Appliance Spares
Quick answer: An LG washer sitting full of water has one of three problems: a blocked pump filter (front loaders — free to clear), a kinked or siphoning drain hose (free), or a failed drain pump — a $19.95–$39.95 part on both front and top loaders. Front loaders usually flag the problem with a drain error on the display; top loaders just stop with the load soaking. Work through it cheapest first — most of the time you won’t need a repairer.
Find the right LG part by model number — or see the complete LG washing machine repair guide. Seeing a drain error code on the display? Go straight to our LG OE drain error deep-dive.
Match the symptom to the cause
| What you see | Most likely cause | Cost to fix |
|---|---|---|
| Water in the drum, pump completely silent | Failed drain pump or no power to it | $19.95–$39.95 |
| Pump hums or buzzes, nothing moves | Coin or sock jammed in the impeller — or a stripped impeller | $0, or a new pump |
| Drains slowly, cycle times out with a drain error | Half-blocked filter, kinked hose, or hose too deep in the standpipe | $0 |
| Rattling noise during the drain | Loose change in the pump chamber | $0 |
| Top loader washes but won’t empty | Top-loader drain pump failed | $39.95 |
Step 1: The free fixes (do these first)
Front loaders: open the small access door at the bottom front, put down towels and a shallow tray, and unscrew the pump filter slowly — the drum drains through this opening, so let it come out in stages. Coins, hair ties and socks collect here and are the single most common reason an LG stops draining. Clear it, screw it back, run a rinse and spin.
All machines: check the drain hose behind the machine. It must run without kinks and sit no more than about 100–150 mm into the standpipe — deeper and the machine can siphon, drain slowly and time out. If the hose drains into a tub or sink, make sure the end isn’t underwater.
Cleared everything and it still won’t empty? The pump itself is the fault.
Step 2: Confirm the pump has failed
Start a spin or drain cycle and listen at the bottom front (front loaders) or the base of the cabinet (top loaders). Silence means the pump motor has died or isn’t being fed power; a hum with no flow, after you’ve cleared the filter, means the impeller is stripped or seized. Either way the cure is the same — a new pump, and on LG machines it’s a genuinely cheap part.
Step 3: Fit the right pump
| Your machine | Drain pump | Price |
|---|---|---|
 LG front loaders (Plaset-type pump) | Genuine LG Plaset drain pump 5859EN1004J | $39.29 |
 LG front loaders (Hanyu-type pump) | Genuine LG Hanyu drain pump with overload protection | $19.95 |
 LG top loaders (WTG7520, WTG8521) | LG top-loader drain pump for WTG7520 and WTG8521 | $39.95 |
LG fitted different pump makes across production runs of the same series, so match the pump on the listing to your model number — it’s on the model sticker around the door opening (front loaders) or under the lid (top loaders). Quickest way: run the model number through the Part Finder.
The pump swap, step by step
- Unplug the machine, turn off the taps, and drain the remaining water through the filter opening.
- Front loaders: tilt the machine back against a wall or lay it gently on its side — the pump is mounted behind the filter housing and comes out from below. Top loaders: the pump is under the bowl, reached from the rear or base panel.
- Photograph the wiring and hoses, then unplug the connector, release the clamps and pull the hoses off.
- Unscrew the pump (usually three screws), fit the new one, and reconnect everything as photographed.
- Run a short rinse and spin, watching the filter housing for drips, before pushing the machine back.
Allow 30–60 minutes with a screwdriver and pliers. No special tools, no gas, no sealed refrigeration circuit — this is honest DIY territory.
Repair cost vs a service call (Australia 2026)
| Option | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Clear the filter and hose yourself | $0 |
| DIY drain pump | $19.95–$39.95 |
| Repairer callout plus the same part and labour | commonly $180–$300 |
| New LG washer | $800–$1,800 |
The 50% rule: a sub-$40 pump against a four-figure machine is the easiest repair decision you’ll make all year.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my LG washing machine not draining?
Nine times out of ten it’s a blocked pump filter, a kinked or siphoning drain hose, or a failed drain pump — in that order. The free checks take ten minutes; the pump is a $19.95–$39.95 part.
How do I get the water out so I can open the door?
Open the access flap at the bottom front and unscrew the pump filter slowly over a tray — the drum empties through it. Most LG front loaders also have a small manual drain hose tucked beside the filter.
My LG shows a drain error on the display — same fix?
Yes — the drain error is the machine telling you it couldn’t empty in time. Read our LG OE error code guide for the code-specific detail, then follow the same filter-hose-pump sequence.
How do I find my LG model number?
On the model sticker around the door opening or under the lid. 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.
Related
- LG washing machine OE error code — drain fault fix
- LG washing machine repair — the complete Australian guide
- Washing machine not draining — causes and fixes for every brand
- All LG drain pumps in stock
Ready to fix it?
- Run your model number through the Oz Appliance Spares Part Finder — model in, exact-fit part out.
- Browse thousands of parts in stock
- 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.
