GE Front Load Washer Won't Drain or Spin - Ideas to Troubleshoot & Fix

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

I made this video a few years back, and a LOT of people are seeing bad drain pumps on these. GE is running out often, but you can buy them from our online store: bens-appliances.com/products/wh11x29539-ge-washing-machine-drain-pump-wh11x29539cm Inverter Board: bens-appliances.com/products/wh22x35837-ge-washing-machine-inverter-board?_pos=2&_sid=8c2977563&_ss=r

[@lindabethgilreath7586]

This video was a lifesaver! I am newly widowed and it seems that everything is tearing up.. my husband could fix anything.. this video showed me how to fix the problem which was the lower filter!! Thank you SO much!!

[@Stealth_Farmer]

Thank you so much for this video, you truly saved us. We have 2 kids and our washer runs constantly and couldn't afford a new one. Solved my problem instantly

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

Wonderful! So glad it helped!

[@dwightjinright9203]

Thanks so much! Instructions were perfect. I found that I had a pop top from an aluminum can stuck in the pump. This probably saved me around $300. From a former educator, you are a great teacher!

[@toniacooper1593]

I brought my GE washer three years ago. I spent about $1100 on it. It recently stopped washing the door got locked on me and it would no longer operate. I was on the verge of buying a new washer before watching this video. I just fixed my washer by simply removing the gunk from the filter!! You are a lifesaver !!! Thank you so much for making this video !!!

[@nickc8819]

I'm watching this DIY video, cuz our washer Not draining, like yours the door staying locked. I don't know enough to fix this nor do I have the proper tools. My wife had purchased an extended warranty a year ago. Right we paid the $50 dollars deductible, and the repair man is at the house now.

[@jessienino6348]

Sake, have warranty ..getting a new replacement...be done with it

[@Gman12959]

It’s usually always a simple thing with newer machines, but they’ll take that money no problem lol

[@brittneycerritos4515]

I just wanted to say thank you to the creator of this video. This afternoon I had the dreaded "won't drain" problem. After watching this video my hubby was able to troubleshoot our issue and was able to fix it. Literally saved us hundreds of dollars we can use else where. Thank you for taking the time and creating this content and posting it! -Cerritos Family

[@themendezfamily457]

What was your problem wasnt letting it drained

[@brittneycerritos4515]

​@@themendezfamily457there was a clog!

[@siasil]

Just wanted to take a minute and say thank you for the excellent videos! I bought a used GFW550SPN0DG washer/dryer set recently and the washer was not working. No tumble or spin, but drain worked fine. Your videos were a tremendous help! They helped me determine how to get into the system, and using the error code video I narrowed the problem to the inverter/motor. Using this video I got it out and inspected the inverter to find some blown components due to the recent floods of IAN. Have a new one on the way! Thanks again!

[@jeffreyw2797]

This was an amazing video. It was easy to test the systems in question. I sequentially checked drainage and spinning, and then cleared error codes, unplugged and plugged after five minutes. Better than ever!

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

Glad it helped!

[@CompletelyObsorbed]

How did you clear the codes? edit: run Test 16 to clear the codes.

[@chelsiebrown1658]

Thank you soooo much. I was able to successfully fix this myself! Was clogged with pet hair. I was not aware previously (until watching this video) that there was a filter basket at the bottom that needed to be emptied. Very good to know. 🙂

[@grandfinish2364]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I have no clue what I’m doing but based on the video I was able to determine that my hose was in too deep or the contraption at the bottom was too dirty. Either way the machine is working now. Need clean clothes for tomorrow so you saved me. Thank you!

[@kurtistaylor7318]

Best repair video I have ever seen! This saved me from buying a new washer!

[@deborahbaker1140]

Thank you so much for your video. I don’t even know how much money you saved me. I was going to have a technician come out and it would have been $114 just to show up. Turned out that my issue was the main control board. Bought the OEM part online and installed it with no issues. Your other video about troubleshooting codes was great for showing me how to get the machine to reprogram. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@rachelzarek9670]

Thank you so much for this video! My washer stopped draining and we couldn't afford to call a repair person or barely do laundromat laundry. We followed your video and found a sock and hair ball plugged in the elbow of the blue pump hose. Idk how it got past the filter but your video helped us fix it ourselves.

