How to Clean the Drain Pump Filter on a Whirlpool WFW5620HW Washer, Step by Step Instructions
Step by step instructions for the Whirlpool WFW5620HW (front load washer). Parts and access points can differ a little by production year. The steps below cover the common layout for this platform, and the model notes flag its quirks.
You can clean a washer drain pump filter on a Whirlpool WFW5620HW yourself in 15 to 30 minutes. Difficulty is easy. A pro charges a $130+ service call for a "won’t drain" visit.
- 5 steps, 15 to 30 minutes, easy difficulty.
- Tools you need are shallow pan or baking dish, towels, flashlight.
- Parts to buy are none, this is maintenance.
- Unplug the machine before you start.
Unplug the washer first. The trap may hold a surprising amount of water, go slow with the cap and let it drain into the pan in stages.
Tools
- Shallow pan or baking dish
- Towels
- Flashlight
Parts
- None, this is maintenance
Step by step
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1 Find the access door
On nearly every front loader there’s a small rectangular door or kick panel at the bottom front corner. Pop it open with a flat screwdriver or coin.
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2 Drain the water first
Most machines hide a small rubber drain hose next to the filter cap. Pull it out, aim it into your shallow pan, and remove its plug. No hose? Unscrew the filter cap a quarter turn and let water seep out in stages.
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3 Unscrew the filter
Turn the cap counterclockwise and pull the coin trap straight out. Expect gunk. Lint mats, coins, hair pins, guitar picks, and at least one sock over the machine’s lifetime.
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4 Clean everything
Rinse the filter under hot water, scrub with an old toothbrush, and shine a flashlight into the pump housing, spin the impeller with a finger to make sure nothing is jammed behind it.
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5 Reinstall and test
Screw the filter back in snugly (crooked threads leak), replug the drain hose, close the door, and run a short cycle to confirm draining and no drips.
Whirlpool WFW5620HW notes & error codes
Leave the door ajar between loads and run the Clean Washer cycle monthly with affresh or bleach, boot mold is a maintenance issue, not a defect. The pump filter behind the lower front panel should be checked yearly. Note on bearings. Whirlpool does not sell a rear bearing and seal kit for this platform, the bearing is pressed into the outer tub and is serviced only as a complete outer tub assembly, which is why a bearing quote here is so much higher than on a machine with a serviceable kit. Legacy Duet bearing kits sold online fit older platforms and will not fit this one.
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| F9 E1 | Long drain, filter, pump, or hose |
| F5 E2 | Door won’t lock |
| F0 E2 | Excess suds, reduce HE detergent |
| F7 E1 | Motor speed sensor fault |
| F0 E5 | Off balance load |
Full details for this machine, common problems, causes, and costs, are in the Whirlpool WFW5620HW repair guide. The general version of these instructions is here.
If the filter is clean but the washer still won’t drain, or the pump hums or grinds with the filter out, the pump itself is likely failing, and diagnosing pumps vs control faults is quick work for a tech. If you'd rather skip it entirely, find a washer repair pro near you
What this repair costs professionally
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