The short answer
A Encore washer that leaves water in the drum has a blocked path, a stopped pump, or a drain line that is fighting it. In that order: the pump filter catches everything that comes off a load and blocks first, the drain hose routing is the next most common and is invisible from the front, and the pump itself fails last.
What you are actually seeing
- The cycle ends with water still in the drum — What it means: the classic drain failure — start at the filter
- The pump runs continuously but the level does not fall — What it means: a blockage downstream of the pump, or an impeller spinning free
- The machine drains slowly but does get there — What it means: a partial restriction — usually a loaded filter or a partly kinked hose
- Water drains and then comes back into the drum — What it means: siphoning, caused by a drain hose pushed too far into the standpipe
Causes, ranked for an Encore washer
- Blocked pump filter — Coins, buttons, hair and lint collect in the filter chamber at the base of the machine until flow stops. — Why this rank: Top of the list because it is the designed catch point, it blocks more often than anything else fails, and clearing it needs no tools.
- Drain hose kinked, too high or too deep — A hose crushed behind the machine, lifted above its maximum height, or pushed far into the standpipe all defeat the pump. — Why this rank: Second because installations are rarely revisited and because this is what produces intermittent and siphoning faults.
- Obstruction in the pump housing or impeller — Why this rank: Ranked here because it is found by hand once the filter is out, and because the sound is distinctive.
- Blocked household standpipe or trap — Why this rank: Ranked here: the machine causes but above the pump itself, because it is easy to test by draining into a bucket.
- Ranking basis: Ranked for this machine because these are the commodity parts a general supplier stocks by dimension, so they are both the likely fault and the obtainable fix.
What to check, and in what order
- Listen at the start of the drain step for the pump running — Step: First — Why here: a running pump with no flow is a blockage; a silent pump is electrical or a failed motor
- Clear the pump filter completely — Step: Second — Why here: it is the single highest-yield action on this fault and it needs no tools
- Pull the machine out and follow the drain hose to the standpipe — Step: Third — Why here: kinks, over-height routing and over-deep insertion are all found in the same look
Checks an owner can safely make
- Switch off at the wall. Put a shallow tray and towels in front of the filter flap. — Tools: tray, towels — Time: five minutes
- Release the small drain hose behind the flap and empty the machine into the tray, refilling as needed. — Tools: tray — Time: fifteen minutes
- Unscrew the filter, clear it, then reach into the housing and turn the impeller by hand.
- Refit the filter fully, close the flap and pull the machine forward to inspect the drain hose along its whole run.
Before you touch anything
Safety
The water in a stalled drum can be hot and there is a lot of it. Switch off at the wall first, let a hot cycle cool, and control the water before opening anything. Unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before removing any panel. A capacitor can hold a charge after the power is off. Never open the filter with the machine running.
Where an owner fix ends and a service call begins
The filter, hose and standpipe are all clear and the machine still holds water The pump is silent through the drain step The pump runs, the impeller turns freely, and there is still no flow
The nearest pages of this kind
What this page does not cover
Generalized information: this page covers Encore washers as a class, not any individual family or model run. No more specific page sits beneath it here yet, so confirm part numbers and access routes against your own machine.
Other Encore washer faults
Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
