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Washer Drain hose: What It Does and Signs It's Failing

The drain hose is the corrugated hose off the back of the washer that runs to the standpipe, laundry sink or floor drain. Inside the cabinet, a shorter hose links the bottom of the tub to the pump. Between them, they carry all the water out of the machine.

How it works

The pump pushes water up and out through the hose, and a hook or clip holds the end in the standpipe. If the hose is kinked, crushed against the wall or clogged, the pump can't clear the tub in time and the drain times out.

Signs it is failing

• Washer drains slowly or not at all with a clean filter
• Water seeping from behind or under the machine
• Hose flattened or bent sharply where the washer was pushed back
• Cracks or splits along the hose

A kink here gives the same drain-timeout codes as a bad pump, so it's one of the first checks.

Can you replace it yourself?

Unplug the washer, pull it out and run your hand along the whole hose for kinks, crush marks and splits. On LG front-loaders, don't pull the small drain tube at the filter too far out, because it can kink inside; if nothing drains, push it back in about 1 in (2.5 cm). The outside hose comes off with a screwdriver or pliers at the clamp, but the internal tub-to-pump hose means draining the tub and taking off the back panel.

Buying the right part

Match length, inside diameter and clamp style to your model, and stick to the hose length your installation guide calls for.

Error codes linked to the drain hose

• F9 E1Washer is taking too long to drainAmana
• F21Drain problemAmana
• E18 / F18Washer is not drainingBosch
• E21Washer is not draining properlyElectrolux
• E21Washer is draining too slowlyFrigidaire
• EF1Drain pump is cloggedFrigidaire
• E30Washer will not drainGE
• PoSlow drain (top-load)GE
• E1Washer isn't drainingHaier
• F05Not draining: blocked pump filter or waste hoseHotpoint (UK)
• OEWater won't drainLG
• F9E1Washer is taking too long to drainMaytag
• SudToo many sudsMaytag
• 5CWasher is not drainingSamsung
• LCWater leak or water level problemSamsung
• F9E1Long drain timeWhirlpool
• F21Drain problem (older front-loaders)Whirlpool
• F0E2Too many sudsWhirlpool

Last reviewed 2026-10-19.