Why won't my washer drain or spin?

Often an unbalanced load, a clogged drain pump filter, or a door or lid that is not latching. Redistribute the load, clear the filter behind the small panel at the bottom front on many front-load washers, and check that the door closes fully. If the pump hums but will not drain once the filter is clear, the drain pump has likely failed, a $150–$350 repair.

How long does a washing machine last?

Most washers last about 10–14 years. Pumps, switches, valves, and belts wear out sooner and are replaceable on their own.

What does washing machine repair cost in 2026?

A service call and diagnosis is $100–$200. A lid switch, door lock, or drive belt is $100–$300, a water inlet valve $150–$300, a drain pump $150–$350, and a control board $250–$600. Drum bearings, a transmission, or a tub run $400–$900 or more. A new standard washer is $600–$1,800, plus $100–$250 for delivery, installation, and haul-away where the store does not include it.

How often should washing machine hoses be replaced?

Many washer manuals recommend replacing the fill hoses every 5 years, and any hose that bulges, cracks, or weeps at the ends should go now. A burst fill hose can release water until someone turns it off. Braided stainless steel hoses cost $15–$40 a pair.

Repair or replace a washing machine?

Q: Should I repair or replace my washing machine?

If it is under about 7 years old, repair it unless the drum, bearings, or transmission have failed and are out of warranty. If it is past about 7 years and the repair costs more than half the price of a new one, replace it. Worn drum bearings, a failed transmission, and a cracked tub usually mean replacing the washer.

A washer that will not drain, spin, or fill is often an unbalanced load, a clogged filter, or a $150–$350 part. The decision turns on how old the washer is, which part failed, and how the repair quote compares with a new one. The failures that usually end a washer are in the drum: worn bearings, a failed transmission, or a cracked tub.

Check the cheap causes first

Before you book a repair, rule out the things you can fix yourself:

An unbalanced load or an unlevel washer. Heavy items like towels and blankets bunched on one side stop the spin cycle. Redistribute the load, and adjust the feet until the washer does not rock.
A clogged drain pump filter. Many front-load washers have one behind a small panel at the bottom front. Coins, socks, and lint block it and leave water in the drum. Put down towels first.
Clogged inlet screens. If the washer fills slowly, turn off the water, unscrew the fill hoses, and rinse the small screens where they attach.
A door or lid that is not latching. The washer will not start or spin if its switch cannot tell the door is shut.

Repair or replace by the part that failed

Usually worth repairing on a washer under about 7 years old:

A drain pump that hums but will not drain once the filter is clear.
A lid switch or door lock, a water inlet valve, or a drive belt.
A control board, on a newer or higher-end model.

Usually worth replacing:

Worn drum bearings, which sound like a loud roar or grinding during the spin cycle. On most washers the drum has to come apart to reach them, and the labor makes it a $400–$900 repair or more.
A failed transmission or a cracked tub.
Rust through the cabinet, or repeat failures on the same machine.

The age and price test

Most washers last about 10–14 years. If the washer is under about 7 years old, repair it unless the drum, bearings, or transmission have failed and are out of warranty. If it is past about 7 years and the repair costs more than half the price of a new one, replace it.

A new washer also uses less. Per ENERGY STAR, certified clothes washers use about 20% less energy and about 30% less water than regular washers, and full-sized certified models use 14 gallons of water per load, compared to the 20 gallons used by a standard machine. Most of that saving is hot water: ENERGY STAR says water heating consumes about 90% of the energy it takes to run a washer.

Check the hoses, whichever you choose

A burst fill hose can release water until someone turns it off. Look at the hoses behind the washer once a year, and replace any that bulge, crack, or weep at the ends. Many washer manuals recommend replacing the fill hoses every 5 years. Braided stainless steel hoses cost $15–$40 a pair. If the washer is upstairs or above a finished room, a drain pan and a water leak alarm cost little next to a ceiling repair.

What it costs in 2026

Service call and diagnosis: $100–$200, often applied to the repair.
Lid switch, door lock, or drive belt: $100–$300.
Water inlet valve: $150–$300.
Drain pump: $150–$350.
Control board: $250–$600.
Drum bearings, transmission, or tub: $400–$900 or more.
New washer: $600–$1,800 for a standard top-load or front-load model, plus $100–$250 for delivery, installation, and haul-away where the store does not include it.

See our methodology for how we build these bands. Parts for older or less common models can take weeks to arrive.

The bottom line

Rebalance the load, level the washer, and clear the pump filter and inlet screens first. Repair pumps, switches, valves, and belts on a washer under about 7 years old. Replace a washer past about 7 years when the repair costs more than half the price of a new one, and replace one with failed bearings, a failed transmission, or a cracked tub. Check the fill hoses every year either way.