What is actually happening
Near the end of a wash the machine runs its drain pump to empty the drum before it spins. If the water level sensor still reads full after that pump has run for its allotted time, the machine stops rather than attempting to spin a drum full of water. Almost always the pump is running but nothing is moving — which is why people often say they can hear it trying.
The Blomberg fault codes that point at this
A Blomberg washing machine will usually tell you what it thinks is wrong before anyone opens it up. These are the codes we hold for this make that relate to not draining:
- E05 — The machine cannot get the water out — the drain pump either isn't turning or isn't being driven by the control board.
- E07 — The machine can't tell how much water is in the drum, so it stops rather than risk overfilling.
- E12 — The machine has found water where it shouldn't be — the level has risen to the point the anti-flood (aquastop) safety trips, so it has shut the wash down.
- E21 — The machine has decided there is more water in the drum than the pump can safely deal with, so it has stopped rather than carry on.
- E25 — The control panel and the machine's main circuit board have stopped talking to each other.
- E28 — The control board isn't getting the confirmation signal that the door is locked, so the machine refuses to start or fill.
- F05 — The machine has failed to get the water out, and it has flagged the drain pump as the problem.
- F07 — The machine thinks it cannot get a trustworthy reading of the water level in the drum, so it empties itself and refuses to start a programme.
If yours is showing one of those, that is a much shorter conversation than a general fault — tell us the code when you book and the engineer can often carry the part.
The usual causes on a Blomberg washing machine
- A blocked pump filter — coins, hair grips, buttons and screws collect there and it is by far the most common cause
- A sock or similar pulled through the drum and jammed in the pump impeller
- A kinked or blocked drain hose, or a blocked standpipe / sink trap where the hose empties
- A failed drain pump — it hums but the impeller does not turn
- A blocked pressure chamber hose, so the machine wrongly believes the drum is still full
What you can safely check yourself
- Switch the machine off at the wall before touching anything
- Open the small hatch at the bottom front, have a towel and a shallow tray ready, and unscrew the filter — expect a lot of water
- Clear whatever is in the filter, and turn the impeller behind it with a finger to check it spins freely
- Check the drain hose behind the machine for kinks, and pour a jug of water down the standpipe or sink trap to confirm it runs away
Still not draining?
If the checks above have not sorted it, it needs looking at properly. £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Our engineers work on Blomberg machines week in, week out, so they arrive knowing the machine rather than reading the back of it. Local engineers across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.
Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need
Common questions
Why is my Blomberg washing machine not draining?
The cycle has stopped with water still sitting in the drum, because the machine cannot get the water out. Near the end of a wash the machine runs its drain pump to empty the drum before it spins. If the water level sensor still reads full after that pump has run for its allotted time, the machine stops rather than attempting to spin a drum full of water. Almost always the pump is running but nothing is moving — which is why people often say they can hear it trying.
Can I fix a Blomberg washing machine not draining myself?
Switch the machine off at the wall before touching anything. Open the small hatch at the bottom front, have a towel and a shallow tray ready, and unscrew the filter — expect a lot of water. Clear whatever is in the filter, and turn the impeller behind it with a finger to check it spins freely. Check the drain hose behind the machine for kinks, and pour a jug of water down the standpipe or sink trap to confirm it runs away. Those checks fix it more often than not.
What Blomberg error codes mean not draining?
Blomberg washing machines report this through their own fault codes. The ones that point at not draining are E05, E07, E12, E21, E25, E28. If your machine is showing one of those, that narrows it down considerably — each has its own guide on this site.
How much does a Blomberg washing machine repair cost?
£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Other Blomberg washing machine faults
- washing machine not spinning
- washing machine leaking water
- washing machine making a loud noise
- washing machine not heating the water
- washing machine door will not open
- washing machine will not turn on