Whirlpool washing machine not draining: causes & fix

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 Whirlpool fault codes that point at this

A Whirlpool 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:

C03 — C03 isn't a breakdown code — it's one stage of the machine's built-in service test, the part that runs the pumps.
C05 — C05 isn't a breakdown code — it's the last step of the engineer's built-in test routine, where the machine cuts power to the motor, lets the drum brake to a stop, releases the door and shuts itself down.
F00 — The control board can't switch the drain pump on properly, so the machine stops rather than trying to empty itself.
F09 — The machine thinks there is too much water inside, so it has stopped filling and will normally try to pump out instead of carrying on.
F15 — The washing machine has lost confidence in the electronics that drive the motor, so it has shut the cycle down rather than spin the drum.
F16 — The washing machine's main control board has reported an internal fault in itself, so the machine stops rather than carrying on.
F22 — The washing machine's control board has flagged a fault it can't recover from, so it halts the programme — usually with the drum refusing to turn.

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 Whirlpool 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 Whirlpool 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 Whirlpool 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 Whirlpool 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 Whirlpool error codes mean not draining?

Whirlpool washing machines report this through their own fault codes. The ones that point at not draining are C03, C05, F00, F09, F15, F16. 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 Whirlpool 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 Whirlpool washing machine faults

Repairs we cover near you

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

Whirlpool washing machine not draining