[@deetzsnid]

Thank you so much for posting this awesome step by step. With a large family and appliance maintenance companies booked up for weeks, I was able to follow to the T. This was not an easy fix but my washer is now draining properly after your replacement steps!! 🎉

[@playtime9259]

You DO NOT have to remove the front of this machine to access/remove/replace the pump! It’s easily accessible from the bottom of the machine. Two screws remove it and there’s plenty of space to pull it out. Also 9 times out of ten they pump is fine just jammed with debris keeping the pump from turning. Have dealt with this twice. Three screws hold the pump together, open up the pump and almost a guarantee there’s something stuck in the pump that made it past the filter. It’s a 15-20 min free fix.

[@don2deliver]

If you have access to flipping the machine on it's back in a basement or garage, but if it's on a pedestal in a small laundry room, that's definitely not easier. Besides the Phillips screws go in from the top.

[@Canyoncarver31]

Agreed, just flipped it's back, the pump is exposed.

[@anthonyboni5884]

You’re exactly correct! Took me a half hour to take the pump out flipping the machine on its back, removethe housing, remove the blockage, and reassemble/reinstall. Saved me $60 on a pump and took me no time at all 🤘🏼

[@feleciareeves2818]

W

[@davidnightingale488]

Thank you so much for this advice. Turns out the impeller was just clogged. Super easy fix.

[@LEMDROPS]

Thanks to this video I was able to get my GE front load washer (same one that’s in this video) to go from “cancelled” to rinsing. My first move was to empty water out of the release valve on the bottom of the washer. Seems something was stuck. Thank you for making this video. It’s well done, as well.

[@arnalia27]

Thank you I was about to buy another until I went through your steps…problem solved….thanks again 🎉

[@hammershark23]

Thank you. The drain pump filter was clogged on my washer. I flooded my bathroom, but it fixed my washer.

[@pacokblister]

Great video. Thanks for the help with learning how to access the pump. Fortunately for me on the GFW550 model, the pump itself was not hard to remove and reinstall. Most of all, I got lucky and my pump was not burned out. I found that the pump had a large clump of lint and hair inside, so I detached pump motor from the pump housing in order to clean it out and now it works great.

[@charlesgammon5197]

This is a very informative video, but I'd you are watching it like I was a few weeks ago, get ready for a potentially longer process. I have a simmer 2022 washer and the drain was clogged. The drain motor was not functioning. Pulled thr moter as show in video and tested its resistance, bad drain motor, replaced the drain motor, reassembled, ran service test, still not functioning. After researching more, replaced mainboard. During main board replacement found out the original main board model had been replaced with a new design model! Reassembled using new model main board, and after more research to find the personality profile of my exact model, finally was able to enact service code 12, drain pump worked. In conclusion, the clogged drain did start the problem but I believe GE realized the that if the drain pump failure would cause a main board failure, the main board design was changed. The combination of this video and the diagnostic video were great. I hope they would make a video going through all the steps I had to go through on my 2022 GE washer.

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

This video was before the main board issues popped up. I'm trying to buy another one of these to show the mainboard failure + inverter motor failure, as thats another very common issue on these. Sadly, when I made this video, the problem you face popped up like... 3-6mo afterwards, and I didn't have this machine by the time the issue started happening.

[@charlesgammon5197]

This is a great video, seeing the part number change on the main board shows me, GE knows about the cascading issue.

[@alexcasas5780]

You make great quality videos. Thank you!

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

Glad you like them!

[@josephwilliams9660]

Thanks for the video. It helped me solve the problem which turned out to be a pop can tab stuck in pump impellar.

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

Wow! Thats crazy!

[@WadeChilders-k9h]

Thank you. Watched the video. Did steps one and two, plugged it back in and the washer started draining. Based in the sludge around the end of the drain hose I'm pretty sure that was the problem. Thanks again.

[@CT_92]

Thanks! There was a whole detached pocket in my drain pump clean out.

[@thebrigandier]

Thank you for this vid, including the wrench trick on the gasket spring. 🎉

[@liquidvision2k2]

Had an unholy hairball stuck in my impeller. Thanks for the video, saved us hundreds of dollars 🍻

[@daniel_ukiah]

Thanks for the tips. I just ordered a drain pump from you.

