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Washer Drain pump filter: What It Does and Signs It's Failing

Many front-load washers have a debris filter (a coin trap) just ahead of the drain pump. It catches lint, hair, buttons and coins before they reach the pump. You get to it through a small access door at the bottom front corner of the cabinet; on LG front-loaders it's the bottom left.

How it works

Drain water passes through the filter basket on its way to the pump. Solid stuff stays behind and the water carries on. Once enough lint and hair packs in, the water barely moves and the washer throws a drain code.

Signs it is failing

• Slow draining or a drain error code
• Water still in the drum after the cycle
• Lint, hair or coins visible when you open the access door

On a front-loader, this is the first thing to open for any drain code. If the filter turns out clean, LG points at heavy suds, which trap air in the pump; use less detergent and run a tub-clean cycle.

Can you replace it yourself?

Unplug the washer, lay a towel and a low pan under the access door, and drain the leftover water through the small drain tube if your model has one. Twist the filter counterclockwise to pull it, scrub it with warm water and a soft brush, brush out the opening, then turn it back clockwise until it stops. LG says not to put the filter in the dishwasher; a new one is only needed if it's cracked or won't seal.

Buying the right part

On some models the filter comes only as part of the pump assembly, so check the parts diagram for your full model number before ordering.

Error codes linked to the drain pump filter

• F9 E1Washer is taking too long to drainAmana
• E18 / F18Washer is not drainingBosch
• E:36Drain pump blockedBosch
• E21Washer is not draining properlyElectrolux
• E30Washer will not drainGE
• E31Draining took too longGE
• SudToo many sudsGE
• E1Washer isn't drainingHaier
• F05Not draining: blocked pump filter or waste hoseHotpoint (UK)
• OEWater won't drainLG
• F9E1Washer is taking too long to drainMaytag
• 5CWasher is not drainingSamsung
• F0E2Too many sudsWhirlpool

Last reviewed 2026-10-19.