My Bosch washing machine won't drain.

If your washing machine isn't draining, it may be a serious issue. You'll need to check a lot of things before you can identify the root cause, isolate it, and then fix it. In this article, we'll explain how to identify the problem based on external signs, identify the approximate location, and tell you which parts you'll need to remove and how to check them without calling a technician. We hope you find it helpful.

It's all about the blockage

As soon as you notice that your Bosch Maxx 5 washing machine (or any other) is displaying a drain error, you need to restart the machine and see at what point the error occurs. It's important to listen rather than watch. If the pump is working and the drain is occurring, but it's too slow, the error occurs because the system isn't able to remove the dirty water from the drum within 10 minutes. In this case, there are a number of possible causes:

• blockage in the pipe between the pump and the tank;
• sewer blockage;
• blockage in the siphon;
• clogged waste filter;
• the pump is clogged.

In slightly rarer cases, the machine fails to remove water in a timely manner due to a broken impeller. Due to a manufacturing defect or other cause, the impellers break, and the pump, although functioning, cannot effectively pump out water. We'll check everything. Let's start with the simplest: the debris filter.

If you don't know what a debris filter is and have never cleaned it, it's likely the cause of the problem. On a Bosch Maxx 4 or any other washing machine, there's a small access door in the front lower right corner. Open the door, and you'll find a large black plug behind it. Place a rag underneath, or better yet, a small basin, and unscrew the plug.

Be careful! When opening the waste filter cap, be prepared for dirty water to spill out.

Inspect the inside of the debris filter and the plug itself. Remove any dirt, strands of hair, hairpins, coins, and other debris. Wipe the inside with a cloth and tighten the plug all the way back into place. If the problem persists, you need to dig deeper. Check how quickly the dirty water drains into the drain. Turn the faucet on full blast and observe. If the water drains poorly, there may be a blockage in the siphon or sewer. By clearing the blockage, you will solve the problem with the machine.

If the drain isn't working, the drain hose that runs from the washing machine body to the drain trap fitting may be clogged. Carefully remove the hose from the fitting and check for blockages. Clear a clogged hose with a wire or blast it with hot water.

The next step is to begin searching for the problem within the washing machine. From the front, you need to unscrew and remove the narrow front panel, which is located just under the front of the washing machine. We check the hoses and pump to find any blockage or foreign object and remove it. After that, of course, we reassemble the machine. If there is a partialdisassembling a Bosch washing machine If you have any difficulties, please read the article of the same name, previously posted on our website, and we will move on.

The pump is out of order

A faulty drain pump exhibits similar symptoms. It may hum but not drain, or not hum at all, in which case the problem can be quite simple to pinpoint. We access the pump and check its coil with a multimeter. If the unit doesn't ring, it's safe to replace it. If it rings but isn't working properly, you can disassemble it and investigate the cause of the malfunction, but it's best to avoid the hassle and replace it.

Buy only genuine parts. It's better to pay a little extra for a genuine Bosch pump than to have to repeat the repairs a few months later, risking buying Chinese parts. They might last for a while, but you'll likely end up wasting your money.

Problem with firmware

Sometimes a Bosch washing machine won't spin or drain, even though there's no clogs and the pump is functioning properly. So what's the problem? Quite often, errors in the firmware of the electronic module occur in Russian-assembled Bosch washing machines. Such errors can manifest themselves in different ways, for example, by blocking the operation of the drain pump.

We strongly advise against attempting to reflash the control module yourself. This will only make the problem worse.

What should you do in such a situation? Naturally, you should entrust this task to a professional. A technician will test the electronics, reset the firmware, and restore the system to working order. The procedure typically takes 20 to 40 minutes. In particularly serious cases, a firmware update may be required, but don't worry, it won't take much longer. Replacing the control module in this situation won't be necessary, so you'll get away with a minimal amount of hassle.

So, in most cases, the problem with poor drainage can be solved on your own. You just need to carefully observe how the washing machine behaves, isolate the problem, and then fix it. You won't need to take anything apart. All the problematic components are relatively easy to access. The firmware may be a problem, but this is very difficult to fix on your own. It's best to contact a professional!

   

2 reader comments

1. February 7, 2019 at 10:09 PM

   Azat:

   Thank you, I used the advice and fixed the problem myself!

   Answer
2. January 1, 2021 at 12:31 AM

   Ramzan:

   After replacing the heating element, the machine is not pumping water properly. Where should I look for the problem?

   Answer