[@stevenpadilla4294]

I had the same model today and wasn't draining. I blew on the drain hose and the drain pump worked. I did this twice more and it made it work. When I didn't do it I would hear it energize but no water drained. Of course I made sure the filter was cleaned first. It's either a weak pump or some kind of back pressure not allowing the water to flow

[@rdg3686]

Well thanks for posting. I didn't have the same problem did find the source of why our clothes were coming out selling worst.

[@germanflores4640]

Thank you! I was able to fix my washer!

[@exoneratedgaming4393]

You SAVED MY BACON! Warranty just ran out yesterday and my unit wouldn’t unload. Sure enough, it was the second item, (blue filter thing). Thank you so much!

[@mikethompson7406]

Thank you! I've got to do this task this weekend, used the codes and tested the drain pump but it doesn't run when I tell it to start.

[@jamestravis1037]

Great video Thank you for sharing. Very informative and well done!

[@gregwilkins7649]

Thank you for the helpful video. Watching it made it much easier to tackle this project. I found a large glob of hair and short bits of yarn tangled up in the pump impeller. Helpful tip. I marked the different kinds of screws and there corresponding holes with different color paint markers. It made it a lot easier putting all the screws back in the right spots.

[@ww45818]

Found a bulletin on this issue. Usually was a drain issue of water valve, BUT both were working properly. Did some digging and found a service bulletin on a board relay going bad. Don’t know if any of you guys have seen that, but that’s what GE suggested to me. Relay was bulging on the surface, thank goodness it was under warranty.

[@2JWilliam]

I assume you changed the main board and it fixed it?

[@bene4623]

As always, you're awesome thanks for this video

[@MrsCountryMuch]

Thanks for the very informative video, with your help and help from other commenter we determined it's not the drain pump. We believe it's the control board so have ordered a new one.

[@kcmorgan8439]

Did changing out the control board fix your problem? I just changed out the pump and I’m still not draining😢

[@MrsCountryMuch]

@@kcmorgan8439 yes changing the control board fixed the problem

[@CompletelyObsorbed]

@@kcmorgan8439any luck?

[@lilhope421]

Thank you so much !!! It was my filter full Lint, Coins , and other nasty stuff

[@maclinh1989]

Thank you! Fixed my problem

[@mattbrucker4893]

Thank you so much. Those stupid pods clogged my filter.

[@AL-su6hx]

My GE GFWR4805F2RR front loader easily gets unbalanced and won't spin. I've followed all of the steps in this helpful video which did make the incident occur less often. Since thenI take the clothes out and reposition them, which seems to work half the time. Other times I moderately shake the barrel inside, that the clothes are in, front to back and that allows for the spin afterwards. A little lost for ideas at this point

[@kcmorgan8439]

Thanks for the great video. I've got your same washer. The hoses are all clear, the drain pipe is properly routed into the drain, and I just replaced the drain pump. Still won't drain. When I put it into test mode 12 to drain it, nothing happens. I suspect it is not getting proper connection telling it to drain. What should I be looking at replacing if the control board is needing to be replaced? THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[@dianediaz1586]

This is my problem too

[@kcmorgan8439]

@@dianediaz1586 I wound up having to replace the whole control board. When I inspected it, I found a part that had completely blown (like black smoke residue). I replaced that part (after several failed part attempts), and it worked. I think it blew because my son was playing with the washer and it got put into several spin cycles in a row in a short amount of time. I recently had another part fail and I said I’ve had it with this washer and replaced it. Good luck to you.

[@dianediaz1586]

Thank you I ordered just now ☺️

[@jacobhamilton9016]

👍🏼thank you How do you clear or reset trouble codes once repairs are made

[@barsx2o9]

I hope my washer isn’t the big problem but thank you I’m going to try the first few easy one first 😅

[@deucetres1656]

@bensappliancesandjunk According to your previous video, I cleared my error codes and ran the washer and got a code 3. This required me to run spin test 14 and the test stopped exactly after 5 seconds which points to a Hall Sensor issue. My question to you is, how and where do I locate the speed/Hall sensor on my GE washer (same type model as the one in the video) please?

