How To Clean A Washing Machine Filter

The washing machine filter catches coins, lint, hair grips, buttons, tissue fragments, and other debris before they reach the drain pump. When it becomes blocked, the machine may stop full of water, drain slowly, smell unpleasant, or show a drainage-related error code.

What the filter actually does

The filter sits before the drain pump and protects the pump impeller from hard debris. If the filter becomes clogged, water cannot move freely from the drum to the pump. If debris gets past the filter, it can jam the pump impeller and cause a buzzing, humming, or grinding sound during draining.

Common causes

  • Coins, buttons, hair grips, or small objects trapped in the filter
  • Lint, tissue, pet hair, or fabric fibres forming a blockage
  • The drain pump impeller jammed by debris behind the filter
  • The filter cap not tightened correctly after previous cleaning
  • A kinked or blocked drain hose causing water to back up into the filter area

Safe first checks

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Safety warning

If the machine is full of hot water from a recent wash, wait until it cools before draining the filter. Hot water can escape suddenly and cause scalding.

When to stop and call a professional

Call a repair professional if the filter cap is stuck, the filter housing leaks after refitting, the pump impeller is damaged, the machine still will not drain after cleaning, or you hear a loud buzzing noise with no water movement.

How this information is researched

Publisher: Error Code Lookup Editorial Team. Error Code Lookup is an independent appliance-information resource and is not affiliated with appliance manufacturers. Guidance is written in our own words and reviewed with safety boundaries in mind.

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Frequently asked questions

How often should I clean a washing machine filter?

For most households, checking it every one to three months is sensible. Clean it sooner if the machine drains slowly, smells bad, stops full of water, or shows a drainage error code.

Why is water coming out when I open the filter?

The filter sits at the lowest part of the drainage system, so trapped drum water will escape through it. Drain slowly using the emergency hose first if your machine has one.

What if the filter will not unscrew?

A stuck filter is often jammed by coins, hair grips, or hardened debris. Do not force it with tools. Forcing it can crack the pump housing and cause a leak.

Why does my washing machine still not drain after cleaning the filter?

The blockage may be further along the drain hose, inside the sink plumbing, or the drain pump motor may have failed. A jammed or broken pump can still cause drainage errors even with a clean filter.

Can a blocked filter make the washing machine smell?

Yes. Wet lint, old detergent residue, and trapped debris can sit inside the filter housing and create sour, damp, or sewage-like smells.