When water stays in the drum after the cycle ends, the cause is most often a blockage in the drain path, such as a packed pump filter, a folded hose or a stray sock. A failed drain pump is possible, but it is not where we start.
Safe Things to Check
- Unplug the washer. On a front-load model, the pump filter sits behind a small door low on the front. Lay towels and a baking dish under it first, since water will run out.
- Turn the filter cap slowly and let the water drain. Pull out any lint, coins, hair ties or small socks you find.
- Check the drain hose at the back of the cabinet. A hose pushed too tightly against the wall can fold, and a hose set too deep into the standpipe can siphon.
- Run a short drain-and-spin cycle with no clothes and watch whether water leaves.
A top-load washer has no front filter, so check the hose and the standpipe. A small amount of standing water is normal in some designs, but a drum full of water after the cycle is not.
What Else Can Cause It
If the filter and hose are clear, the next suspects are the drain pump motor, a pressure switch that tells the control the tub is empty, or a control board that is not calling for the pump. A pump that hums yet moves no water behaves differently from one that makes no sound, and a grinding noise often means a foreign object has reached the impeller. We test each before replacing one.
Older Washers and Houston Homes
Washers that have run in humid garages and closets for years collect lint, mineral deposits and mildew in the drain path. We service older Frigidaire washers when the tub, bearings and cabinet are in good shape, and we tell you honestly if a worn tub or bearing makes replacement the better choice.
You can book by phone or with the online form. We confirm a three-hour window for the visit at that point, either 9 to 12, 1 to 4 or 4 to 7. More on Frigidaire washer repair.