[@mubarakkhan537]

Thank you for you this video.

[@4040qws]

great information! thank you

[@numarfam956]

Mine had a hair ball preventing the motor from spinning. Thank you

[@dj5347]

Everyone before following the method with the lower compartment make sure you have a large container or bucket as opposed to a paper towel or bowl. If an entire wash has not finished draining it can cover 2-3 rooms with water. It took me 4 heavy duty paper towel rolls to clean up smh

[@playtime9259]

Or just hold a shop vac to the front filter opening as you unscrew it. Not a drop on the floor

[@nalbertgerber9930]

This comment is 100% correct lol

[@mark2020]

Hey Ben, still have a question but first thank you. The filter was in fact front loader was in fact clogged. but after I unplugged it it's still not spinning. I've unplugged it from the wall. Still no luck

[@RobertVivian]

You can just take out the soap tray and tip the machine over on it's side and get to the pump super easy from the massive hole in the bottom. I have the GF model and got the pump out in just a few minutes.

[@charms_03]

Thanks!!! You saved my life lol

[@connorjancius6193]

Instead of taking the face off I flipped it 1) disconnecting everything like water and the power and making sure the drain hose won't get caught on anything 2) flip it on its back so the door is facing up 3) the pump is gonna be on the top right and you just gotta disconnect the wiring harness plug and the hoses and then the two screws holding the whole pump in place 4) 3 screws holding the pump halves together, once you do those make sure you clear any debris or hair 5) put it all back together and if it drains its good to go

[@jaredstein3336]

What is your recommendation for how far the drain hose should go down the drain pipe?

[@epicgamer0007]

Love your videos ♥️♥️♥️

[@thayanaasencio2653]

Any suggestions? For how to clean out pet hair from the mini vent holes in the microban basket?

[@lanemeyer3333]

What does all dial lights on mean. Like when Alexa is called upon it. Went through codes and has 92,43 and 26. Ran test 14 and passed fine. How do i reset washer to clear codes now? Thank you great video.

[@shawndevito6764]

I need info and video please on how to change the control board. Broke w/ 13 minutes left in cycle. Machine won’t drain, showing many codes, that often change w/ trouble shooting. Checked drain filter and was completely clean, so we thought possibly drain pump, changed it and still doing same thing. Reading other comments, leaning towards control board change but GE says the part is $418, and that doesn’t include labor if we can’t do it ourselves. Looks like we’re going to have no choice but to buy a new machine. We’re already in $125 for a service call.

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

Just posted the video yesterday on my channel! I also sell the boards and they are under $150!

[@bryanhall9963]

Thank you sir.

[@JohnC1]

Hmm, my Maytag washer sometimes stops midway or ends with the clothes still soaked. Putting it in another drain/spin resolves that. Everything else looks good, no blockages. Would a new pump maybe help?

[@jasonneugebauer5310]

I have the same washer, and it drips water I to the drawer ever since I purchased it. Also, I hired a technician because the machine door stuck closed and had to replace the door latch, and the main board cost me $500. The machine still leaks, but I can open the door now. Now the washing machine won't drain and spin dry. I think this GE washing machine is not built well to have so many issues after only three years of use.

[@JasonBoswellE]

Thanks!

[@jabberwocker6305]

Keep doing the video, the right to repair is important. Ps; which type of washing machine lasts longer front loader or top loader ?

[@benpraisin9657]

thanks fixed it

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

Great!

[@dosborne7979]

I used this video to fix my washer. I have the same one that's in the video. I think I messed something up putting it back together because it's leaking from the bottom of the machine. It's on a pedestal and I just opened it and found it to be full of water. Not sure what to check first. It only leaks while the water is running into the drum. And it looks like it's only leaking a little bit. But it was enough to fill up the drawer with water since I put it back together like 5 months ago or so.

[@jasonneugebauer5310]

I have the same washer, and it drips water I to the drawer ever since I purchased it. Also, I hired a technician because the machine door stuck closed and had to replace the door latch, and the main board cost me $500. The machine still leaks, but I can open the door now. Now the washing machine won't drain and spin dry. I think this GE washing machine is not built well to have so many issues after only three years of use.

