How to Clean the Drain Pump Filter on a Whirlpool WTW5057LW Washer — Step-by-Step Instructions
Step-by-step instructions for the Whirlpool WTW5057LW (top-load washer, 4.7 cu ft, deep water wash). Parts and access points can differ slightly by production year — the steps below cover the common layout for this platform, and the model notes flag its quirks.
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 WTW5057LW notes & error codes
Deep water wash uses far more water than the standard cycle, which is exactly what some customers want. Complaints about clothes not getting clean often resolve by selecting it rather than by any repair.
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| F7 E1 | Basket speed sensor — usually the shift actuator |
| F5 E2 | Lid lock will not lock |
| F8 E1 | Long fill |
| F9 E1 | Long drain |
| LF | Long fill flag |
Full details for this machine — common problems, causes, and costs — are in the Whirlpool WTW5057LW 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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