FixGrid Academy — Field checklist
Washer Not Draining
Top-load washer · Intermediate
Fills and agitates, will not drain. Work external restrictions first and prove the pump before you replace it.
1Safety first
- Unplug the washer or open the dedicated breaker.
- Confirm dead with a non-contact tester.
- Stage towels and a shallow pan — residual water will come out.
- Gloves and eye protection on.
2First checks
- Confirm the complaint: run a drain/spin and watch what happens.
- Inspect the drain hose for kinks, crushing, or a lost high loop.
- Check standpipe height and that the hose is not pushed in too far.
- Note any error code, then clear it and re-run.
3Narrow the system
- Hose clear? Move inward — do not jump to the pump.
- Pull the coin trap / pump filter and inspect for coins, lint, hair mats.
- Check for a soft blockage between filter and pump housing.
- Listen during drain: pump humming, silent, or running dry?
4Highest-probability tests
- Check for line voltage at the pump connector during the drain command.
- No power at the connector → look upstream (wiring, lid switch input, control).
- Power present, no flow → test pump winding continuity/resistance.
- Spin the impeller by hand for binding or a broken vane.
5Common outcomes and watch-outs
- Most calls end as a restricted filter/coin trap or a failed drain pump.
- Document what came out of the filter — it protects you on callbacks.
- Check residual water before pulling the pump; drain it down first.
- Verify a full drain and spin before you leave.