A washing machine throws a drain error when it cannot empty the drum within the time its software allows, so it stops the cycle and shows a code instead of spinning a full drum. A washing machine drain error looks different on each brand, from 5C on a Samsung to OE on an LG, but the causes are almost always the same few things. This guide explains why the code appears, which checks are safe to do yourself, and when the drain pump needs a qualified technician.
Quick answer: A drain error appears when the machine cannot empty the drum within the time its software allows. The most common cause is a blocked pump filter, followed by a kinked or blocked drain hose, a blocked sink trap or standpipe, too much detergent foam, and, less often, a failed drain pump needing an engineer.
Why does a washing machine show a drain error?
The machine shows a drain error when the water level has not dropped within the expected time, which AEG describes as the machine being “unable to drain water within the expected time”. During each drain phase the pump runs and a level sensor checks whether the drum is emptying. If the level stays high for too long, the control board stops the programme, often keeps the door locked, and displays a code.
This is a protective feature. Spinning a drum full of water would strain the motor and bearings, and opening the door would flood the floor. So the code is not the fault itself; it tells you that water is not leaving fast enough somewhere between the drum and your household drain.
What are the most common causes of a washing machine drain error?
Five causes come up again and again on manufacturer support pages, and the first two appear on almost every one. Work through them in this order, because it runs from most likely and easiest to least likely.
- A blocked pump filter. Lint, hair, coins and hair grips collect in the filter at the bottom front. LG, Samsung, Bosch, AEG and Candy all list it first.
- A kinked, crushed or blocked drain hose. Pushing the machine back against the wall can fold the hose, and debris can lodge inside it.
- A blocked household drain. A clogged sink trap, under-sink spigot or standpipe stops water leaving even if the machine pumps perfectly. Candy lists an obstructed home drainage line as a cause.
- Too much foam. Excess detergent creates suds that confuse the level system. AEG and LG both mention suds, and Candy lists too much detergent.
- A faulty or jammed drain pump. A foreign object can jam the impeller, or the pump motor can fail. Bosch, LG and AEG all say this needs a repair service.
Candy also notes that some programme choices, such as a rinse hold or night setting that deliberately leaves water in the drum, can look like a drain problem. Check the programme before assuming a fault.
What do drain error codes mean on each brand?
Each brand uses its own code, but all of the codes below mean the same thing: the machine could not drain in time. We have only listed codes whose meaning we confirmed on the manufacturer’s own support pages. Older or regional models may use different codes, so check your manual.
| Brand | Drain error code | Manufacturer’s meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | 5C or 5E | The machine has detected a drainage issue |
| LG | OE | The machine is unable to drain the water used in the cycle |
| Bosch | E18 (also F18 or d02) | No drainage of water |
| AEG | E20, E21 or C2 (2 beeps or 2 flashes on some models) | The machine cannot drain water within the expected time |
For a deeper look at one brand, see our guide to the LG OE error code. Samsung’s own page on resolving a 5E or 5C error code also notes that the buttons are disabled for 3 minutes after the code appears.
How do you fix a washing machine drain error safely?
Three owner checks clear many drain errors: the filter, the hose and the household drain. Bosch’s advice for the E18 drain code starts by closing the water supply, switching the machine off with the button and then pulling out the plug.
- Switch off and unplug the machine, and turn off the water tap.
- Drain the drum through the filter flap. Put a towel and a shallow tray under the flap, pull out the emergency drain hose if there is one, and let the water out slowly. Expect a full wash load of water.
- Clean the pump filter. Unscrew it anti-clockwise, remove debris, rinse it and check the impeller behind it turns freely.
- Check the drain hose. Ease the machine forward and look for kinks or crushing behind it. If you remove the hose to clear it, put a bucket under the connection first, as Bosch advises.
- Check the hose height. Samsung says a standpipe drain hose should be at least 60 cm above the floor with no more than 150 mm of hose inside the standpipe. AEG’s support article on E20, E21 and C2 codes gives a drain height of 60 to 100 cm above the base of the machine, with the hose no more than 10 cm down into the drain.