[@JAVASTAR89]

Is this a video on how to disassemble or troubleshoot

[@Wild_100s]

Honestly you don’t to unscrew the door lock. Once you loosen up the front gasket stick you hand in and just disconnect it saves time. The lock will come out with the front panel. And the inverter board going bad will cause the machine to run weird.

[@captainluke90]

I followed every step including replacing the pump with a new one from your store. I still have the same problem it won’t drain! Any advice or help would be appreciated

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

Its possible that the board has gone bad as well. I literally have a video coming out next week about this issue. I bought a used/broken one of these JUST to film more issues that crop up on these since I made this video exactly 2 years ago. Often what happens is the pump goes bad -> blows board up -> needs both replaced. You can confirm this by checking for 120 VAC at the maroon harness on the control board. If you don't get 120 VAC between brown and black wires on pin 2/3, then the board isn't sending the proper drainage voltage to the motor because part of it has blown up

[@captainluke90]

@@bensappliancesandjunkThank you for the timely reply. Your videos have been extremely helpful. I’ll try checking the wires like you suggested. If it is a bad board what can I do to fix that issue? Install a new one?

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

@@captainluke90 new board, yes. Its so common we began stocking them at our shop. There are two styles, depending on your model#. I can link you to the right one if you let me know the model#

[@captainluke90]

It’s a : GFW550SSNWW

[@captainluke90]

@@bensappliancesandjunk I got the new board yesterday and installed it. Success! The washer is now draining! Thank you so much for all your help!

[@theluckyreviewerchannel9546]

I have this same exact washer

[@Erekai]

Thanks for the in depth video, but my problem is that it drains but DOESN'T spin, and I found this title a little misleading.

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

It's for issues that cause it not to drain then spin. I have a video dedicated just to no spin issues as well on my channel

[@wisheduknew294]

Hi periodically have to drain the water out of the line because gunk and stuff builds up in it. But it is so close to the floor and there is hardly any room to get a pan or anything under there any suggestions? I put a towel underneath it and a flat plastic pan but water always still gets all over the floor. Do they make any kind of a hose that you can attach to it? In order to drain it better? I would like to be able to see there better to get more gunk out.

[@thehannas2133]

Do you now how to clear the codes after fixing the washer?

[@stacielawrence8651]

My GE 2022 a light inside is tuning on and off none stoping , what this means?

[@stevemorin782]

I have this model washer. It won't go into service mode. Does that mean that a control board is bad? It's not draining and the filter is clear.

[@1airdrummer]

One major thing not covered here...if the drain fails and the washer is full of water, the washer door becomes locked and will not unlock. Even after you've drained most the water out. You just get shut out. The washer will also not perform any functions. The lights are on, but nobody is home.

[@tammynoone1591]

Try unplugging for a few hours, worked for mine last week. I had one 10+ years ago that wouldn't open, but I don't remember if I ever unplugged it.

[@Solteroencasa]

One question, I am about to buy this washing machine, is it a good option? And if it has an inverter motor? Thanks 😊

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

It has an inverter motor. Older units had issues with the inverter but AFAIK, GE fixed it

[@Solteroencasa]

@@bensappliancesandjunk thanks for your support 👍🏻

[@Chuck-x5t]

My GE washer is leaking . I checked the catch tray, and it's fine

[@ittech7967]

Hi Ben, iv one like this. its a few years older. I checked the pump and lines starts normal but will not spin. Any ideas? Thanks

[@garrettbanner4203]

Same washer the resistance in the pump is within grange but I’m not getting voltage to the pump when I force the pump to turn on with diagnostic mode 12. Should I just order a new pump?

[@jeffhunter215]

This is what’s going on with mine. Did you figure it out?

[@glasschicken13]

I replaced my pump cause I didn’t have debris. Put the new one in and it still does nothing. Very frustrated right now

[@CompletelyObsorbed]

Same. Did you solve the problem?

[@leahwojciechowski7953]

@@CompletelyObsorbed Did either of you figure this out? Going through the same thing with ours right now.

[@xy404]

You did not have to remove the door?

