LG Washer Drain Pump Problems: Fix Clogs, OE Errors, Humming, Slow Drain

LG Washer Won’t Drain: Real Troubleshooting (Homeowner Safe)

If an LG washer won’t drain, treat it as a drain path problem first: drain hose routing, house drain/standpipe blockage, then (front load models) a clogged drain pump filter. A simple hose-out test can separate “house drain clogged” from “washer-side drain issue” in minutes. (LG Electronics)

Quick Answer (read this first)

Run Drain/Spin (or Spin Only) with an empty drum, then verify the drain hose isn’t kinked and the hose end isn’t installed too high. Next, do LG’s quick isolation test: pull the drain hose out of the standpipe and run Spin to see if the washer pumps into a bucket. If it pumps, the house drain is clogged. If it doesn’t, clean the front-load drain pump filter (if your model has one). (LG Electronics)

At-a-Glance Checklist

• Try a dedicated Spin / Drain & Spin cycle (empty drum). (LG Electronics)
• Check the drain hose: no kinks, no crush, correct height. (Repair Clinic)
• Do the hose-out test (bucket test) to separate house drain vs washer issue. (LG Electronics)
• If front-load, clean the drain pump filter behind the lower front access panel. (LG Electronics)
• If temps are near freezing, suspect a frozen drain hose/pump. (LG Electronics)

Before You Start

• Have towels + a shallow pan/bucket ready (a drain test and filter cleaning can release water). (LG Electronics)
• Homeowner safe only: no panel removal beyond the small LG service cover/access door. (LG Electronics)

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting (Most Likely First)

1) Run a dedicated Drain/Spin (empty drum)

Why it matters: LG’s first isolation step is to run a Spin cycle to force a drain attempt and observe what happens. (LG Electronics)
Checks: Select Spin (or Drain & Spin) with no laundry. Listen for the drain phase and watch if water level drops. (LG Electronics)
What the result means:

• Drains normally: the “won’t drain” event may have been load-related or a one-time restriction.
• Still won’t drain: move to the drain-path checks below.
  Next action: Go to Step 2.

2) Check the drain hose routing and height (fast visual)

Why it matters: A kinked/crushed hose or incorrect installation height can prevent proper draining. (Repair Clinic)
Checks:

• Inspect the full hose path for kinks/crush points (especially behind the washer). (Repair Clinic)
• If your unit is top-load (and many LG installs follow similar limits), LG warns not to place the drain hose end higher than 96 inches above the bottom of the washer. (LG Electronics)
  What the result means:
• Hose is kinked/crushed or routed too high: draining can stall or be very slow.
• Hose routing looks correct: you still need to separate house drain vs washer-side issue.
  Next action: Fix obvious hose issues, rerun Drain/Spin, then go to Step 3.

3) Do LG’s “hose-out” test to isolate house drain vs washer

Why it matters: LG’s method quickly tells you whether the washer can pump water, or the house drain/standpipe is clogged. (LG Electronics)
Checks:

• Carefully pull the washer drain hose out of the standpipe/drain.
• Aim the hose into a bucket or a safe drain area.
• Power on and run Spin. (LG Electronics)
  What the result means:
• Water pumps out strongly into the bucket: the house drain/standpipe is clogged. (LG Electronics)
• Little/no water comes out: the problem is in the washer drain system (filter/pump/related).
  Next action:
• If house drain clogged: clear the standpipe/trap (plumber) and don’t keep running the washer until it drains freely. (LG Electronics)
• If washer-side: go to Step 4 (front load filter) or Step 5.

4) If you have an LG front-load washer: clean the drain pump filter

Why it matters: LG states a clogged drain pump filter can prevent draining and is a primary fix for drain errors. (LG Electronics)
Checks:

• Locate the lower front access panel/service cover. (LG Electronics)
• Place a shallow pan under the opening. (LG Electronics)
• Open the access panel; many models show a small residual water hose with a stopper and the filter cap. Drain residual water first, then remove/clean the filter. (LG Electronics)
  What the result means:
• Debris (lint, coins, small items) in the filter: that blockage can stop draining.
• Filter was clean and drainage still fails: likely a pump/line issue beyond homeowner-safe access.
  Next action: Reinstall the filter tightly, rerun Drain/Spin. If still no drain, go to Step 6. (LG Electronics)
  Stop and call a technician: If the filter area is clear and the washer still won’t pump water. (Sears Parts Direct)

5) If temperatures are cold: rule out a frozen drain path

Why it matters: LG specifically notes water may not drain in winter if the washer/drain path is frozen, and LG error guidance also references checking drain hoses/filters for freezing. (LG Electronics)
Checks:

• Is the washer in an unheated space or near freezing temperatures?
• Do hoses feel stiff/icy or is the room temperature very low?
  What the result means:
• Frozen drain hose/pump area can stop draining until thawed.
  Next action: Warm the space and allow thawing; then retry Drain/Spin. (LG Electronics)

6) If it still won’t drain after hose checks and filter cleaning

Why it matters: If the drain path and (if applicable) filter are clear, remaining causes are typically internal (pump failure, internal blockage, sensing/control) and not homeowner-safe. (Sears Parts Direct)
Checks: Stop here (don’t keep forcing cycles if water remains).
What the result means: You’ve eliminated the safe external causes.
Next action: Service call.
Stop and call a technician: Yes.

Fast Diagnosis: What Your Symptoms Usually Mean

• Drains fine when hose is out of the standpipe, but not when installed: house drain/standpipe is clogged. (LG Electronics)
• Won’t drain even into a bucket during the hose-out test: washer-side drain problem (front-load filter/pump system). (LG Electronics)
• LG shows OE error: LG defines OE as an inability to drain; common LG causes include a kinked drain hose or a clogged drain pump filter (model dependent). (LG Electronics)

Common Mistakes That Waste Time

• Replacing parts before doing the hose-out test (you can confirm “house drain clog” in minutes). (LG Electronics)
• Cleaning the wrong area: on many LG front-load models, the key user-access point is the drain pump filter behind the lower front access cover. (LG Electronics)
• Ignoring drain hose height/routing: LG specifies install constraints (example: top-load hose end not above 96 inches). (LG Electronics)

FAQ

Does every LG washer have a drain pump filter I can clean?
No. Many LG front-load models have a user-access drain pump filter behind a lower front service cover, but not every LG design is the same. If you don’t see a lower access panel, refer to the owner’s manual/model-specific specs. (LG Electronics)

What does LG “OE” mean?
LG states OE indicates the washer is unable to drain water; LG commonly points to a kinked drain hose or a clogged drain pump filter (model dependent). (LG Electronics)