Washing Machine Not Draining? Common Error Codes by Brand and What to Check First

If your washing machine is not draining, you may be left with standing water in the drum, soaking-wet clothes, a cycle that stops mid-way, or an error code on the display. In many cases, the issue comes from a blocked drain path, a kinked hose, a clogged pump filter, a weak drain pump, or an installation problem.

This guide covers washing machine not draining error codes by brand, including LG OE, Whirlpool F9E1, Frigidaire E2 and E21, Samsung 5C and 5E, Bosch E18, and more.

Common Signs of a Washer Drain Problem

• Water remains in the drum after the cycle
• Clothes come out soaking wet
• The washer stops before spin finishes
• The machine makes a humming or draining sound for too long
• The door stays locked on some front-load models
• The washer displays a drain-related error code

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Safe First Checks a Homeowner Can Do

• Unplug the washer before inspecting anything
• Check the drain hose behind the machine for kinks, crushing, or pinching
• Make sure the standpipe or household drain is not backing up
• If your model has a drain pump filter, check and clean it
• Look for small objects such as coins, lint, socks, or debris blocking the drain path
• If the laundry room is very cold, consider whether the drain hose could be frozen
• Run a drain and spin or spin-only cycle after clearing any obvious blockage

If the washer is still full of water, keep towels and a shallow container ready before opening any service flap or filter area.

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Common Washing Machine Drain Error Codes by Brand

Not every washer model uses the same code, so the exact model number still matters. But these are some of the most common drain-related codes homeowners run into across major brands.

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Solutions by Brand

LG Washer Not Draining: OE Error Code

If your LG washer is not draining and shows OE, LG commonly points to a kinked drain hose, a clogged drain pump filter, or a frozen hose on some installations.

• Check the drain hose for bends or crushing
• Clean the drain pump filter if your model has one
• Run a spin-only cycle to test drain function

For LG-specific service help, visit our LG Appliance Repair page.

Whirlpool Washer Not Draining: F9E1 or A10

If a Whirlpool washer is not draining, common codes include F9E1 on many top-load and front-load models and A10 on some compact front-load models. These usually point to long-drain conditions, drain hose problems, or filter restrictions.

• Check for a kinked or clogged drain hose
• Make sure the hose is not inserted too far into the standpipe
• On compact models, check whether the hose is installed too high
• On some front-load models, clean the drain pump filter

For Whirlpool-specific service help, visit our Whirlpool Appliance Repair page.

Maytag and Amana Washer Not Draining: F9E1

On many Maytag and Amana washers, F9E1 means the machine is taking too long to drain. The most common checks are the drain hose, the standpipe setup, and the drain pump filter on front-load models.

• Check the drain hose for blockage or kinks
• Make sure the hose is installed correctly
• Clean the drain pump filter if your model uses one

For brand-specific support, see Maytag Appliance Repair or Amana Appliance Repair.

Frigidaire Washer Not Draining: E2 or E21

If a Frigidaire washer is not draining, top-load models commonly use E2 for water taking too long to drain, while many front-load families in the Electrolux/Frigidaire group use E21 for water not pumping out fast enough.

• Straighten a kinked drain hose
• Check for clogging or restrictions in the hose or standpipe
• Confirm the drain setup is installed correctly

For Frigidaire-specific support, visit our Frigidaire Appliance Repair page.

Samsung Washer Not Draining: 5C, 5E, or nd

If your Samsung washer is not draining, common drain codes include 5C, 5E, and nd. Samsung commonly points to drain filter blockage, hose blockage, hose routing problems, or a drain pump issue.

• Clean the drain filter on front-load models
• Check the drain hose for blockage or kinks
• Run a drain or spin cycle after clearing the obstruction

For Samsung-specific support, visit our Samsung Appliance Repair page.

Bosch Washer Not Draining: E18, F18, or d02

When a Bosch washer is not draining, the machine may display E18, F18, or d02 depending on the model. Bosch commonly ties these codes to a blocked pump or kinked drain hose.

• Check and clean the pump area if accessible
• Check the drain hose for kinks or blockage
• Drain residual water carefully before opening service areas

For Bosch-specific support, visit our Bosch Appliance Repair page.

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Which Brands and Models This Applies To

This page applies broadly to many:

• front-load washing machines
• top-load washing machines
• washer-dryer combo units
• compact washers
• major brands such as LG, Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, Frigidaire, Samsung, Bosch, and Electrolux

Because washer control systems vary by model, the exact meaning of an error code can differ slightly. That is why the brand and model number are always important when the same symptom keeps returning.

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When to Stop DIY and Call for Repair

• The washer stays full of water
• The machine repeatedly throws the same drain code after hose and filter checks
• The drain pump hums but water barely moves
• The washer will not unlock properly
• You suspect a pump failure, control issue, or wiring problem
• You are not comfortable opening service areas with water still inside

At that point, it is usually more efficient to book professional diagnosis instead of restarting the cycle over and over.

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Washer Repair Help

If your washing machine is not draining properly, service may be needed to inspect the drain hose, drain pump filter, drain pump, standpipe, control response, and related components.

You can also visit our Washing Machine Repair page for general washer service help.

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Frequently Asked Questions About a Washing Machine Not Draining

Why is my washing machine not draining but still spinning a little?

A partial clog, weak drain pump, or slow standpipe can allow some water out without letting the washer finish draining properly.

What is the most common reason a washer will not drain?

The most common causes are a kinked drain hose, a clogged pump filter, a blocked drain path, or a drain pump problem.

Can I reset a washer that is not draining?

You can power the washer off and back on, but if the real drain problem is still there, the error code or symptom usually returns.

Do top-load and front-load washers use the same drain error codes?

No. Even within the same brand, front-load and top-load models can use different drain codes and different troubleshooting steps.

Should I keep trying to run the washer if it has standing water inside?

It is usually better to stop, check the drain path, and avoid repeated failed cycles that may put extra strain on the pump.

Model-specific differences do happen, so the exact owner’s manual for the washer model is still worth checking.