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ErrBase

Does My Whirlpool Washer Have a Filter? Cleaning Guide

Quick Answer

Most Whirlpool front-load washers have a filter located behind a small door or the bottom kick panel, while most modern top-load models do not have a user-serviceable filter. The telltale sign of a clogged filter is the washer failing to drain or spinning while still full of water.

Skipping this filter is honestly the number one reason I see premature pump failures on these machines. And a blown pump isn't a $20 fix, it's a $120-200 part plus labor if you call someone out. Cleaning the filter yourself is literally free and takes 15 minutes. Just don't skip the leak test after, because a slow drip under the washer will rot your subfloor before you even notice it.

WhirlpoolWasherSeverity: highDifficulty: intermediate95% DIY Success
Time to Fix
20–45 min
Difficulty
intermediate
Parts Cost
$15 – $140
Tools Needed
Shallow rimmed baking pan or cookie sheet (under 2 inches deep), Several thick old towels

What Does the DRAIN-PUMP-FILTER Code Mean?

OK so here's the deal with Whirlpool front-loaders: every single one of them has a filter, and most people never touch it for the life of the machine. That's usually fine for a few years, but once you hit that 3-5 year mark with no cleaning, you're basically gambling. I pulled a bra underwire, three quarters, and a mystery glob of hair out of one last Tuesday. Your pump will thank you for doing this.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Foreign object blockage (coins, hairpins)55%
Lint and biofilm buildup25%
Broken filter handle or stripped threads10%
Failed gasket or O-ring seal10%

Symptoms You May Notice

  • Washer throws an F9 E1 or 'LD' error code and stops cold mid-cycle with a tub full of standing water
  • Clothes come out soaking wet and heavy at the end of the cycle, like they never spun at all
  • You hear the motor humming and straining but absolutely no water is moving out of the tub
  • There's a musty, swampy smell every time you open the door, even right after a fresh wash
  • A small puddle shows up on the floor in front of the machine after every single cycle

Can you reset a Whirlpool washer to clear the DRAIN-PUMP-FILTER code?

There's no dedicated reset button for this since it's a maintenance issue, not an electronics fault. After you clean and reinstall the filter, unplug the washer for a full 60 seconds, then plug it back in. That clears any stored fault codes from memory. Run a Rinse and Spin cycle to confirm water drains normally. If the LD or F9 E1 code comes right back, the pump or drain hose has a separate issue worth digging into.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Shallow rimmed baking pan or cookie sheet (under 2 inches deep)Several thick old towelsPhillips #2 screwdriverFlashlightWet-dry vacuum (strongly recommended if washer stopped mid-cycle)Large dry rag or rubber jar opener for grip on filter cap

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name
Drain Pump Filter CapWP8181735 · $15–$35
Complete Drain Pump AssemblyW10536347 · $60–$140

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't my Whirlpool top-load washer have a filter?
Most modern Whirlpool top-loaders use a self-cleaning pump system. The holes in the inner spin basket basically act as a filter, and small lint particles just flush out with the drain water. It's a simpler design and it works fine for most people. But if your top-loader stops draining, something's probably jammed directly in the pump impeller or the drain hose is kinked behind the machine. You'll need to access the pump from below or pull the back panel to check.
How often should I clean my Whirlpool washer filter?
Every 6 months is my standard answer for most households. But honestly, if you've got dogs or cats that shed constantly, or your household runs 10+ loads a week, bump that up to every 3 months. I've seen filters packed completely solid in 90 days in a house with two golden retrievers. The pump has to work way harder when flow is restricted, and that extra heat buildup shortens its life significantly. Set a phone reminder and just do it.
Can I use an aftermarket filter cap?
I'd stick with the OEM part on this one. The seal tolerance is pretty tight on these filter housings, and an aftermarket cap that's even slightly off in diameter or uses cheaper rubber is going to leak eventually. Maybe not day one, but six months later you've got a slow drip you don't notice until you pull the washer out and find the subfloor is soft and damaged. The OEM cap runs about $15-25, it's not worth gambling on a $6 knockoff.
The filter handle broke off, how do I get it out?
This one's a real pain. First try needle-nose pliers on whatever plastic nub is left, wrapping the jaws in tape so you don't chew the plastic up worse. If you can't get any grip at all, you're probably looking at pulling the drain pump assembly out entirely, which means tilting the machine back and removing the lower panel. Once the pump's out you've got way better access to work the broken filter stub out. The whole filter cap assembly is usually $10-20 on AppliancePartsPros or eBay, not a budget-breaker.
My washer smells terrible even after I cleaned the filter, what else can I do?
The filter's only part of the story. That smell is usually mold living in the rubber door gasket, the drum, and the detergent drawer. Run a cleaning cycle with a washer tablet or a cup of white vinegar on the hottest setting with no clothes inside. Then wipe down the door boot seal, especially deep in the folds where water hides and never dries. Leave the door cracked between washes so the drum can air out. If the smell's specifically coming from the filter area, scrub the inside of the housing with an old toothbrush, there's probably residue in there the filter alone wasn't catching.

Related Whirlpool Washer Error Codes

Code: SudWhirlpool Washer SUD Error: Excess Suds

Same Fix on Other Brands

Maytag washerDRAIN-PUMP-FILTER: Maytag Washer Drain Filter Guide

Same Fix Works on These Brands

Whirlpool shares the same hardware platform with these brands. The diagnosis and repair steps are identical.

Whirlpool washerWhirlpool Washer Error Code F6 E1: Communication FailureWhirlpool washerWhirlpool Duet Washer Not Spinning: Fixes and PartsWhirlpool washerWhirlpool Duet Washer Not Spinning: Parts and Fixes

Models Known to Experience DRAIN-PUMP-FILTER Errors

This repair applies to most Whirlpool washers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

WFW5000DW, WFW6620HW, WFW8620HW, WFW9620HC, WFW560CHW, WFW5090GW, WFW94HEXW

MS

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 17, 2026