If Your Maytag Washer Won’t Drain, Follow These Simple Steps

Is your Maytag washer having drainage issues?

You’re not alone! I know how annoying it can be when your washer stops working, especially in the middle of laundry day.

But don’t worry; I’m here to help!

If your Maytag washer won’t drain, check the position of the drain hose in the standpipe or laundry tub. You should also straighten out any hose kinks and remove clogs. Ensure you inspect the drain pump, clean the filter, and load the washer correctly. 

Keep reading to solve the issue keeping your Maytag washer from draining!

Fixing A Maytag Washer That Won’t Drain: 5 Steps

Different reasons could explain why your Maytag washer is having drainage issues. Luckily, there are various solutions you can try.

#1 Inspect the Drain Hose

When I see a Maytag washer that won’t drain, I always inspect the drain hose. If it is not properly installed or has visible signs of damage, water won’t be able to flow.

For top-load Maytag washers, ensure the drain hose doesn’t extend more than 4.5 inches into the standpipe or laundry tub. It should be at least 30 inches from the ground; otherwise, gravity will cause water to flow out of the washer.

If you have a front-load washer, the drain hose should not extend more than 5 inches into the laundry tub and shouldn’t reach higher than 96 inches from the ground.

It’s also worth mentioning that you should not tape the drain hose to the drain pipe.

If the drain hose has any kinks, you’ll experience drainage issues. Any clogs inside the hose will also inhibit the water from draining. 

Straighten out the hose pipe, remove any kinks, and unclog the hose.

#2 Use High-Efficiency Detergent

If you have a HE Maytag washer that won’t drain, you need to check your detergent.

You see, putting too much detergent or the wrong type of detergent in your Maytag HE washer can cause draining issues, as it produces excessive suds and wet loads. 

Try the following tips:

• Only use HE high-efficiency detergent in your HE washer. I find that HE detergent creates fewer suds.
• Do not overfill the washer with detergent.
• Use less detergent if you live in a soft water area.

#3 Clean the Filter and Inspect the Drain Pump

I find that most drainage issues in a Maytag washer are due to a faulty drain pump.

The drain pump is responsible for drawing water out of your washer into the drain. About 75% of the time, a slight humming sound from the motor indicates that it’s receiving power but not moving any water.

In such cases, you need to inspect the drain pump and ensure it’s not blocked. If it is, please unclog it. If you notice any signs of damage, buy a replacement part (its cost ranges from $20 to $80).

Keep in mind that replacing the drain pump in newer Maytag washers can be a bit challenging, as you’ll need to disassemble different components. So, if you have a modern model, please check the manufacturer’s manual and search for a tutorial video on YouTube.

Recommended:

Find Your Product Manual Online

It’s important to mention that Maytag front-load washers have a drain filter that must be kept clear, so the water can easily drain away from the machine. Please clean the filter to solve the problem.

#4 Load the Washer Correctly

My usual advice for preventing drainage issues on a Maytag washer is to load it correctly.

An unbalanced or overly packed load will not allow your washer to spin correctly, resulting in excess water that the machine will struggle to drain. 

Here are some tips that will help you load your washer correctly.

• Evenly arrange your load. Make sure the drum is balanced.
• Do not overfill the washer. Try keeping your washer between 25% to 75% of its maximum capacity.
• Use the RINSE+SPIN setting to remove excess water from the clothes and out of the washer. 

#5 Check the Door Switch

When fixing a Maytag washer that won’t drain, I always inspect the door switch.

If the door or lid switch is malfunctioning, it can automatically stop the drain cycle if it thinks the door is open, even when not.

Replacing a faulty door switch will depend on whether you have a front or top-load washer. So, make sure to check the user manual or watch a tutorial video.

Conclusion

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

Remember, if your Maytag washer won’t drain, you must inspect the drain hose and ensure it’s properly installed. Don’t forget to use the right detergent and check the drain pump and filter.

Maintaining your washing machine is also key. If you do, you should be able to reduce the risk of developing issues with it.

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Thanks for reading, and have a great day!

Craig