Bosch Washing Machine Not Draining

Quick answer: A Bosch front loader that won’t drain almost always comes down to one of two things: a blocked pump filter (free to clear — it’s behind the kick panel at the bottom right) or a failed drain pump. If the machine hums but no water moves, or it’s silent when it should be pumping out, the pump has died. A replacement Bosch drain pump with filter housing is $49.95 for most WAW, WAP, WGA and WTG models and it’s a 45-minute DIY job — no need to pull the machine apart.

Find the right Bosch part by model number

Match the symptom to the fault

What you see	What you hear	Most likely cause
Water sitting in the drum at the end of the cycle	Nothing when it should be pumping out	Failed drain pump
Drains very slowly, clothes come out soaked	Normal pump noise, weak flow	Blocked pump filter or kinked hose
Drain error on the display	A hum or buzz, no water moving	Jammed or burnt-out pump
Drains fine, then stops mid-cycle	Rattling during the drain	Coin or bra wire in the pump chamber

Not sure which part?Enter your model number and the Part Finder returns only parts confirmed to fit.

Find my part

If your display is showing a drain-related error, our Bosch E18 error guide and full Bosch error code list cover what the machine is telling you.

Why Bosch washers stop draining

Bosch front loaders drain through a small synchronous pump at the bottom front of the machine. Everything the wash picks up — coins, hair clips, bra wires, lint — funnels through the coin trap filter that screws into the front of that pump. Two failure modes account for nearly every case:

The filter clogs. Lint and debris slowly choke the trap until water can’t get through. This is the free fix, and it’s where you always start.
The pump wears out. The impeller bearing dries out or the winding fails, usually after years of service. A jammed coin can also snap the impeller. Once the pump hums without moving water — or does nothing at all — it needs replacing.

Confirm the fault in five minutes

Switch off at the wall and unplug. There will be water — lay towels down and have a shallow tray ready.
Open the kick panel at the bottom front of the machine and slowly unscrew the round filter cap. Let the water drain into the tray.
Clear the trap. Pull out lint, coins and anything else. You’d be surprised how often this alone fixes it.
Spin the impeller. With the filter out, reach into the opening and flick the small plastic impeller. It should turn freely with slight notchy resistance. Jammed solid, wobbly or spinning with no resistance at all points to a dead pump.
Test a drain-and-spin cycle. If the machine still won’t pump out with a clear filter and a free hose, the pump is your part.

The part that fixes it

Part	Best for	Price
Bosch drain pump with filter 00145093	WAW28460AU and related WAW-series models — complete pump and filter housing	$49.95
Bosch drain pump with filter for WAP28380AU / WAP28482AU	WAP-series front loaders	$49.95
Bosch drain pump with filter for WGA244U0AU / WTG86400AU	WGA-series washers (also listed for the WTG86400AU)	$49.95
Bosch drain pump 00145894 for WAU28490AU / WAP282602W	WAU-series machines — also see the full parts guide for the WAU28490A	$99.95

Not sure which one fits? Your model number is on the model sticker inside the door opening or on the door frame — run it through the Part Finder for the exact-fit pump.

Replacing the pump, step by step

Unplug the machine and drain it via the filter cap as above.
Tilt the machine back or lay it gently on its side on a blanket — on most Bosch models the pump is reached from underneath, no cabinet tear-down needed.
Photograph the wiring, then unclip the electrical connector from the pump.
Release the hose clamps on the sump hose and drain hose, and free the pump housing from its mounting screws or bayonet fitting.
Fit the new pump in reverse order, making sure the hose clamps seat properly.
Stand the machine up, run a short rinse-and-spin, and check under the filter cap for leaks.

Allow about 45 minutes with basic hand tools.

Repair cost summary (Australia 2026)

Fix	Cost	Time
Clear the pump filter yourself	$0	10 minutes
New drain pump with filter (DIY)	$49.95–$99.95	about 45 minutes
Repairer callout plus the same part	$180–$300+	wait for a booking
New Bosch front loader	$1,000–$2,000	—

The 50% rule: a drain pump is one of the cheapest parts on the machine. On any Bosch washer that’s otherwise sound, replacing the pump is always worth it — the part is under a twentieth of the cost of a new machine.

Frequently asked questions

My Bosch washing machine hums but won’t drain — what does that mean?

The pump motor is getting power but the impeller can’t move water — either something is jammed in the chamber or the pump has failed. Clear the filter first; if it still hums with a clear trap, replace the pump.

What does the Bosch E18 error mean?

It’s Bosch’s drain fault code — the machine couldn’t empty in the expected time. It’s covered step by step in our Bosch E18 error guide.

How often should I clean the Bosch pump filter?

Every two to three months in normal use — more often with pet hair or heavily linting loads. A clean trap is the best insurance the pump has.

Where is my Bosch model number?

On the model sticker just inside the door opening, on the door frame itself. It starts with three letters, such as WAW, WAU, WAP or WGA. Enter it in the Part Finder for the exact-fit pump.

Do these parts ship same day?

Yes — order before 12pm Sydney time for same-day dispatch Australia-wide, flat $10.60 shipping.

Ready to fix it?

Run your model number through the Oz Appliance Spares Part Finder — model in, exact-fit part out.
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Order before 12pm Sydney time → ships same day from our Sydney Northern Beaches warehouse, Australia-wide.

Disclaimer: this article is general information only and is provided without warranty of any kind. Appliance designs vary between models and production runs — always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, switch off and unplug the appliance before starting any work, and confirm parts against the model number on your appliance’s model sticker. Any repair is undertaken at your own risk and Oz Appliance Spares accepts no liability for injury, loss or damage arising from work performed after reading this guide, to the maximum extent permitted by law. If in doubt, use a qualified technician.