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You run a load of dirty clothes, only to discover the washer is still full at the end of the load. Why is my Maytag washer not draining? One of the last functions of a Maytag washer cycle is to drain used water out of the machine. So, when the washer fails to drain, it is a sign that something is not working correctly.
In the following sections, we will look closely at five possible reasons why your Maytag washer won’t drain… and what you can do to fix the issue.
If a Maytag washer doesn’t drain, it’s likely because the drain pump has suffered a mechanical or electrical failure. The washer might also fail to drain if the door lock and motor switch assembly fails, or if clogs in the coin trap or drain hose prevent water from draining out. Lastly, some Maytag models rely on belt-powered drain pumps that require a belt replacement.
Caution!
Before removing any panels on your Maytag washer or performing any repairs, always disconnect the appliance from its power supply. Doing this will prevent electrocution and reduce your overall injury risk.
It would also be helpful to keep a towel nearby, as working on some parts of the washer’s draining system will involve water leaking out.
Lastly, keep the appliance user manual and any available technical sheet nearby for quick reference.
1. Drain Pump
In the bottom section of your Maytag washer is a drain pump. This component is specially designed to remove all of the water from the washer drum and force it out through the drain hose.
Inside the pump is an impeller that continually spins whenever the pump is on. When the impeller spins, it will pull water in from one end of the pump (coming from the washer drum) and drive it out through another (out through the drain hose).
Related: 5 Reasons Why GE Dishwasher Not Draining
Typically, you will notice the drain pump working towards the end of the cycle. At this point, the drum will spin all of the excess water from the clothes inside as the pump drains all collected water out of the appliance.
Why it fails:
The drain pump in your Maytag washer can fail mechanically. An example of a mechanical failure is when the impeller inside is damaged or broken. When that happens, the pump loses its ability to drain water from the drum and force it out of the drain hose.
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Related: Why Washing Machine Drain Pump Keeps Running
Another mechanical failure is when a foreign object gets stuck inside the pump. For example, it’s common for a sock or other small piece of fabric to get sucked into the drain pump in washing machines.
A short-circuited motor is an example of an electrical fault. A surge in your household power supply could cause this to happen.
How to fix:
Some mechanical failures, such as a foreign object jamming the drain pump’s moving parts, are straightforward to fix. In these cases, you will simply need to remove the foreign object causing the problem.
However, if parts of the pump are damaged or if there is an electrical fault, you will need to replace the pump entirely.
Doing this will involve accessing the bottom part of your Maytag washer and removing the existing pump. That includes unclamping the hoses attached to it and removing its electrical connector. Once that is done, you can install a new drain pump and reconnect it the same way as the old one.
2. Door Lock Motor and Switch Assembly
On front-loading Maytag washers, the door has a lock that keeps it shut whenever the washer is being used. Doing this will prevent the door from opening while it’s full of water and flooding the floor of your laundry room.
Part of the door lock motor assembly is a switch that plays a vital role. The switch helps the door lock communicate with the washer, letting it know that it’s safe to continue operating. If for whatever reason, the door is opened during the cycle, the switch will break the circuit and prevent the washer from continuing to operate.
Why it fails:
If the door lock assembly is faulty, then the switch might mistakenly send the signal to the washer that the door isn’t closed securely. As a result, the washer will not continue operating, including a failure to drain the washer even when it should do so.
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How to fix:
To fix this, you will need to replace the door lock motor and switch assembly. This task is pretty straightforward, as the assembly is located behind the door.
- First, you will need to pull out a part of the door gasket to access where the existing assembly is located.
- Unthread the screws holding the door lock in place, then remove the lock.
- Next, disconnect the electrical connectors attached to it.
- Once that’s done, you can mount the new door lock assembly in place and reconnect the wires the same way as before.
- Lastly, replace the door seal that you removed earlier and ensure that everything is safely in place.
3. Filter or Coin Trap
It’s very common for people to accidentally leave small objects in their pockets whenever they do their laundry. Even though these small objects might seem harmless, they can wreak havoc on your washer, especially at the drain pump and drain hose.
That’s why the standard design of a washing machine always includes a filter or coin trap along the washer’s drainage. That’s true for any brand of washer, including the Maytag model that you have at home.
Related: Whirlpool Washer Not Spinning And Clothes Are Still Wet?
These traps serve a very clear and straightforward purpose: they are designed to remove coins and other foreign objects from the water supply before getting to the drain pump and drain hose after that. In doing so, the coin trap prevents damage and clogs both in the drain pump and hose.
Why it fails:
Unfortunately, it’s also easy for people to overlook the existence of the filter or coin trap in the first place. The trap is located somewhere towards the bottom of your washer, typically hidden behind a small panel on the front side of the machine.
Over time, the coin trap can get clogged with dirt, lint, debris, and of course, coins. When the trap becomes saturated, water will not pass through, and the drain pump will fail to pull water through into the drain hose.
Related: Why There Is Water in the Washing Machine Drum When Not in Use?
How to fix:
The solution to this problem isn’t a ‘fix’, but rather a quick cleaning task that’s very easy to do. All you need is to find and open the panel that hides the filter or coin trap.
- From there, you can use your hand to unlock the trap by turning it counter-clockwise.
- Next, remove the trap and wash it under the sink.
- You’ll be able to remove any coins trapped in there, as well as wash off any dirt or lint that has built up in the trap.
- Lastly, lock the coin trap back in place and close the panel that you opened earlier.
4. Drain Hose – Why is my maytag washer not draining?
Once used water has passed through the drain pump in your Maytag washer, it will then be forced through a drain hose that leads it out of the appliance and into your household drainage system.
This drain hose is flexible enough so that you can position it in any way you need, such as into a standpipe in your laundry room that’s built for this purpose.
Why it fails:
Your washer’s drain hose can get kinked and clogged. For example, if your drain hose isn’t perfectly straight, lint could have gotten stuck inside around any corners. This stuck lint can trap even more lint over time, causing a severe blockage in the drain hose.
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When water cannot flow smoothly through the drain hose, it will prevent the washing machine from draining at all.
Besides that, the drain hose might be kinked, twisted, or bent. Any of these conditions can make it impossible for your Maytag washer to drain the water inside.
How to fix:
- First of all, check that your drain hose is as straight as it can be with minimal turns. If it is kinked, twisted, or bent, all you will have to do is straighten the hose to allow for a smooth flow of drained water from your washer.
- However, if there is a severe blockage, you will need to detach the hose and clean it entirely. If all else fails, you can purchase a new drain hose to replace the old one.
- Replacement hoses can be purchased for less than $20 on retail sites like Amazon.
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5. Water Pump Belt
Some Maytag washers use a belt-powered drain pump instead of an electric pump. These pumps are standard on older Maytag washers that are still around today, and they are driven by the washer’s main drive belt which also drives the appliance’s transmission pulley.
The belt turns the impeller inside the pump, which drains the water out of the washer.
Why it fails:
Over time, belts will experience excessive wear and tear. That will lead to the belt breaking, which prevents the drain pump from working at all.
How to fix:
To fix this problem, you will need to replace the belt that powers the drain pump.
- This process involves opening the front panel of the washer and removing the existing belt.
- When installing the new belt, always ensure that it is correctly aligned and under enough tension to work correctly.
- Replacement belts can be purchased at online retailers like Amazon for around $10.
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My newer model washer (2-3 yrs old) will not go thru the spin and drain cycle and goes back to the wash cycles. It does spin and drain if I switch it to the drain & spin cycle after the wash indicator light comes on.