Bosch Washer Won’t Drain? Here’s What to Do

It can often seem like no matter how many loads of laundry you put through your washer, there are always more clothes to go in. So, it can be very frustrating if your washer won’t drain after a wash.

This guide will go through the most common reasons why a washer won’t drain. Some of these problems are simple to fix, so read on to find out how to do it.

The following models of Bosch washer are covered by this guide:

WFK2401

WFL2060UC/22

WFMC1001UC/05

WFMC1001UC/06

WFMC1001UC/07

WFMC2100UC/01

WFMC3200MX/01

WFMC4300UC

WFMC4300UC/01

WFMC4301UC/02

WFMC4301UC/03

WFMC4301UC/04

WFMC4301UC/05

WFMC5301UC/03

WFMC5301UC/04

WFMC5301UC/07

WFMC6400UC/01

WFR2460

Drain Your Washer Manually

If your washer’s drain function won’t work, you’ll need another way to get the wash water out. Bosch washers have a drain that makes this easy.

Follow these steps to manually drain your washer:

1. Turn off the faucet supplying your washer.
2. Switch off the power to your washer at the wall, or unplug the appliance.
3. Remove the service flap at the bottom right of your washer’s front panel.
4. Place an empty bucket or tray on the floor, and aim the drain hose into it. Notice how much water is inside your washer – you may need a large container to drain it all.
5. Remove the plug from the drain hose, and let it flow until all water has drained out.
6. Replace the plug and the service flap.

Ensure the Drain Hose is Unblocked

Water drains from your washer through the drain hose in the back of your machine. This hose can become blocked if a foreign object lodges inside. It can also get kinked, restricting the flow of water.

Follow these steps to remove the drain hose:

1. Turn off the faucet supplying water to your washer.
2. Unplug the power connection to your washer, or switch it off at the wall.
3. Drain any wash water remaining in the washer manually.
4. Pull the washer out from the wall and locate the drainage hose.
5. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to loosen the pipe clamp holding the hose on to the wall outlet.
6. Place a bucket underneath the hose to catch any water remaining in the hose.
7. Carefully remove the hose from the wall outlet.

You can then try the following steps to check for and fix blockages:

• Untwist any kinks or sharp bends in the hose.
• Use a dish brush and detergent or a damp cloth with spray cleaner to clear in and around the wall outlet.
• Switch the power back on, place the hose in a bucket, and run the “drain” program on the washer.
• Unclip the hose from the washer, and rinse it out with hot water.

Clean and Unblock the Drain Pump

For the drain system to work correctly, the drain pump must not be blocked. This component is what pumps wash water out through the drain hose.

Normally, you can hear the pump working if you listen to the washer while it is draining. If you can’t hear it or you can hear a loud sucking noise, this could be the problem.

Follow these instructions to inspect the drain pump and clean or unblock it as necessary:

1. Turn off the faucet supplying water to your washer.
2. Switch off the power to the washer, or unplug it at the wall.
3. Remove the drainage flap at the bottom right corner of the washer’s front panel.
4. Manually drain any remaining wash water.
5. Unscrew the pump cover by turning it counterclockwise.
6. Remove foreign objects from the interior.
7. Use a long, thin object, like a pen, to turn the impeller – the rotating component that you can see when you remove the drain pump. It should be able to turn freely, so rinse it with water or use a brush to clean it if it can’t.
8. Use a damp cloth and spray cleaner to clean the interior, thread, and housing of the pump.
9. Firmly screw the pump back in.

Check if the Drain Pump Is Faulty

If you have cleaned out the drain pump and hose and nothing is blocking them, yet the washer still won’t drain, the pump itself may be faulty. A pump that has failed mechanically or electrically will not be able to remove the wash water from the washer.

Replacing the pump is usually best left to a qualified appliance repair technician, but you can follow the following steps to help diagnose the problem and determine whether you need to call in a professional:

1. Turn off the faucet supplying your washer.
2. Manually drain any wash water remaining in the washer, and remove any clothes.
3. Pour a few cups of water into the detergent drawer.
4. Start a program and stop it after a minute.
5. Listen for the pump and check whether water is draining. Check if the pump is making no noise or is making a loud whirring or grinding noise.

Clear the Sump Hose

The final place you can check for a blockage is in the sump hose underneath the washer. Foreign matter can sometimes make it past the filter and end up causing a blockage inside this hose.

Here’s how to clear it out:

1. Turn off the faucet to your washer, and unplug the power at the wall.
2. Take out any clothes inside the washer, and drain any remaining wash water.
3. Take the washer out from the wall, and lay it on its back.
4. Place a bucket underneath the hose.
5. Disconnect the hose from the pump chamber by loosening the jubilee clip with some pliers and pulling the hose out.
6. Disconnect the hose from the tub by using a Torx screwdriver to loosen the screw holding the collar in place and pulling the hose out.
7. Check inside the hose for any blockages and remove them; then rinse the hose out with warm water and detergent.
8. Replace the hose and replace your washer before turning the power and water back on.

These are the most common causes of a Bosch washer not draining. If the problem persists after following these instructions, the job is best left to a qualified appliance repair technician. Contact a washer expert to diagnose and fix the problem.