Quick answer: On most front-load washers the drain pump filter sits behind a small panel at the bottom front corner. Put down towels and a shallow pan, drain the water through the small emergency hose, then turn the filter counterclockwise to pull it out. Rinse it, turn it back in clockwise until it stops, and run a short drain cycle to check for leaks. LG recommends doing this monthly.
Why this filter matters
The drain pump filter catches coins, hair ties, lint and small socks before they reach the pump impeller. When it clogs, water drains slowly or not at all. Samsung lists the symptoms of a blocked filter as clothes still wet after the cycle, longer cycles, poor spinning, and extra noise or vibration. On LG washers, a clogged filter is a common cause of the OE (drain) error.
Top-load washers usually do not have a user-serviceable drain filter. If you own a top-loader, skip to the section on what to check when the filter is not the problem.
What you need
- Two or three old towels
- A shallow pan or baking dish (a bucket will not fit under the hose)
- A coin or flat screwdriver for panels that pry open
- A soft brush or old toothbrush
- 15–20 minutes, longer if the washer is full of water
Before you start: safety
- Turn the washer off and unplug it. Whirlpool’s instructions say to disconnect power first.
- Let hot water cool. If the washer stopped mid-cycle on a hot wash, wait until the water is lukewarm before opening anything.
- Expect more water than you think. A washer that stopped full can hold several gallons. You will empty the pan many times.
Where the filter is, by brand
| Brand | Where to look | How the cover opens |
|---|---|---|
| LG | Lower front-left access panel on most front-loaders and washer/dryer combos; some models have it on the right | Pull the tab down and out |
| Samsung | Small access door at the bottom front | Press firmly, or pry with a coin on some models |
| Whirlpool / Maytag | Bottom front; on some models you reach it by removing the storage drawer below the washer | Panel or drawer, depending on model |
| GE, Electrolux, Frigidaire, Bosch | Bottom front corner behind a kick panel or small door | Usually a clip or a coin slot |
If you cannot find a panel, check your owner’s manual. Whirlpool notes that only some of its models have a filter the owner can clean.
Step-by-step: drain and clean the filter
- Lay towels on the floor in front of the access panel and place the shallow pan next to it.
- Open the access panel. Pull the tab, press the door, or pry it gently with a coin.
- Drain through the emergency hose. Pull the small hose out a few inches, aim it into the pan and remove its plug. Do not pull the hose too far, or it can kink. When the pan is nearly full, put the plug back, empty the pan, and repeat until no more water comes out.
- Replug the hose firmly and clip it back in place.
- Remove the filter. Turn the large cap counterclockwise. Keep a towel under it, because some water always remains.
- Clean it. Pull out lint, hair and objects by hand, then rinse the filter under the tap and scrub it with a soft brush.
- Wipe the filter opening with a damp cloth and look inside with a flashlight. Remove anything stuck near the pump impeller.
- Reinstall the filter by turning it clockwise until it stops. On Whirlpool models the handle should end up close to vertical.
- Close the panel and plug the washer back in.
Test your work
Run a Rinse + Spin or Drain/Spin cycle with the washer empty. Watch the filter cap for the first two minutes. A drip means the cap is cross-threaded or not fully tightened: unplug, remove it, and screw it in again.
How often to clean it
- LG: monthly, and any time drainage slows or the washer shows OE.
- Whirlpool: every few months, or as needed based on how much lint builds up.
- Samsung: regularly; no fixed interval.
A practical rule: clean it monthly if you wash pet bedding, towels or kids’ clothes often, and every two to three months otherwise.
When the filter is not the problem
If the filter was clean and the washer still will not drain:
- Drain hose: check for kinks behind the washer and make sure the hose is not pushed too far into the standpipe.
- Drain pump: with power off, you should be able to turn the impeller by hand through the filter opening. If it is jammed or the pump hums but does not pump, the pump may need replacing.
- Pressure switch or control: if the washer drains but still shows a drain error, the fault may be electrical. That is a job for a technician or a careful DIYer with a multimeter.
FAQ
Why is there so much water when I open the filter?
The filter sits below the drum’s water line, so any water left in the tub and pump runs out. Always drain through the emergency hose first.
Can I run the washer without the filter?
No. Water will pour out of the opening, and debris will go straight into the pump.
My filter will not turn. What now?
Wrap it in a dry towel for grip and turn counterclockwise steadily. Do not use pliers on the plastic cap; it can crack.
