It can be irking when there is a load of laundry to do, but your washing machine won’t drain. You will be left with a heap of soapy water and soggy clothes.
The issue is not as severe as you might think it to be, and in most cases, you can fix it yourself. Cleaning the drain hose or replacing the motor can help your washer run smoothly again.
Often, the drain hose in your washer can get clogged up, restricting the draining. The motor can get damaged or burned out as well. This can be the reason your GE washer won’t drain just hums.
Reasons Why Your GE Washer Won’t Drain And Just Hums
These are the usual reasons that can prevent your washer from draining properly.
Clogged Drain Hose
The most common reason your washing machine won’t drain is due to a blockage in the drain hose. A washer drain hose does the job of carrying out water from the washer after it is used.
If the hose gets clogged, draining issues might occur as water would not flow out. A piece of cloth or any small thing can get stuck inside the drain hose.
A washer will not spin unless the water level drains out. Instead, it makes a humming noise.
So, how can you check if the drain hose is clogged or not? To check, disconnect the hose from the drainpipe and place it in a bucket. It is usually at the back of a washing machine, but you can check your user manual to determine the exact location.
If the water gushes out freely, it means that there is not any blockage in the hose. If the flow is restricted, you would have to look inside the hose and remove anything clogging it. At times, it might be challenging to reach the clog. You would have to change the hose in such cases.
Dirty Pump Filter
A pump filter prevents a drain hose from clogging by removing debris before the water is drained. Not all washers have a pump filter, but the majority do.
You should clean the filter periodically. Otherwise, it can become clogged and restrict draining.
To clean the filter:
- Locate it using the user manual.
- Twist to remove it.
- Check for any debris and wash the filter before putting it back on.
Defective Lid Switch
A lid switch signs the washer when you close the lid. Only then, it starts the wash cycle. If you do not close the lid correctly or the switch is defective, your GE washer will not drain.
Issues With The Water Flow
Another reason your GE washer makes a humming noise is that it does not take in water properly. The initial step to fix this issue is to check if there is an adequate water supply to the washing machine.
You can try unscrewing the fill hose from the water valve. Take a bucket and hold the hose over it to check the water supply.
If the water pressure is slow or there is no water supply, you might need to call a plumber as this is a plumbing issue.
Burned Out Motor
If a burning smell accompanies the humming that your washer makes, the chances are that the motor is burnt. You can replace the motor, but buying a new washing machine is more cost-effective.
Damaged Motor Coupling
The motor coupling connects the washing machine to the pump. If the humming has a vibration, it could mean that the motor coupling is damaged.
To fix this issue, you would have to open the machine apart. You might end up ruining the washer trying to take it apart and fix it. So, it is best to leave it to the experts to handle this.
Loose Fitting Motor Coupling
Often, washing machines cannot take the load of too many clothes. Heavy lifts can affect their inner workings negatively. Some parts can loosen, causing the machine not to work properly.
An expert can check if there is any loose-fitting and tighten everything up to fix it.
What To Do If A GE Washer Does Not Drain?
If your washer has draining issues, you can use the following tips to fix it.
- Ensure that the washer is not draining too high from the floor. Most GE washers will not pump over 8 feet. So, it should not drain any higher than 8 feet from the floor.
- A drain hose is attached to a standpipe. Detach the hose from the standpipe and pour water into it.
- Make sure there is no kink or blockage in the drain hose.
- If it is a 1994 or older model, ensure that the washer lid is down.
- You can wait for a few minutes; as for many GE washers, it is not unusual to have pauses between draining cycles up to 3 minutes.
Tips For Preventing Washer Draining Issues
We have listed down some measures that you can take to avoid any issues regarding draining in your washer. Take the following measures to avoid draining problems.
Clean Your Washer Frequently
Every month, cleaning your washer will prevent dirt or debris from clogging the drain hose or pump filter.
Check The Pockets OfEvery Clothing Item Before Putting Them In The Washer
Clothing pockets might contain small objects that can get into the drain hose and clog it. Always check the pockets before washing to prevent such consequences.
Use GE Detergents For GE Washers
Regular detergents create excess suds and leave behind a residue that can cause blockage. Use detergents specifically made for GE washing machines.
Empty The Pump Filter While Cleaning
Remove any dirt from the pump filter while cleaning your washer as it might cause clogging.
Conclusion
The issues mentioned above are usually the prime reasons your GE washer won’t drain and just hums. A clogged drain hose or filter is the most common reason for this problem. Cleaning the pump filter from time to time is the ideal solution.
Proper maintenance and use are essential to avoid any draining issues. If you have inspected your washer carefully and still cannot find out the issue, it is best to call an expert to repair it.