Puddle woes and sopping wet clothes are clear signs of washer draining problems. Are you wondering, “why is my Maytag washer not draining? A drain hose kink or clog can block water flow, causing it to back up into the washer. Learn more reasons your washer won’t drain, from user errors to part malfunctions, and how to solve the problem.
How to Fix a Maytag Washer Not Draining
How do you fix a washing machine that won’t drain? Sometimes a simple adjustment to your loading practices or cycle selection can do the trick. In other instances, only a professional repair will do. We’ll detail how to diagnose a Maytag washer not draining and find the right solution.
Drain Hose is Kinked or Clogged
The drain hose connects your washer to the drain pipe, allowing used water to exit the washer drum. A hose that’s kinked or clogged by lint or debris causes a washing machine not to drain because water can’t bypass the blockage. This often results in puddles in the washer drum or leaking.
To remove any kinks, disconnect the hose clamp at the washer and gently straighten the hose. The hose must also be unclamped to assess any blockages inside. If the blockage can’t be removed via one end, the hose may need to be unclamped at the drain pipe to remove the clog. Damage or blockages that can’t be cleared means the hose must be replaced.
Maytag Washer is Overloaded
Are your clothes still wet after wash cycle ends even if the machine is draining properly? A tightly packed wash load can cause the machine to be off balance, which can affect the spin cycle and leave clothes wet. Wash large items separately or with 1 or 2 smaller pieces for better balance. To avoid overloading, check your user manual to determine your washer’s exact capacity. Generally, filling the washer only ¾ of the way full can prevent overloading issues.
Incorrect Cycle Selection
If your washer won’t spin out all the water, check to make sure you’ve selected the right wash cycle. Some settings, such as Delicate or Hand Wash, have slower spin speeds or no spinning at all to avoid harming fragile fabrics. If your washer isn’t spinning clothes dry, select a wash cycle with higher spin speeds to extract as much water as possible. Make sure you check your clothing labels first to make sure they can tolerate a stronger spin cycle.
Clogged Drain Pump or Drain Pump Filter
Most front load washers have a drain pump filter to prevent lint and foreign objects from clogging the drain pump. However, the filter can become blocked with these items, causing any draining water to back up into the washer. Regular cleaning of the drain pump filter can prevent clogs and ensure the washer drains properly. Usually, the filter is accessed behind a front panel on the bottom of the washer and is easily twisted and removed for cleaning.
Sometimes, foreign objects or small pieces of clothing bypass a clogged filter and block the drain pump. When this happens, the washer won’t drain properly. Consult your user manual to determine how to access the drain pump on your model machine and look for blockages. If there are no visible blockages, the drain pump may have failed and requires a professional assessment.
Defective Lid Switch Assembly
A top load Maytag washer not draining may have a defective lid switch assembly. On top-loading washers, draining and spinning will only occur if the lid is properly closed and activates the switch. Try depressing the lid switch with your finger to see if the machine drains and spins. If nothing happens and the switch shows a lack of continuity with multimeter testing, it may need to be replaced.
Need some help fixing a Maytag washer not draining? Consult the team at Just-in Time Appliance! Our experts can handle any Maytag washer repair.
