How to drain an LG washer? (Includes force draining)

Depending on your LG washer model and type, the ways to drain the machine will vary. The most common way to force drain a washing machine is by selecting the spin-only cycle. However, you can also manually drain the washer by opening the drain cap or plug located near the drain pump. Additionally, in some top-load models, water can be forcefully drained from the back of the machine through the drain hose with the help of an emergency drain lever.

Why and when should you force-drain the washer?

There can be many reasons why you might want to manually force-drain the washing machine.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the common reasons to drain the LG washing machine.

Power cuts

It may happen that your washer is in the middle of washing clothes when there is a sudden power cut lasting a long time.

So, instead of leaving the clothes in the machine, it is always better to drain the water from the machine and remove the garments from the tub to avoid any buildup of odor.

Also Read: Can washing machines run on inverter power?

Unwanted objects in the tub

This is a common factor that forces you to forcefully drain the washer in order to open the door and access the washtub.

It could also happen that you load your pants or jacket and later realize that you have something important left in your pocket.

In such a scenario, you would need to drain the washer before retrieving the item.

Overloading

If you have put too many clothes in the washer and it is unable to spin properly, you may need to manually drain the water to resolve the issue.

Washer denies draining

It can be due to some faulty components, such as the drain pump, sensors, control board, electrical wiring faults, etc., that have caused the draining process to malfunction.

Another reason could be blockages in the drain system or kinked hoses.

If this is the case, you should first drain the water from the machine and then look into the causes to fix them accordingly.

Mechanical failure

If there is a problem with the washer’s pump or motor, you may need to manually drain the water if the machine is unable to drain it automatically.

Note: These are not the only reasons why you may want to drain the washer manually, these are just the most common causes.

How to drain an LG washer? (Also covers force draining)

To force drain your LG washing machine in an emergency, you may follow the steps listed below:

Method 1: Use the Spin Only cycle

Using a spin-only cycle, you can drain the entire water from the washing machine’s tub.

Just select the spin-only cycle or turn the knob to spin only, and then press the start button.

As soon as you press the start button, the washing machine will automatically drain the water from the tub.

Once the washing machine is empty of water, simply cancel or pause the spin-only cycle if you don’t want the tub to spin further.

That being said, if for some reason, the spin-only cycle did not work for you or if there was a power cut, then simply move to Method 2 below.

Method 2: Manually force drain the LG washing machine

To drain the LG washing machine through the drain plug, you can follow the below steps.

Step 1. Unplug the washing machine

Turn off your LG washer and unplug it from the power supply.

Step 2: Grab a container

Grab a large container and place it near the drain filter cover at the front bottom of the machine.

Additionally, you can lay a few absorbent towels around the machine to prevent spillage.

Step 3: Remove the drain cover

Open the drain filter cover using a flathead screwdriver or a butter knife by inserting it into the slot above the access panel.

Gently pry it out, and then remove the drain plug from the emergency drain hose.

Step 4: Drain the water

Now the water will start draining from the machine, so be alert and careful while collecting the water in the container.

To be on the safe side, make sure to keep additional containers to prevent overflow if there’s excess water.

Step 5: Clean the drain filter

Once the washer drains out, remove the drain filter for cleaning purposes.

Simply, turn the filter counterclockwise and pull it out of its assembly.

Next, apply some soap over the filter and brush out any debris or build-ups using a soft-bristled brush.

For stubborn buildups, make sure to soak the filter in soapy water for about 15 minutes before rinsing it with clean water.

Step 6: Clean around the surface

Inspect and clean the areas near the drain filter, including the emergency drain hose.

Step 7: Reinstall the filter

Now, reinstall the drain filter by pushing it into its place and turning it clockwise to secure it.

Fix the emergency drain hose cap to its place and secure it firmly.

Step 8: Reinstall the drain filter cover

Reinstall the filter cover by aligning it properly into the holes at the bottom of the access panel opening.

Finally, gently push it in to set or simply fold it, depending on its fixture.

Step 9: Run a test cycle

Plugin the washer into a power source and run a test cycle to make sure that there aren’t any leaks from the drain system.

Method 3: Manual draining through the drain hose and lever

Some washer model types can be force drained through the drain hose or with the help of the emergency drain lever.

To do this you will need to access the bottom backside of the machine.

This method is used if there is a fault with the control board or the drain pump that is preventing the water from draining.

Step 1: Disconnect the washer from the power

The initial steps are the same which is to unplug the washing machine from the power.

Step 2: Remove water inlet hoses

The next step is to turn off the water supplies. This is because you will need to move the washing machine away from the back wall to access the drain hose at the back of the machine.

You may need a screwdriver or an adjustable wrench to remove the water inlet hoses from the machine.

However, if the inlet hoses are long enough, you don’t need to remove them; instead, simply turn the washer to the left or right to access its back.

Step 3: Move the washer

Start by moving the washer away from the wall or simply turning it in one direction to access its back.

Step 4: Disconnect the drain hose

Place a large bucket under the drain hose to collect water as you remove the drain hose.

Also, you may place a few large absorbent towels on the floor near the washer to soak up water spills.

To remove the drain hose, either loosen the clamp that secures the drain hose or twist and pull it away from the drainage pipe, depending on the fixture.

It’s always best to refer to the user manual of your washing machine model for proper instructions.

Carefully pull the drain hose away from the washing machine and let any remaining water drip into the container.

Step 5: Drain the washer

Once the drain hose is detached, inspect the drainage hole on the washing machine for any debris or a stuck object that may be causing a blockage.

You can use a plunger or a plumber’s snake to remove any debris if necessary.

Moreover, in some washer models, you will find an emergency drain lever or a drain valve sitting below the washer drum.

Once you pull the drain valve, it will start draining the water from the machine.

You can refer to the user manual of your washer model to locate the emergency drain lever or valve.

Once all the water is drained, simply pour a bucket of water into the washtub to check if it flows freely from the drain.

Step 6: Reconnect everything back

Reconnect the drain hose to the washing machine by either twisting or pushing it back onto the drainage pipe until it’s snug.

Now, push the clamp and tighten it securely in its place.

Push the washer back to its place and make sure to wipe the floor.

Connect the inlet hoses carefully, and then plug in the washer to run a test cycle.

Final Thoughts

Draining the water from a washing machine’s tub can be done in several ways, depending on the circumstances and options available on your washer.

If the drain system is not working in your washing machine, make sure to identify the cause and fix it before you start your next cycle.

Remember, emergency drains or manual draining should not be done frequently.

Finally, you should always refer to the user manual of your particular washer model before troubleshooting the errors.

If you are unsure about troubleshooting drainage issues, it’s best to consult a professional for assistance.