Blocked Drain Filter: Causes, Symptoms and Fixes

A few coins and a sock button are all it takes to bring your drain pump to a grinding halt.

What This Fault Looks Like

Slow draining, water left in the drum, or a burning smell as the pump strains against the blockage.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone — it’s one of the more common washing machine faults our technicians repair across Pretoria homes.

Why This Happens

In most cases, coins, hairpins, buttons, pet hair, and built-up lint collect in the filter over time, especially in households that don’t clean it regularly.

How We Repair It

When you book a technician for this fault, we locate and open the filter access panel, remove debris safely, check the impeller behind it for damage, and run a test cycle to confirm normal drainage before we leave.

We carry common replacement parts for most major brands, including Defy, Samsung, LG, Bosch, Whirlpool, and Hisense, so many repairs are completed in a single visit.

Should You Try to Fix This Yourself?

A quick word of caution: Some of these issues — like clearing a simple blockage — are safe for a confident homeowner to check first. Others involve electrical components or moving parts that carry real risk if handled incorrectly, and a misdiagnosis can end up costing more than the original repair would have. If you’re ever unsure, it’s worth getting a professional opinion before attempting a DIY fix.

A Final Note

We recommend clearing this filter every 1–2 months to prevent the issue from recurring.

Book a Repair in Pretoria

Our technicians offer same-day, on-site repairs across Pretoria for a fixed R450 call-out fee, which is waived if you go ahead with the repair. We’ll diagnose the fault accurately, explain what’s wrong in plain terms, and give you an upfront price before any work begins.

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