Whirlpool Top Load Washer Not Draining: Step by Step Fixes for Beginners

Introduction: Why a Washer That Won’t Drain Is More Fixable Than You Think

You opened the lid and found standing water, now your Whirlpool top load washer not draining. Frustrating, yes, but very common; clogged hoses, lint buildup, or a jammed pump cause the majority of stops. Most fixes are simple, inexpensive, and doable with basic tools.

This guide walks you through fast checks and step by step fixes, from clearing the drain hose and lint trap, to testing the lid switch and inspecting the pump. I will tell you what to look for, what tools you need, how long each task takes, and which fixes are safe for beginners.

If a repair needs electrical work or a new pump, I will show how to spot that, and when calling a technician makes more sense.

Quick Safety Checklist Before You Start

Always unplug the machine and turn off the water supply before you touch anything. Gather tools: flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, needle nose pliers, bucket, towels, rubber gloves, and a multimeter if you’ll test the pump. Remove jewelry, avoid standing on wet floors, and keep the lid propped open. These steps prevent shock, flooding, and damage when diagnosing a Whirlpool top load washer not draining.

How a Whirlpool Top Load Washer Actually Drains

Water leaves the tub through holes in the wash drum, flows into the tub outlet, then into the drain pump. The pump pushes water out through the drain hose, which dumps into your laundry standpipe or floor drain. Key parts you will encounter when diagnosing a Whirlpool top load washer not draining are the drain pump and pump motor, the pump filter or trap, the drain hose, the standpipe, and electrical items like the lid switch or control board.

If the pump hums but water stays, check the pump filter and hose for trapped socks, lint or coins. If you hear nothing, test the lid switch or pump motor power. Also look for a kinked hose or a clogged standpipe as simple, common causes.

Common Causes of "Not Draining" and How to Spot Them Fast

If your Whirlpool top load washer not draining, here are the most likely culprits and the quick signs to spot each one fast.

Clogged drain hose: water stays in the tub and the hose end shows lint or debris when you pull it out.
Kinked or improperly routed hose: water trickles back into the drum, or the hose has a visible sharp bend behind the machine.
Faulty drain pump: you hear a humming or grinding noise but no water moves during drain or spin.
Foreign object stuck in pump or filter: rattling during spin, or you find coins, socks, or buttons when you check the pump trap.
Lid switch failure: washer won’t enter drain or spin, pushing the lid down does not change behavior.
Clogged household drain or standpipe: water drains slowly from other sinks or comes back up when the washer drains.
Overloaded or unbalanced load: drum is heavy and clothes are bunched, cycle stops with water still inside.
Control board or timer issue: drain cycle does not start at the scheduled time, and other functions behave erratically.

Scan these signs in five minutes, and you’ll know which fix to try first.

Troubleshooting Checklist, In the Right Order

Start here, in this exact order, to avoid wasted work and false part swaps.

1. Quick power and cycle check, about 2 to 3 minutes. Unplug the machine, wait 30 seconds, plug back in, run a Drain/Spin cycle and listen. No pump noise suggests an electrical or pump problem.

2. Lid switch test, about 2 minutes. Close the lid and try a spin. If the tub locks but still won’t drain, move on.

3. Inspect the drain hose, 3 to 5 minutes. Look for kinks, clamped sections, or a hose inserted too far into the standpipe. Remove and blow through the hose to confirm flow.

4. Clean the pump area, 10 to 15 minutes. Disconnect power, access the pump or coin trap, remove visible debris and small items. Expect hair, lint, or coins.

5. Listen to the pump during a Drain cycle, 1 to 2 minutes. A humming pump that does not move water usually means an internal jam or failed pump.

6. If steps above fail, swap or test the drain pump, 20 to 30 minutes. Replace only if it fails electrical or mechanical testing.

Follow this order and you will fix most Whirlpool top load washer not draining problems without guessing.

How to Clear a Clogged Drain Hose and Pump Filter, Step by Step

Before you touch anything, unplug the washer and roll up a few towels. Photograph the back connections and the pump area with your phone so you can reassemble everything exactly the same.

Step 1: Locate the drain hose at the rear, and the pump filter or access panel (check your manual if unsure). Step 2: Place a shallow bucket under the hose, loosen the clamp with pliers, then pull the hose free. Expect several quarts of water, hair, lint and small items like socks or coins.

Step 3: Run water through the hose with a garden hose or use a shop vac to blow the clog out from the pump side. Step 4: Open the pump filter or remove the access cover, wearing gloves, and pull debris out with needle nose pliers or a flashlight and gloved fingers.

Common pitfalls: forgetting to unplug, not having towels or a bucket, over tightening clamps on reassembly, or pushing debris further into the pump. If you hit resistance inside the pump, stop and call a technician.

How to Test and Replace the Drain Pump and Lid Switch

Always unplug the washer first. Set your multimeter to continuity or ohms. For the drain pump test, remove the access panel, unplug the pump harness, and probe the two pump terminals. A healthy pump usually shows low resistance, typically between about 10 and 200 ohms, or a clear continuity beep. If the meter reads open circuit or infinite resistance, the pump is dead and needs replacing. Also check for a short to ground by testing each terminal to the metal housing; you want no continuity there.

For the lid switch, locate the switch under the lid or in the control assembly, disconnect its connector, then check continuity while manually closing the lid actuator. The switch should show continuity when closed and open when released. No continuity when closed means replace the switch.

Replace the part if readings are wrong, the pump hums but the impeller does not spin, or you smell burning. Many owners can swap a pump or switch with basic tools. Call a pro when the job requires tub removal, motor coupling replacement, or if you are uncomfortable working on live circuits.

Preventive Maintenance That Keeps Your Washer Draining Smoothly

Small maintenance prevents you from typing whirlpool top load washer not draining into Google. Do these simple tasks and you will avoid most clogs and pump failures.

1. Monthly: run a hot wash with 2 cups white vinegar, then an extra rinse. This clears soap scum that traps lint.
2. Every load: empty pockets, use mesh bags for socks and bra hardware, and use the correct amount of detergent to avoid suds buildup.
3. Quarterly: detach the drain hose, run water through it, and check for kinks or soft spots.
4. Every 6 months: if your model has a lint or coin trap, remove and rinse it; inspect the pump area for debris.

Quick tip, keep a pantyhose or mesh strainer over the hose when cleaning, it catches coins and small items before they reach the pump.

When to Call a Pro, and What to Tell Them

If your Whirlpool top load washer is not draining and you have water in the tub, loud grinding or motor humming, a burning smell, or smoke, call a pro. Before the visit, check warranty, note model and serial, purchase date, and whether you used OEM parts. Give the technician model and serial, error codes, exact steps you tried, and a video of the issue.

Conclusion and Final Insights

Fastest fixes: unplug the machine, clear visible clogs in the drain hose, and inspect the pump filter for coins and lint. Test the lid switch and run a drain spin to see if the pump engages. Always cut power and wear gloves before reaching into the tub, and keep small parts in a tray so nothing gets lost. For maintenance, clean the hose and filter monthly to prevent recurrence. If your Whirlpool top load washer not draining after these steps, document model and error codes, then call a certified repair tech or Whirlpool support.