Whirlpool Washer Not Draining: Pump Filter, Coin Trap, and Drain Hose Fixes

Quick Answer

Whirlpool Washer not draining: clean the drain pump filter first - it is the most common cause and takes 5 minutes. Access it from the small panel at the lower front of the machine. Coins, small clothing items, and hair ties collect here and block the pump.

A Whirlpool washer not draining is almost always a blockage issue, not an electronic failure. The #1 cause across ALL Whirlpool models is a clogged drain pump filter - this small mesh screen catches coins, hair ties, bobby pins, and small fabric items before they reach the pump impeller. On Whirlpool front-load washers (Duet, WFW series), the filter is accessible from a small door on the lower front panel. On Whirlpool top-load washers, the filter is inside the drain pump housing which requires tilting the machine back to access from underneath. The #2 cause is a kinked drain hose - the corrugated hose that runs from the washer to the standpipe or laundry sink can kink where it exits the back of the machine, especially if the washer was pushed too close to the wall. The #3 cause is a foreign object (sock, small garment) lodged in the pump impeller itself, past the filter. Listen for a humming sound during drain - if you hear the pump motor running but no water is moving, the impeller is either jammed or broken. A completely silent drain cycle (no hum at all) means the pump motor has failed or the control board is not sending power to the pump.

WhirlpoolWasherSeverity: medium85% DIY Success

Time to Fix

15–90 min

Difficulty

beginner

Parts Cost

$10 – $60

Tools Needed

Towels and shallow pan (for catching water from filter), Pliers (for hose clamps)

What Does the NOT-DRAINING Code Mean?

#1 cause: clogged drain pump filter (coins, hair ties, bobby pins). Front-load: access filter from lower front panel door. Top-load: tilt back, access from underneath. #2: kinked drain hose. #3: pump impeller jammed by small garment.

Most Likely Causes

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

Drain pump filter clogged with coins, hair ties, small items40%

Drain hose kinked behind the washer24%

Small garment (sock, underwear) jammed in pump impeller14%

Standpipe or laundry sink drain clogged12%

Drain pump motor failed10%

Symptoms You May Notice

Standing water in drum after cycle
Washer displays F21 error (Duet) or F9E1 (newer models)
Drain pump hums but water does not move
No sound from drain pump at all
Water drains very slowly
Washer stops mid-cycle with water in drum
Foul smell from standing water
Clothes come out soaking wet and heavy

Can you reset a Whirlpool washer to clear the NOT-DRAINING code?

Unplug 60 seconds. For F21 or F9E1 drain error codes: clear the clog first, then the code auto-clears on the next successful drain. On some models, pressing Cancel twice also clears drain-related codes.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Towels and shallow pan (for catching water from filter)Pliers (for hose clamps)FlashlightBucket

Diagnostic Checklist

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

FOR FRONT-LOAD (Duet, WFW series)

FOR FRONT-LOAD (Duet, WFW series): locate the drain pump filter access door on the lower front panel (right side). Place towels and a shallow pan underneath. Slowly turn the filter cap counterclockwise. Water will flow out - let it drain into the pan. Remove the filter and check for coins, hair ties, bobby pins, fabric pieces. Clean the filter screen.

FOR TOP-LOAD

Check the drain hose

Test the drain pump

Check the standpipe/laundry sink drain

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	OEM Number	Estimated Price
Whirlpool Drain Pump MotorW10130913 · $25–$60	W10130913	$25 – $60
Whirlpool Drain Pump Filter/Coin TrapW10465378 · $10–$20	W10465378	$10 – $20
Whirlpool Drain HoseW10189267 · $15–$25	W10189267	$15 – $25

Verify part fitment for your Whirlpool model

Repair vs. Replace Calculator

Appliance Age (Years)7 Yrs

Labor Approach

Our Verdict

REPAIR

Estimated Cost: $35 (Parts) vs $800 (New Machine)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the drain pump filter on a Whirlpool front-load washer?

On Duet and WFW front-load models, the drain pump filter is behind a small access door on the lower right front of the machine. Open the door, place towels and a pan underneath (1-2 gallons of water will come out), and slowly turn the filter cap counterclockwise.

Why does my Whirlpool washer hum but not drain?

A humming drain pump means the motor is running but the impeller cannot turn. Something is jammed in the impeller - most commonly a small sock, underwear, or fabric softener sheet that got past the drum and into the pump. Remove the pump or access the impeller through the filter opening to clear the jam.

Whirlpool washer not draining but no error code. What is wrong?

Not all drain issues trigger error codes. A partially clogged filter slows drainage without fully blocking it, so the washer eventually drains but clothes are still wet. A kinked hose also causes slow drainage without triggering F21/F9E1 (which require ZERO drainage for a set time). Clean the filter and check the hose even without an error code.

How often should I clean the Whirlpool drain pump filter?

Every 1-3 months, or immediately if you notice slow draining or a musty smell. Front-load filters are easy to access (2 minutes). Top-load filters require more effort. Check pockets before washing - coins and small items are the #1 cause of filter clogs.

Whirlpool Duet washer not draining and showing F21. What do I do?

F21 = long drain (washer tried to drain for 8+ minutes without success). Clean the drain pump filter (lower right front door), check for kinked drain hose, and clear any pump impeller jams. After clearing, F21 auto-clears on the next successful drain cycle. See the F21 error code guide for detailed steps.

Related Whirlpool Washer Error Codes

Code: F21Whirlpool F21: Long Drain Error Code: F9E1Whirlpool F9 E1: Long Drain Code: 5DWhirlpool 5D/SD: Suds Detected Code: HUBWhirlpool Washer Error Codes Code: NOT-SPINNINGWhirlpool Washer Not Spinning

Same Fix Works on These Brands

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

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Models Known to Experience NOT-DRAINING Errors

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

WTW5000DW, WTW4816FW, WTW5105HW, Cabrio WTW8500DC, Duet WFW72HEDW, WFW5620HW, WFW9620HC, WFW87HEDW, Ultimate Care II

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 15, 2026