Whirlpool Washer Drain Hose Clogged? (How To Fix)

Draining your Whirlpool washer is a part of the laundry process that is non-negotiable.

If you have noticed that your drain hose isn’t draining or is draining slower than usual, it most likely could be due to a clog in the drain hose, especially when you get an OE error which means your drain hose is kinked or clogged.

Here is why your Whirlpool washer gets clogged:

Lint, sediments, detergent residue, and other particles present in laundry may build up in the drain hose and get hardened thereby clogging the hose. This could be due to not allowing the drain hose to fully drain after the cycle. The drain hose can also get clogged when it gets frozen in winter.

In this article, we are going to show you how to clean your clogged drain hose and get it draining properly again in a little time.

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How to know if your Whirlpool drain hose is clogged

The drain pump is responsible for pumping water out of your Whirlpool washer through the drain hose when the wash cycle completes.

It pumps the water at a 3 or 4 psi pressure which is enough to drain all the water in your washer.

Lint and other particles from clothes may get stuck in the drain hose with time and block the smooth flow of water out of the washer.

When you notice that your washing machine is draining slower than usual and you hear a humming sound from the drain pump as if it is being stressed, a clogged drain hose could be the reason.

Here are some signals that your whirlpool drain hose may be clogged:

1. Error code F21 is displayed on the control panel

When water isn’t draining properly due to the hose kinking or being clogged, your Whirlpool washer notices and displays an F21 error code on the control panel.

It usually means that it’s taking too much time to drain water from the tub.

The first thing to check is to see if the drain hose is kinked. If the hose is in good shape, then the clog may be inside the hose.

2. You notice the water doesn’t drain quickly as usual

If you do your laundry often, you probably have come to familiarise yourself with how it behaves.

Any unusual behavior from your washer and there may be a problem somewhere, so you need to pay attention.

If you drain your washer and hear your pump working but little to no water comes out, it is likely the drain hose is clogged.

3. Washer sounds stressed

Just like you can usually tell when your car engine doesn’t sound right, it applies to your washer too.

If you hear that the pump is struggling to run then it may be clogged.

Whirlpool Washing machines aren’t designed to make loud noises when running so when you hear that your washer is making noise around the pump area, you need to check your drain hose.

You can detach the drain hose from behind the washer and blow air through it to see if there are any obstructions.

How to unclog Whirlpool washer drain hose

When your Whirlpool drain hose is clogged, you need to get it cleaned as early as possible.

Continuing to use your washer when the drain hose is clogged can end up damaging your pump and you may have to replace it totally.

Here is how to clean Whirlpool washer drain hose when it’s clogged:

1. Turn off the washer and water supply

For safety reasons, the first thing you need to do is to turn your washer off and also the water supply.

2. Detach the drain hose

The drain hose is located at the back of your Whirlpool washer. Disconnect it from the washer and inspect it to see if there are any materials blocking the hose.

3. Clean the drain hose

Use a wire to push out all the clogged materials from the hose.

Do it carefully so you don’t damage and punch holes in the hose as this may cause unexpected leakages.

Pour warm water through the hose to remove the smaller particles and bad odor that may be inside the hose.

If your drain hose is clogged because it’s frozen, you need to thaw it before running any wash cycle.

To thaw a frozen drain hose, pour warm water (about 60 degrees celsius) and shut the door for about 1 to 2 hours until the frozen hose is thawed.

After that, open the drain pump filter compartment located at the lower front of your washer and drain the water out through the tiny drain hose.

4. Reattach the hose back

After thoroughly cleaning the drain hose, reattach it back where it was.

Run an empty wash cycle empty and drain your washer to see if it drains properly.

Whirlpool washing machine drain hose clogged with sand

Washing machines can get clogged with sand when you’re fond of washing sand-filled clothes.

If you have sand in your clothes most of the time, then you need to be extra careful about maintenance.

You need to clean your drain pump filter and drain hoses regularly.

Follow the steps we listed above to clean a drain hose clogged with sand.

Conclusion

It’s important to regularly clean your Whirlpool washing machine drain hose whether they get clogged or not.

They get clogged when dirt and particles are left inside them for a long time to accumulate.

Cleaning your Whirlpool washing machine should be a routine you should keep up with so your washer can work best and last longer.

Check out other helpful articles on our blog:

Whirlpool Washer Drain Hose Clogged? (How To Fix)

Here is why your Whirlpool washer gets clogged:

How to know if your Whirlpool drain hose is clogged

1. Error code F21 is displayed on the control panel