Appliance Spares
Full guide → Washing machine won’t drain? The free 10-minute check that fixes most — the complete filter, standpipe and drain pump walkthrough, with the pumps we stock by brand.
Oz Appliance Spares, Sydney warehouse, 20+ years in Australian appliance parts · Updated 2026-08-17
Quick answer: When a washing machine is not draining, the fault is one of four things, in this order of likelihood: a blocked pump filter, a kinked or badly-routed drain hose, a jammed pump impeller, or a failed drain pump. The first three cost nothing to fix and take under 20 minutes. Only the fourth needs a part — a drain pump matched to your model, usually $35–$50.
The 4-step fix, in order
| Step | What to do | Fixes it when… |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pump filter | Open the small hatch at the bottom front (front loaders), put a towel and tray down, twist the filter out, clear coins, lint and hair bands. | Water drains slowly or stops mid-cycle. The cause in roughly half of all cases. |
| 2. Drain hose | Check the hose is not kinked behind the machine, sits 60–100 cm above the floor, and is not pushed too far into the standpipe. | The machine drains sometimes, or siphons water back in. |
| 3. Pump impeller | With the filter out, shine a torch into the housing and turn the impeller by hand — it should click freely in small steps. Free any jammed object. | You hear a hum but no drain, or a rattle while draining. |
| 4. Drain pump | Impeller free, hose clear, filter clean — but still no drain, or a quiet pump with no hum: the pump winding has failed. Replace the pump. | Everything above checks out. Match the pump to your model number. |
Find the fix for your brand
Every brand throws its own error code for the same fault. These guides cover the code, the test and the exact part:
| Brand | Code shown | Guide / part |
|---|---|---|
 Hisense | E2 / F4 | Hisense not draining guide · drain fix kit |
 Haier | E2 / ERR2 | Haier not draining guide · drain fix kit |
| LG | OE | LG repair guide (OE section) |
| Bosch | E18 | Bosch E18 guide |
| Westinghouse / Simpson / Electrolux | E20 / E2 | E-code guide for all three brands |
 Beko | — | Beko drain fix kit |
Not listed? Type your model number into the search bar — drain pumps are matched by model, and we stock them for most brands sold in Australia with same-day Sydney dispatch before 12pm.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my washing machine not draining?
In order of likelihood: blocked pump filter, kinked drain hose, jammed pump impeller, failed drain pump. Work through them in that order — the first three are free.
How do I force my washing machine to drain so I can open it?
Use the emergency drain tube next to the pump filter (front loaders), or lower the drain hose into a bucket below drum height and let gravity siphon it. Then open the filter.
Is it worth replacing a drain pump myself?
Yes — on most machines the pump is behind the front kick panel, held by two or three screws and a hose clamp. It is a 30–45 minute job with a towel and a torch, against a $150–$250 call-out.
The pump runs but water still will not drain — what now?
That is almost never the pump. Check the drain hose for a blockage where it joins the standpipe, and the sump-to-pump hose for a sock — the classic hidden culprit.
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.