- Do the bowl test. AEG suggests running a cycle with the drain hose in a bowl or sink. If the machine drains into the bowl, the blockage is in your household drain, not the machine.
- Listen to the pump. LG suggests running a spin only cycle and listening for a hum. A hum means the pump motor is working; silence suggests the pump has failed.
- Reduce detergent if the drum was full of foam, and run a rinse or drum clean programme.
Safety: Always switch off and unplug the washing machine before touching the filter or hoses, and let hot water cool first. Stop and book a qualified appliance technician if the impeller will not turn, the pump is silent, water leaks from inside the machine, or the fix would need panels or the casing removed. A blocked household drain beyond the sink trap is a job for a plumber.
When does a drain error need an engineer?
Call a qualified technician if the code returns after you have cleaned the filter, cleared the hose and passed the bowl test. At that point the likely causes are inside the machine: a failed pump, a jammed impeller you cannot clear, a blockage inside the machine, or an electronic fault. Bosch, LG and AEG all direct owners to their repair services at this stage.
If the machine is under warranty, contact the manufacturer before booking anyone else, and give them the exact code and what you have already checked.
How much does a drain error cost in wasted washes?
Each wash that stops with a drain error usually has to be run again, so the extra electricity equals roughly one full cycle each time. The water and detergent are wasted too.
Example: a machine label says 55 kWh per 100 cycles, which is 0.55 kWh per wash. At the October to December 2026 price cap average of 26.32p per kWh, one wash costs about 14.5p. Using the electricity cost calculator with 550 W for 1 hour a day, 2 days a week, models two rewashed loads a week: about 29p a week, or roughly £15 a year in electricity alone. A five minute filter clean every month or two would avoid most of that. Our page on how our calculators work explains the price figures we use.
How can you prevent drain errors?
- Clean the pump filter regularly. LG suggests every 1 to 2 months depending on use, and Samsung suggests 5 to 6 times a year.
- Empty pockets and wash small items in a mesh bag.
- Leave a gap behind the machine so the drain hose cannot fold.
- Keep the hose within the height limits in your manual.
- Use the dose of detergent the pack recommends for your load.
- Clear the sink trap if the kitchen sink drains slowly, since it often shares a drain with the machine.
Washing machine drain error FAQs
Why is my washing machine not draining but the pump is humming?
A humming pump usually means the motor works but water cannot get through. LG says this points to a clogged filter or blockage. Clean the pump filter, check the hose for kinks, and make sure the sink trap or standpipe is clear before suspecting the pump.
Can too much detergent cause a drain error?
Yes. Excess foam can interfere with the level system and stop the machine draining properly. AEG and LG both mention suds as a cause. Run a rinse programme without detergent, then use the dose recommended on the pack in future.
How do I get water out of a washing machine that will not drain?
Unplug the machine, put a towel and shallow tray under the filter flap, and drain the water through the emergency drain hose if your model has one. Otherwise, loosen the filter slowly to let water out a little at a time.
How high should a washing machine drain hose be?
Samsung says at least 60 cm above the floor for a standpipe, with no more than 150 mm inside the pipe. AEG says 60 to 100 cm above the base of the machine, no more than 10 cm into the drain. Follow your own manual.
Can a blocked kitchen sink cause a washing machine drain error?
Yes, if the machine drains into the sink waste. A blocked trap stops water leaving even though the machine pumps normally. AEG’s bowl test helps here: if the machine drains into a bowl, the problem is in the household drain.
Is a drain pump replacement a DIY job?
We recommend a qualified appliance technician. Replacing the pump means removing panels and working near electrical connections, and it may affect your warranty. Owner checks should stop at the filter, hoses and household drain, as the manufacturers’ own guides do.
Checked October 2026. Sources: Samsung UK: How to resolve a 5E or 5C error code, LG: OE error code front load washer, LG UK: Washing machine not draining, Bosch: E18 in display, Bosch UK: Not draining, AEG UK: Error code E20, E21 or C2, Candy: Washing machines that won’t drain, Ofgem: Energy price cap unit rates.