[@pullingstars]

I have one of these washers that has lost power. Nothing works. I’ve checked that power is present at the plug on the main board. I think the main board may be bad. Any advice? Thanks!

[@robertcobb4407]

Mine was not draining or spinning fast, i cleaned the filter and it still was not working properly, second try it started working again!

[@Watermelonysha]

Hello I do appliance repair in Florida, I needed to replace mcu board on this style ge front load washer and now it drains nonstop, I’ve tried 2 boards, I’m guessing I need to program it any idea how to do that?

[@331carrillo]

Have the same washer and water leaking from the control panel any idea what could be causing that?

[@XoJosyXo]

I need help! 😩 I have the GE EnergyStar model GFW450SPK0DG and it won’t fill with water and it won’t spin. Our water is on all the way and it’s just not working. Does anyone know what the issue could be?

[@raganidze]

It could be water walve, the part that water hoses hooks up into.

[@raulrobles2961]

What could cause the door to stay locked and not open on this washer?

[@apAvocado]

Every time I think I want to get a front load washer I research how to fix common problems. This machine looked like a great purchase but no thank you, that’s just too much work for me. I’ll stick to my top load washer that uses more water to wash.

[@Ikey04-ge9gy]

….do you just think such catastrophic failures happen to all front loaders??

[@arnalia27]

2 minutes into the video problem solved for me…no spin or drain….damn penny stuck in the filter at the bottom

[@ItsBinhRepaired]

The filter is stuck

[@APPLIANCEMAN1154]

Thank you for the video this ge washer model gfw850ssn0ww the problem i'm having is it will only drain and spin if you do a drain and spin only. If you put it on a normal cycle when it is ready to drain and spin it wil not go into drain what do you think this might be let me know thanks ben i have bought several of your samsung heater kits for there refrigerators and have 100 % taken care of them can you help me with this issue thank you.

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

Ugh, I don't have Service Matters for these. I THINK there's a bulletin for that for the board, but I'm not 100% sure.

[@commoncents6591]

Please sir I need your help I have the same washer and it makes a crazy sound when spinning I got a ge tech to come out and he said the sound is normal didn’t want to fix it plus every time I try a spin only cycle I keep going back to 13 min I might go to 10 or maybe 9 but then it jumps back to 13 . Tech said it’s normal gotta wait I’m like sir it’s not normal acted like I never used it or something. Really didn’t appreciate the tech service but I’m still under warranty and that’s who they sent

[@tazzedout82364]

I have this model washer, why is it spinning so slowly?

[@fulviodelafuente8802]

Hi there, My GE front loader does drain in all modes but won't spin. What could be the cause?

[@yaniraraya2428]

Same here!!! I bought mine brand new March 2021 and this just happened to me.. I don’t know what to do! It rinses but doesn’t spin once it’s time and there’s a sound like humming sound at first

[@stephanietruvillion6]

Yeah mine will not spin

[@BarraganNathan]

​@@stephanietruvillion6 did you find out what the problem was?

[@amandabarrera1757]

My front loader door is just completely locked. It is blinking, “DOOR” and won’t let me do anything. What do you recommend ?

[@dosborne7979]

Unplug it for a minute and plug it back in. That's what got mine unlocked. However my real problem is it's not draining. Still working on that one.

[@joy8624]

where can I order the pump ?

[@vimanaboy]

I drained the water and tried to run just a spin cycle but it still won't spin and the door remains locked. Any clues for me?

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

Look up service codes

[@HooHem]

Yo, my Samsung washing machine won't drain, but it didn't give me any error code, I can hear the motor of the drain pump working and it spins but the water won't get down, I tried to empty it using the emergency tube but it didn't work, any idea what happened to her?

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

I'd physically remove and check the pump impeller. If the magnets are shattered, it can hum and sound like it works, but won't run

[@kiabrown7252]

My blue pump filter won’t turn back in. Help

[@Adylan.hamilton]

Can you do a video on how to fix H2O supply error code ? 😂. That’s what mine is doing now

[@williamhidalgo6941]

Check your water inlet screens for sediment build up.

[@stacielawrence8651]

GE 2022 what's going on when I want to wash clothes and it keeps turning on and off and it doesn't start washing clothes