Lid up and drum full of cold grey water. Clothes soaking and going nowhere. And it is the middle of winter.
Here is the thing most people miss. A washing machine will not spin until it has drained. So a spin problem is very often a drain problem first. And winter brings its own set of drain problems.
Let us find the cause. Most of these are a cheap part not a write off. Browse washing machine parts once you know what is going on.
Why Winter Makes Draining Worse
Cold weather adds problems a warm laundry never sees.
If your machine lives in a garage or against an outside wall the water sitting in the hoses and pump can freeze on a frosty morning. Frozen water does not move. So the machine cannot drain or fill. This is common in colder parts of the South Island and inland areas. LG even warns that a washer left below freezing can be damaged and the warranty voided. You can read their winterise a washing machine guide for the full steps.
Winter also means heavier loads. Towels. Bedding. Thick hoodies. A packed drum throws itself off balance on spin and the machine stops to protect itself. Cold thick detergent gel also builds up faster in the pump and filter when wash temperatures are low.
Match the Fault to the Cause
Work through these in order.
The drum is full of water and will not drain
The drain path is blocked. Start with the drain pump filter at the front bottom. Then check the drain hose for a kink or a clog. In a cold snap check for ice in the hose. A blocked or failed drain pump is the most common cause.
It drains but will not spin
If the water is gone but the drum will not spin the load is likely off balance. Open up and spread it out. Heavy wet winter bedding bunches to one side and the machine refuses to spin fast. Worn motor brushes can also stop the motor reaching spin speed on some machines.
The door will not unlock
A front loader keeps the door locked until it senses the water is gone. If it cannot drain it will not release. Fix the drain first. If the drain is clear and the door still stays locked the door lock or interlock switch may have failed.
It will not fill in the first place
No water coming in points to the inlet. Check the tap is on and the inlet hose is not frozen or kinked. A failed inlet valve stops the fill and the cycle stalls.
How to Thaw a Frozen Washing Machine Safely
Think it is frozen? Do this gently.
Turn the machine off at the wall. Warm the room with a heater or wait for the day to warm up. You can warm the hoses with a hair dryer on a low setting. You can pour warm not boiling water into the drum and let it sit. Never use boiling water because it can crack parts and pipes.
Once it thaws run a short spin to clear the water. If it drains you are back in business. If it still will not drain after thawing the pump or a hose may have split from the ice and needs replacing.
Clear the Drain Pump Filter
This one fixes most no drain faults and it is free.
Find the small hatch at the front bottom of the machine. Put a towel and a shallow tray down because water will come out. Open the filter slowly. Pull out the coins hair lint and the odd sock. Rinse it. Screw it back in firmly.
Run a rinse and spin to test. Nine times out of ten the water clears. If it does not the drain pump itself has likely failed.
Stop It Happening Again This Winter
A few habits keep the water moving all winter.
Clean the drain pump filter every month or two. Do not overload the drum with heavy bedding. Split big loads in two. If your laundry is freezing keep the room above freezing or disconnect and drain the hoses on the coldest nights. Run the odd warm wash to clear cold detergent gunk from the pump. Check the drain hose is not kinked behind the machine.
For more on draining faults our guide to a washing machine that will not drain goes deeper and our washing machine hoses guide covers hose checks.
Get the Water Moving Again
A washing machine that will not spin is usually a machine that cannot drain. In winter that often comes down to a frozen hose a blocked pump filter or a load thrown off balance by heavy bedding. Most fixes are simple and most parts are cheap.
Find the blockage. Clear it or swap the part. Get your laundry moving again.
Ready? Browse drain pumps and washing machine parts or email steve@appliancespares.nz with your model number.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I manually drain a washing machine that is full of water?
Turn it off at the wall first. Place towels and a shallow tray under the filter hatch at the front bottom. Open the drain pump filter slowly and let the water run out into the tray. Lowering the drain hose into a bucket also helps the water flow out by gravity.
Can a frozen washing machine be saved or is it ruined?
Usually it can be saved if you catch it early. Thaw it gently with warm air or warm water and never boiling water. Once thawed run a spin to clear it. The only real damage is if the ice split a hose or cracked the pump in which case that part needs replacing.
Is it bad to leave water sitting in the machine overnight in winter?
In a cold snap yes. Standing water can freeze in the drum hose and pump overnight and freezing water expands and cracks parts. Run a spin to clear the water before a frosty night or drain it through the filter.
Why does my washing machine keep stopping mid cycle in winter?
A machine that stops part way through is often failing to drain or sensing an out of balance load. Heavy wet winter bedding is a common trigger. Check the pump filter and the drain hose and spread the load out evenly.
Should I disconnect my washing machine hoses in a hard frost?
If your laundry drops below freezing then yes it is worth it on the coldest nights. Turn off the tap and disconnect the inlet hoses and drain the residual water so nothing is left to freeze and crack.