Dryer Not Heating? 7 Common Causes and Repair Costs in Utah
A blown thermal fuse, a burned-out element, a weak gas igniter or a clogged vent cause most cold dryers. Here is how to narrow it down and what the fix costs.
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Why is my washer not draining?
A washer usually stops draining for one of 6 reasons: a clogged pump filter or coin trap, a kinked or blocked drain hose, a failed drain pump, a clogged standpipe or laundry sink drain, a lid switch or door lock that stops the drain step, or a control board fault. Most are fixed in one visit for approx. $150 to $450.
If the checks below do not fix it, our washer and dryer repair technicians fix front-load and top-load washers from Whirlpool, Maytag, GE, Samsung, LG, Speed Queen and Electrolux all along the Wasatch Front.
Is it the washer or the house drain?
Check the house drain first, because it costs nothing. Pull the washer out, lift the drain hose out of the standpipe and lower it into a bucket. Run a drain or spin cycle. If water pumps out fast into the bucket, the washer works and the standpipe or house drain is clogged. If it trickles or does nothing, the problem is in the washer.
| What you notice | Most likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water pumps into a bucket fine | Clogged standpipe or house drain |
| Pump hums, little water moves | Clogged filter or a jam in the pump |
| No sound at all during drain | Failed drain pump, wiring or control |
| Drains slowly, leaves an inch of water | Partly blocked filter or kinked hose |
| Stops before drain, flashes a code | Lid switch, door lock or control |
| Water backs up from the floor drain | Main house drain, not the washer |
What are the 6 common causes?
1. A clogged pump filter or coin trap
Most front loaders and many newer top loaders have a filter behind a small panel at the bottom front. Socks, coins, hair ties and lint collect there. This is the most common cause, and you can clear it yourself.
2. A kinked or blocked drain hose
Pushing the washer back against the wall can kink the hose. A small sock can also lodge inside it. Check the full length from the washer to the wall.
3. A failed drain pump
The pump can wear out, or a hard object can crack the impeller. A pump that hums but does not move water, or makes no sound at all, often needs to be replaced.
4. A clogged standpipe or laundry sink
Lint builds up in the wall drain over years. In older homes in Murray, Millcreek and Midvale, cast iron or galvanized drains can also narrow with scale.
5. A lid switch or door lock fault
The washer will not drain or spin if it thinks the lid or door is open. A worn lid switch on a top loader or a failed door lock on a front loader stops the cycle before the drain step.
6. A control or sensor fault
A pressure sensor or the control board tells the pump when to run. If they fail, the washer may never call for a drain. These need meter testing.
Washer still full of water? Call now for washer repair in Utah.
What can you check safely?
- Unplug the washer and turn off both water valves.
- Bail out the water or drain it through the front panel into a shallow pan.
- Clean the pump filter. Unscrew it slowly, clear lint and objects, and screw it back in tight.
- Check the drain hose for kinks and blockages along its full length.
- Do the bucket test above to rule out the house drain.
- Run a rinse and spin and listen for the pump. Note any error code.
Do not run the washer over and over with water stuck in it. A pump that keeps trying against a jam can overheat and fail.
Does Utah's water or winter play a part?
Yes, in two ways. Much of the Salt Lake Valley and Utah County has hard water, and mineral scale mixes with lint and soap to coat pumps, hoses and filters over time. And in winter, washers in unheated garages or basements on the bench can have water freeze in the pump or hose, which blocks draining until it thaws.
- Clean the pump filter every 1 to 3 months.
- Run a washer cleaning cycle monthly, and use HE detergent at the right dose.
- Keep the laundry space above freezing, or drain the pump and hoses before a cold snap.
- Replace rubber fill hoses every 5 years with braided ones.
What does washer repair cost in Utah?
Most washer repairs in Utah cost approx. $150 to $450 with parts and labor. The diagnostic visit is usually approx. $95 to $150. Clearing a jam or replacing a lid switch sits at the lower end. A drain pump, door lock or control board sits higher. You get the price before any work starts.
| Appliance | Typical repair (approx.) | Common fixes |
|---|---|---|
| Washer | $150 – $450 | Drain pump, door gasket, suspension, inlet valve |
Repair or replace?
Repair usually makes sense if the washer is under about 10 years old and the fix is less than half the price of a new one. A drain pump is one of the most common and affordable washer repairs. If a 12-year-old washer needs a new control board or has a leaking tub, compare the quote with a new unit.
We cover homes across the valley, including appliance repair in Taylorsville, appliance repair in West Valley City and appliance repair in Riverton. Need an appliance repair person who answers the phone? Call any time.
Why is my washer not draining?
The most common causes are a clogged pump filter or coin trap, a kinked or blocked drain hose, a drain pump that has failed, a clogged standpipe in the wall, a lid switch or door lock that stops the drain step, or a control fault. Start with the filter and the hose.
How do I drain a washer full of water?
Unplug it first. On a front loader, open the small panel at the bottom front, put down towels and a shallow pan, and drain the water through the short hose or by slowly unscrewing the filter. On a top loader, bail the water with a bucket or lower the drain hose into a bucket on the floor.
Can hard water cause a washer not to drain?
It can add to it. Utah's hard water leaves mineral scale that builds up with lint and detergent in the pump and hose over time. A yearly filter clean and a cleaning cycle with a washer cleaner help prevent it.
How much does washer repair cost in Utah?
Most washer repairs in Utah cost approx. $150 to $450 with parts and labor. A drain pump replacement usually falls inside that range. The diagnostic visit is usually approx. $95 to $150.
