Bosch washing machine not draining or spinning? Try This

A faulty water level control, Drain pump Filter, worn-out clutch, defective motor control board, obstructed drain hose and defective lid switch are some common reasons why your bosch washer is not draining or spinning.

Having said that, these are not the only reason why your washer won’t spin or drain.

In this post, we will cover various reasons why the Bosch washing machine does not drain and spin along with possible solutions OR actions you can take.

Here’s what this post covers:

• Causes drain/spin issues and solutions
• Manually draining your washer
• Commonly Asked questions
• And More…

Let’s dive right into it.

Why is my Bosch washer not Draining?

Your Bosch washing machine may not drain due to multiple underlying causes.

It can be anything from an obstruction in hoses to a faulty drain filter.

Let’s take a detailed look into the various factors that can cause drain issues along with solutions if any.

Clogged or Faulty Drain components

The major components responsible for draining your washer are the drain pump, drain hose, and drain pump filter. Prolonged usage of the washer may result in a clogged or damaged drain hose and the filter, likewise, the drain pump may become faulty.

Let us look into each of them in brief:

Faulty Lid Switch

A faulty lid switch can confuse your washer and send a wrong signal, thereby stopping the washer from spinning and draining.

If the lid switch is not working OR if the door is left open, the sensor thinks that the door is not locked, due to which spin and drain function does not work.

The solution to this is to get the door closed OR get the fault corrected by either replacing the door lock or repairing it.

Drain Hose

It is extremely common for a drain hose to get choked.

Over time with extensive use of your washer, it’s common to see lint accumulation, buildups from dirt & detergent residues, mold & mildew formation, and even stuck foreign objects.

Another possible reason could be a kinked or twisted drain hose. A twisted drain hose can easily obstruct the water flow.

The only solution to such type of issue is to Inspect the drain hose thoroughly for any clogs and clean them.

Regular cleaning of the drain areas is always a good practice.

If the drain hose is twisted then simply straighten them to allow the water to drain.

Pump Filter

A Pump filter protects the pump by blocking the Lint and foreign objects that may cause a blockage.

As the washer drains there is always a possibility of tiny objects passing through the drain pump area and tend to build up over time, thereby choking the pump filter.

In order to solve the choked-out pump filter issue follow the below steps:

• Depending on your washer type and model, locate the filters and remove them for further inspection. 

• These filters can be easily removed and cleaned, In most cases, you should be able to get the information in the product manual itself.
• Clean the filter and remove the clogging by either making a cleaning solution at home OR by using readymade cleaners.

Note: Foreign Objects such as pins, screws, nails, coins, etc. can easily get into your washer through your pockets, therefore thoroughly check the clothes before putting them in the washtub.

If none of the troubleshooting steps work, try draining the washer manually.

Manual draining is just a workaround.

If things get resolved by manually draining the pump then you are good, if it doesn’t you may need a deeper diagnosis.

Let’s take a quick look at the steps to drain the bosch washer manually.

How do I drain the Bosch washer manually?

In order to fix several issues with the drainage system, you may have to drain the water from the washer.

Follow the below steps to manually drain your Bosch washing machine.

• The very first step is to unplug the washer from the power supply and disconnect the water supplies.
• Usually, at the front of the washer in the bottom right corner, there will be a drawer-like flap that you need to pull.
• Before you pull the flap, place a shallow container near the opening so that water spills out into the container, and for added protection place some soft towels around the area.
• Now open the flap cover and gently twist and pull the pump cover out.
• Disconnect the drain hose and remove the hose plug, and allow the water to drain into the container.
• You have successfully drained out the water manually from your Bosch washer.
• Attach the components back.

Note: Following the above steps will give you access to the drain pump and its filter that can be cleaned during the manual draining process.

If your washer performs properly after following the above steps then you may continue with your regular wash cycle.

If this does not work then there must be something wrong with sensors or defective internal components mainly the drain pump.

You may inspect the pump filter by using a multimeter.

If you don’t get to see the electrical continuity on your multimeter device, it’s likely that the pump filter has failed electrically.

If the pump filter has failed electrically, you will need to replace it.

Why is my Bosch washer not spinning?

If your Bosch washer does not spin or has stopped at mid-cycle, it is an indication of many underlying causes.

Some can be easy to solve and some may be due to severe issues with key internal components.

In short, it can be anything from a faulty drainage system to faulty motor and sensors.

Let’s take a quick look at some common underlying causes that stop the washing machine motor from spinning.

Also Read: What is rinse and spin in LG washing machine?

Drain system

A non-functioning drain will restrict the washer from spinning.

A faulty drain system does not allow the dirty water to flow out, due to which your washer is not able to move on to the next cycle.

If the washer does not drain automatically, then you may simply drain the washer manually.

You may have to inspect and fix the internal components such as the hose, pump, and filter of the washer’s drain system.

If nothing works, see an expert as your washing machine may need a deeper diagnosis.

Faulty motor or sensors

A faulty motor will not move at all.

Similarly, if sensors that control the wash cycle go bad, your washer won’t start the wash or spin cycle.

You may simply turn off the washer and unplug it from the power source, and then restart the washer after a couple of minutes and check if that works.

If a reset does not help, call an expert and get it inspected.

You may need to replace the motor if it has burnt out or if it is completely dead.

Worn-out Motor Belts

Worn-out motor belts can always slip or break, thereby affecting the spin function of your washer.

The washtub simply won’t spin especially if the belt is broken or it has slipped.

The solution is to either replace the belt OR put the slipped belt back into its original position.

Broken Drum

If all the above factors have been ruled out, check the drum.

There are chances that the drum is either broken from the bottom OR the rollers have gone bad.

If the drum has been completely broken from the bottom, you will either need a replacement OR get the repairing done by an expert.

Unbalanced Load

Almost all modern-day washers these days have a self-correcting feature where it tries to manage the unbalanced load.

But if the unbalanced load can’t be managed, your washer may stop and start the wash cycle.

At times, your washer may give you relevant errors and stop completely.

In such scenarios, you need to open the door of your washer and balance the laundry load manually.

Power Failure

This is obvious, a power failure will not only affect your washing machine but all the electrical components in your house OR apartment.

If the power failure is from the main, you simply need to wait until the power is restored.

And, if the power failure is specific to your washer, you may need to diagnose the fuse in the washer as well as check if all the cables are functional.

This can be done by using a multimeter and checking the electrical continuity.

Worn-Out Clutch

A clutch can easily wear out due to age and the extensive use of a washing machine.

If the clutch is worn-out, your washer will simply not spin.

The only solution here is to get a replacement as repair does not favor the cost-benefit factor.

Defective Lid Switch

A defective lid switch will not allow the sensor to trigger the wash or spin cycle.

This is because the sensor in your washer thinks that the door is not closed properly.

In such a scenario, either repair the door lock OR get the lock replaced.

Note: At times, the door may not close due to stuck clothes or a faulty gasket area.

Faulty Stator OR Rotor

Your washing machine simply won’t spin if the stator windings or rotors are damaged.

The best solution to this problem is a replacement and repairing won’t make sense because of the cost-benefit factor.

Other Faults

Other technical faults that may prevent the washer from spinning could be power fluctuation, faulty bearings, broken suspension, etc.

Final thoughts

The spin cycle and drain cycle are dependent on each other.

One function won’t work well without the other.

You should regularly inspect and clean the drain area of your washer.

Do not detach OR play with the electrical components of your washer if you don’t know what you are doing. Instead, consulting an expert is a much wiser decision.

Always be cautious while dismantling the washer parts required during an inspection and always unplug the washer while troubleshooting.

Frequently Asked Questions