Soaking wet clothes, a puddle of water in the washer, and even messy leaks are all signs of draining problems. Why is my GE front load washer not draining water? The drain hose may be kinked or blocked by an obstruction. Gently straighten any kinks or disconnect the hose to locate and remove blockages. If that doesn’t fix the problem, follow our GE front load washer troubleshooting tips to get to the bottom of drainage issues.
Diagnosing a GE Front Load Washer Not Draining
While a GE front load washer not draining properly may require a professional repair, most solutions involve a simple DIY fix. We’ll specify the most likely reasons for draining problems and the right solutions.
How to Drain Water Manually
If your GE washer does not drain the remaining water in the wash tub you may need to drain it manually. Front load vs top load washers have a drain pump filter that can be accessed to drain the water without causing leaks.
Follow these steps to manually drain water from a GE washer:
- Use a screwdriver or small coin to open the pump filter access door on the bottom right corner of the washer. Pull down the drain channel.
- Position a shallow dish under the drain channel to contain draining water. Protect the floor by placing a towel beneath the dish.
- Slowly turn the filter counterclockwise before removing it completely. At least a quart of water may be released. If the dish fills with water, replace the filter and dispose of the water before resuming draining.
- When all the water is drained, slide the filter back in its housing and turn clockwise to lock in place.
- Lift up the drain channel and close the filter access door.
Blocked or Kinked Drain Hose
A clogged or kinked GE washing machine drain hose can also cause draining problems. If the hose is blocked by an obstruction or kinks, water won’t be able to flow freely and can back up into the washer.
Here’s how to assess for drain hose kinks or blockages:
- Unplug the washer and turn off the water supply valve.
- Move the washer away from the wall to access the hose.
- Disconnect the hose from the washer or stand pipe and gently untwist it to remove any kinks.
- If there are no kinks, inspect the hose for blockages like lint or coins and carefully remove them. You may need to disconnect the hose at the opposite end to reach the obstruction.
- Reattach the drain hose to the stand pipe and/or washer.
- Plug the washer back in, position it in place and turn on the water supply valve.
- If the hose is damaged or the blockage is unreachable, the hose must be replaced.
Clogged Drain Pump Filter
A clogged drain pump filter can also result in a GE washer not draining properly. This filter catches any lint or small, loose objects like coins or buttons, to prevent them from harming the drain pump. However, draining issues can occur if the pump becomes clogged with these items. Our washer cleaning tips include regular pump filter cleanings to prevent clogs and draining problems.
The following steps detail how to clean a GE drain pump filter and remove clogs:
- Use a screwdriver or small coin to open the pump filter access door and pull down the drain channel.
- Place a shallow dish on top of a towel under the drain channel to catch any lingering water.
- Turn the filter slowly counterclockwise to lessen the amount of water that’s released.
- When water is done draining, remove the filter and dispose of any debris.
- Slide the filter back in its housing and turn clockwise to secure.
- Lift up the drain channel and close the filter access door.
GE Washer Parts Failure
If all else fails, a GE front load washer not draining water may be due to a part failure.
These part malfunctions can result in draining issues and require a professional replacement:
- Faulty drain pump: While blockages can be removed from the pump to restore its function, a faulty pump must be replaced to drain water properly.
- Failed door lock or switch: If the door lock is damaged or the switch fails electrically the washer won’t won’t receive the signal to begin spinning and draining.
- Broken door strike: A damaged door strike won’t properly fit the door lock mechanism. When the door closes, it may not remain secure or signal the washer to begin spinning and draining.
Callahan’s Appliance is North Dallas’ premier washing machine repair service. We can fix a GE washer not draining water or solve any laundry appliance problem.
