LG washer won't drain? 5 easy fixes

Is your LG washer not draining? That’ll put a full stop on laundry day. You can probably fix it fast, though. We’ll walk you through the simple steps. 

Asurion Experts have great tips for keeping your tech and appliances up and running. Whether your washer keeps filling with water or it won’t spin, we can help. Here’s our guide on what to do if your LG washer won’t drain. 

Why is my LG washer not draining?

When your LG washer won’t drain after a cycle, there are several possible culprits from the easy-to-fix kind to it’s time to call a repair pro. Here are a few reasons your washing machine may be holding onto water in the tub: 

• The wash tub is too full or the load is unbalanced. 
• The lid switch is faulty. 
• There’s a kink in the drain hose. 
• The drain pump or drain hose is clogged. 
• The water level valve is broken. 
• The motor or drive belt needs to be replaced. 

How to fix an LG washing machine that’s not draining properly 

Try these troubleshooting steps when you have excess water or wet clothes after a wash cycle:

Reset your LG washer

1. Before you troubleshoot, unplug your washer and wait for a minute or so. 
2. Open and close the lid a few times, and then plug it back in. 

Check your laundry load 

1. Open the lid to see if you have an unbalanced load, especially when you’re washing  heavy items like blankets or towels. 
2. Try rearranging the load or adding an item or two to balance it out. Don’t overload the drum and make sure to distribute your clothes evenly. 
3. Once you’ve adjusted the load, press start. 
4. If the cycle completes and the washer drains properly, you’ve solved the problem. 

Test your lid switch

Your LG washer will only spin and drain if the lid is securely closed. The lid switch needs to be working for this to happen. To check this:

1. Locate the lid switch and press it down. 
2. If your appliance responds and starts to drain, you may need to adjust the lid switch assembly so it presses down the switch. 
3. If your washer doesn’t respond after your test, consider replacing the switch. 

Inspect the drain hose 

Depending on your model, your LG washer should have several hoses for water to move in and out of the machine. The largest of the three hoses should be the drain hose. If it’s twisted or bent, straighten it out then run your rinse cycle again. 

Check for clogs in the drain hose or water pump

1. Remove the front panel of your LG washer.
2. Unhook the hose, then inspect the hose, drain pump, and drain pump filter for debris that may be preventing your machine from draining. 
3. Prepare for water to come rushing out when you unclog the hose. (Keep a bucket and towel handy). 

Get help from a professional repair expert

If your LG washing machine still won’t drain, it could be due to a burnt-out motor or loose or broken belts. These repairs can be complex, so it’s best to consult an appliance expert to avoid risking injury to yourself or damage to your machine.  Washer not starting? Check out our guide on how to fix a washing machine that won’t start.