LG washing machine not draining

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 LG fault codes that point at this

A LG 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:

• 1E — The machine isn't filling with water quickly enough, so it has stopped and flagged a water inlet problem.
• AE — Water has been detected in the base of the machine, so LG's anti-flood sensor has shut the wash down to stop a leak spreading across your floor.
• OE — Your LG washer hasn't managed to empty the water out within the time it expects, so it has stopped with a drum full of water.
• PE — Your LG washing machine can't tell how much water is in the drum, so it stops rather than risk under- or overfilling.

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 LG 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

1. Switch the machine off at the wall before touching anything
2. 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
3. Clear whatever is in the filter, and turn the impeller behind it with a finger to check it spins freely
4. 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

Common questions

Why is my LG 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 LG 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 LG error codes mean not draining?

LG washing machines report this through their own fault codes. The ones that point at not draining are 1E, AE, OE, PE. 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 LG 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 LG 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

Repairs we cover near you

• Washing Machine Repairs — what we charge and how it works
• Washing Machine Repairs in Nottingham
• Washing Machine Repairs in Arnold
• Washing Machine Repairs in Beeston
• Washing Machine Repairs in Bulwell

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs from our own repair notes. See also our general guide to washing machines not draining and our LG repairs page.