Why Your Washer Won't Drain (and When It's the Pump)

Nine times out of ten a washer full of standing water has a clogged drain pump or a sock jammed in the filter trap — front-loaders hide it behind a small door at the bottom front. Check the drain hose for kinks, make sure the standpipe isn't clogged, and clean the pump filter. If the pump hums but nothing moves, or it's silent entirely, the pump or lid switch has failed and it's time for a repair call.

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