in the washing machine itself. You also want to take a look at the door assembly.

Finally, maintaining your washing machine is key. If you do so, you can reduce the risk of developing issues with it.

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Thanks for reading, and have a great day!