Appliance Spares
Quick answer: If your Samsung washer leaves water in the tub and won’t spin, check the cheap things first: pump filter, drain hose, then the standpipe. If those are clear, the drain pump has usually failed. The genuine Samsung drain pump DC31-00181A ($29.95) fixes most Samsung top loaders, with same-day dispatch from our Sydney warehouse.
Last updated June 2026
A Samsung washing machine that won’t drain is one of the most common faults we ship parts for. The signs are simple. The cycle stops part-way through, the machine won’t spin, and you’re left with a tub full of grey water. Before you book a technician and pay a call-out fee that’s often more than the part itself, work through a short list of checks. Most of them are free. On Samsung top loaders the culprit is usually the drain pump, and that’s a part you can replace yourself for under $30.
Why is my Samsung washing machine not draining?
If the washer can’t pump water out, it can’t move to the spin phase, so the machine either pauses mid-cycle or finishes with the drum still full. On Samsung machines you’ll usually notice one or more of these:
- Water left sitting in the tub at the end of a cycle.
- The drum won’t spin. The machine won’t spin in standing water, so it stops itself.
- The cycle stops part-way through and the timer appears to hang.
A “won’t drain” fault almost always comes down to a blockage somewhere in the drain path, or a worn-out drain pump. The drain path runs from the tub, through a filter, into the pump, and out via the drain hose to your standpipe or laundry tub. A problem anywhere along that line gives you the same symptoms, which is why you check the cheap, accessible parts first and only replace the pump once everything else is ruled out. Don’t read too much into the error display either. A drainage fault shows up in different ways across Samsung models, so let the behaviour (standing water, no spin) guide you rather than chasing a single code.
4 checks, in order, cheapest first
Work through these in sequence. Switch the machine off at the wall and have a towel and a shallow tray ready, because there will be water in the system.
1. Clean the pump filter or debris filter (free)
Front-loaders have a coin and debris filter, usually behind a small flap at the bottom-right of the front panel. Twist it out slowly so the water drains into a tray, then clear out lint, coins, hair clips and the general gunk that collects there. On many top loaders the equivalent is a pump filter accessed near the pump, so check it for the same debris. A clogged filter is the most common cause of poor draining, and it costs nothing to fix.
2. Check the drain hose for kinks or blockages (free)
Pull the machine out and inspect the drain hose along its whole length. Look for kinks, crushed sections behind the machine, or sagging loops where lint and sludge collect. Disconnect the hose end and run water through it, or feed it down to floor level into a bucket. If water gushes out, the hose was the restriction. Check the hose isn’t pushed too far down the standpipe, which can cause siphoning and false drainage faults.
3. Clear the standpipe or sink trap (free)
If the hose is clear but water still backs up, the blockage is in your plumbing, not the washer. A partly blocked standpipe or laundry-tub trap lets some water through but not enough to keep up with the pump, so the machine throws a drain fault. Pour a bucket of water down the standpipe. If it backs up, snake or clear the drain before blaming the appliance.
4. Test the drain pump (the part that usually fixes it)
If the filter, hose and standpipe are all clear and the machine still won’t drain, the drain pump itself has failed. The signs: the pump hums or buzzes but no water moves, the pump stays silent when it should run, or it runs on and off. With the power off, you can often turn the impeller by hand to check it isn’t jammed by a foreign object. If it’s seized or the motor is dead, the pump needs replacing. On Samsung top loaders this is very commonly the genuine DC31-00181A drain pump, a cheap, DIY-friendly fix.
Which drain pump fits my Samsung washer?
The part that resolves most “won’t drain” faults on Samsung top loaders is the genuine drain pump below.
| Part number | Fits these models | Genuine/Compatible | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 DC31-00181A | Common across Samsung top-load washing machines | Genuine Samsung | $29.95 |
The DC31-00181A is a genuine Samsung drain pump and a frequent failure point on Samsung top loaders. Being the OEM part, it matches the original mounting, connector and flow rate exactly, so there’s no guesswork on fitment. Confirm the part number against your machine’s model sticker before ordering. On a top loader the sticker is usually around the lid opening or the back panel, and it lists the full model number you can match to the part. If you’re not certain, our part finder quiz will point you to the right pump for your exact model.
When to call a tech vs DIY
Replacing a drain pump on a Samsung top loader is a beginner-friendly job. If you can isolate the power and water, lay the machine over to reach the pump, and undo a couple of clips and a wiring connector, you can do this yourself in well under an hour. The $29.95 part is a fraction of a typical call-out fee.
Call a technician if the fault returns straight away after a new pump, which points to a control-board or wiring issue. Same goes if the machine is leaking from the tub or a cracked component rather than just failing to drain, or if you’re not comfortable tipping the machine to reach the pump. Otherwise this is one of the more satisfying DIY appliance fixes you’ll do.
For the full strip-down with photos and clip-by-clip instructions, see our companion guide: how to replace the Samsung drain pump (DC31-00181A), samsung-washing-machine-drain-pump-dc31-00181a.
Parts that fix this
In stock now and dispatched the same day from Sydney (order before 12pm). Not sure which one fits your model? Find your model number and match it against the fitment list on the part page before you order.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Samsung washing machine drain pump?
The genuine Samsung drain pump DC31-00181A is $29.95 at Oz Appliance Spares, with same-day dispatch from our Sydney warehouse on orders placed before cut-off.
Is the DC31-00181A a genuine Samsung part?
Yes. The DC31-00181A we supply is a genuine Samsung drain pump, so it matches the original mounting, electrical connector and flow rate exactly, with no fitment guesswork.
Will this pump fit my Samsung model?
The DC31-00181A is common across Samsung top-load washing machines. Always cross-check the part number against your machine’s model sticker (around the lid opening or back panel). If you’re unsure, run our part finder quiz and we’ll confirm the right pump for your model.
How long does delivery take?
We dispatch same-day from our Sydney warehouse on orders placed before the daily cut-off, then it ships Australia-wide. Most metro customers receive their part within a couple of business days.
Can I replace the drain pump myself?
Yes. On a Samsung top loader it’s a beginner-friendly job, usually under an hour. Turn off the power and water, clear the filter and hose first to confirm the pump is the fault, then swap the pump following our step-by-step how-to guide.
My Samsung washer hums but won’t drain, is it the pump?
Often, yes. A pump that hums or buzzes without moving water is usually jammed by debris or has a failed motor. Check the filter and impeller for a foreign object first; if the impeller is seized or the pump is dead, replace it with the DC31-00181A.
Don’t pay a call-out fee for a $29.95 fix
If you’ve cleared the filter, hose and standpipe and your Samsung washer still won’t drain, the drain pump is almost certainly the cause, and it’s a quick, cheap DIY swap. We stock the genuine Samsung DC31-00181A drain pump and dispatch same-day from our Sydney warehouse, so you can have your machine running again within days.
Buy the genuine Samsung DC31-00181A drain pump →
Not sure it’s the right part? Browse our full washing machine parts store or use the part finder quiz to match the exact pump to your model.
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.
