Washer Keeps Draining on Its Own? Here’s the Real Fix – No Board Replacement Needed

It starts at any time. The washer suddenly turns on the drain pump – and it won’t stop. No error code. Just a loud, constant humming. The only way to shut it off? Unplug it from the wall.

This can happen after a cycle, during a cycle, or even hours later when the machine is supposed to be off. It wakes people up in the middle of the night. And here’s the kicker – it won’t stop unless you kill the power.

This issue affects many Whirlpool-made washers, including Kenmore, Amana, and Maytag models – all built on the same electronic platform. And if you search online or call a typical repair company, they’ll probably tell you this: “Replace the control board.”

In many cases, this problem is best handled by a professional washer repair service rather than replacing the entire board.

🔍 What’s Actually Happening

What you’re seeing is a flood protection mode. The control board thinks something is wrong with the water level: either the level isn’t changing or water is entering the tub on its own. So the system turns on the drain pump – continuously – to prevent overflow.

And here’s the truth: on these washers, the water level sensor is not a separate part. It’s a small piezo chip soldered directly to the board.

🧪 What You Can Try Before Calling

Here are 3 things you can test:

• Reset: Hold Start/Pause for 3 seconds. If the pump shuts off but restarts within seconds – this is not a glitch. The board is actively draining.
• Calibration Mode: Rotate the dial: 1 left → 3 right → 1 left → 1 right (within 2 seconds). If lights start flashing, you’re in test mode. Rotate the dial 4 more times to the right until RINSE is lit, press Start, and let the cycle complete.
• Water supply check: Are both valves open? Normal pressure? If the washer can’t detect water entering, it might trigger protection mode.

⚠️ If Your Washer Starts Draining by Itself

Especially at night – unplug it and call a tech. Do not leave it powered unattended.

💸 What Most Services Will Tell You

Most repair companies will recommend replacing the entire control board. That’s fast and easy for them – but expensive for you.

A new board costs $350+, if it’s even available. Special order: $250–$280 + 1–2 week wait. Add labor and tax – and you’re close to the price of a new machine.

At this point, most customers give up.

🛠️ What We Do at EasyFix

We don’t replace the board. We repair it by replacing the actual water level chip.

This is a tiny 8-pin component (usually ADP51B62M02) that we unsolder and replace on-site, using precision tools.

Here’s how the process goes:

1. Remove the board
2. Desolder the bad sensor
3. Solder the new chip
4. Reinstall and run full test/calibration

💡 Total cost: $317 – parts, labor, tax, everything included. We’ll show you the damaged chip, explain the cause, and leave your board working like new – no shipping, no trash, no upsells.

💬 And here’s the bigger picture: $317 all-in is a much more reasonable price – around 50% of what a new washer would cost. But most importantly, your favorite washer will be back to normal again. And let’s not forget: discarded appliances = massive waste. Household trash is bad enough – but broken washers and dryers? That’s serious long-term pollution. Repairing saves money and the planet.

🔧 What Models Are Affected

Whirlpool-built units: Whirlpool, Kenmore, Maytag. Typical boards: W10685173 and similar. If the board has an integrated water sensor, chances are we can repair it.

📦 How Long It Takes

• Most repairs are done in one visit
• Sensor is in-stock, no need to wait
• Price is confirmed before work starts
• Warranty included on the chip and the repair

📞 When to Call

• Washer starts draining by itself, even when idle
• Reset doesn’t help
• Calibration doesn’t fix it
• Washer stuck in drain

📷 Send us a photo of your model/serial label – we’ll tell you if it’s repairable. Or just contact us here.

🔎 Exact Match Keywords

washer keeps draining • drain pump won’t stop • flood protection mode • water level sensor • board repair • washer drains by itself