Washing Machine Freeze Prevention: How to Drain Water ===================================================== To prevent freezing in winter, separately remove any water left in the inlet hose, the machine itself, and the drain hose. This guide explains the different draining procedures for front-loading and top-loading models, what to do if the machine has already frozen, and when the freeze prevention function applies. - Check the user manual for your model for winter care instructions, and have a basin and towels ready. - Turn off the faucet, then disconnect the inlet hose according to the manual and drain any remaining water. - For front-loading models, use the residual water drain hose. For top-loading models, follow the manual's spin and drain procedures. - Remove any water trapped in the drain hose and securely replace any caps you removed. - Before using the machine again, check the hose connections and look for leaks during filling and draining. To prevent your washing machine from freezing, drain the water from the inlet hose, the machine itself, and the drain hose separately. For front-loading models, check the residual water drain hose at the bottom. For top-loading models, follow the draining procedure in the manual. Before freezing occurs, prepare a basin and towels, and check with the manufacturer's customer support for model-specific instructions. The thawing figures are based on Samsung Electronics Service's guidance dated October 20, 2026. Preparation and Parts to Check Prepare a basin and towels, then check the product's model name. Residual water is water that remains inside after a wash cycle ends. Freezing is when water turns to ice, while freeze damage means breakage caused by freezing. Freezing does not necessarily mean that a part has broken. Each part requires a different method of draining. Turning off the faucet does not automatically remove water from the machine and hoses. Use the table below as a checklist before starting. Part What to check What to do Faucet Whether the valve and connections are frozen Turn it off before disconnecting the hose Inlet hose Water remaining inside the hose Disconnect and drain it according to the manual Inside the machine Residual water in the pump and drainage passages Follow the draining procedure for the product type Drain hose Bends, pinched sections, and trapped water Drain the water and adjust the hose's position After a hot wash, wait for the water inside to cool before working. Place a basin underneath before opening the lower hose. LG Electronics warns about hot residual water in its drain filter maintenance guidance. LG Electronics drainage maintenance guidance Steps for Draining the Washing Machine Inlet Hose For the water supply side, turn off the faucet before draining the water. The connection method varies by product and installation fittings. If a connection is frozen and cannot be disconnected, stop the preventive work. After the machine finishes operating, turn off the power. Turn off the faucet. Disconnect the hose at the connection indicated in the manual. Lower the disconnected end of the hose toward the basin. Check that the water has drained from the hose. Check the cold and hot water connections separately as well. Draining one hose does not empty the other. If you cannot reach the connections, do not pull the machine out with excessive force. Comparing Residual Water Removal in Front-Loading and Top-Loading Washing Machines Front-loading and top-loading models use different methods to drain water from inside the machine. You do not need to look for a front-loader's lower residual water drain hose on a top-loading model. When doing the work, follow the user manual for your model first. Category Front-loading models Top-loading models Where to check Lower service cover and residual water drain hose Spin function on the control panel and drain hose Removing residual water from the machine Drain water from inside the pump through the residual water drain hose Use the spin and drain operations specified in the manual Checks after draining Replace the hose cap and close the cover Check that draining is complete and inspect the hose for trapped water Mistakes to avoid Assuming a spin cycle alone removes all residual water from the pump Following the lower drainage procedure for a front-loading model without adjustment How to Drain a Front-Loading Model If the product has a residual water drain hose at the bottom, use that hose to drain the water. Distinguish between the large drain filter cap and the small residual water drain hose cap. If the filter needs cleaning, drain the residual water first. Turn off the power and unplug the machine. Place a basin in front of the lower service cover. Pull out the residual water drain hose according to the manual. Open the hose cap and collect the water. Once the water has drained, close the cap and return the hose to its place. Close the service cover. LG Electronics' front-loading model manual provides instructions for draining residual water from inside the pump. It also explains that water inside the drain hose should be drained separately. The hose and cover may look different depending on the model. Winter freeze prevention in the LG Electronics front-loading model user manual How to Drain a Top-Loading Model For top-loading models, drain residual water using the spin operation specified in the manual. Manuals for models such as the LG Electronics T18MX7 instruct users to remove remaining water with a spin cycle. Do not apply the same operating time to other models. Remove the laundry from the tub. Check the manual for how to select the spin-only setting. Drain the water from the machine and drain hose using the specified operation. After the operation finishes, turn off the power and unplug the machine. Check for any remaining bends in the hose where water can collect. Follow the model-specific installation requirements for securing the drain hose. Be careful not to leave it in a position you used only for draining. Do not apply the same drain hose height to every product. LG Electronics fully automatic washing machine user manual Conditions for Residual Water Draining and Freeze Prevention Functions Manual draining and automatic prevention functions require different conditions. Some automatic functions repeatedly fill and drain the machine. Disconnecting the inlet hose while using such a function does not meet its operating requirements. Usage situation Method to choose Conditions to check Leaving the machine empty of water after use Manual residual water draining Shut off the water supply and replace the caps Using an automatic prevention function Set the function for that model Hose connections, power, and automatic shutoff conditions Being away from home for a long time Follow the manual's guidance for extended periods of non-use Check whether the automatic function remains active Difficulty accessing the hoses Consult the manufacturer before working How to access them given the installation Samsung Electronics Service specifies different automatic shutoff conditions for different models. Do not assume that setting the function once will keep it active throughout the winter. It also provides the following instruction. Make sure the end of the drain hose is not submerged in water. The source is Samsung Electronics Service's “I want to know about the freeze (freeze damage) prevention function.” That guidance also separately covers manual care involving hose disconnection. Check the section that applies to your model. Samsung Electronics Service freeze prevention function guidance How to Thaw a Machine That Is Already Frozen If the machine is already frozen, distinguish between preventive residual water draining and thawing. If water will not enter the machine, check the faucet and inlet hose first. If water will not drain, check the drain hose and the internal areas where residual water remains. Symptoms alone cannot confirm whether anything is damaged. The LG Electronics front-loading washer manual says to thaw the drain and inlet hoses before use if they freeze, warning that frozen parts may fail to operate or wear out sooner, creating a risk of fire or electric shock. The figures below are examples from Samsung Electronics Service's guidance. For other manufacturers or models, check the relevant manual first. Distinguish not only the water temperature but also the amount and where to add it. The LG Electronics front-loading washer manual cautions that using boiling water can cause burns. Frozen location Samsung Electronics Service's thawing guidance Precautions Water valve Wrap it in a towel soaked in 50~60℃ water Beware of burns from hot water Removable drain hose Soak it in 50~60℃ water to thaw it Do not bend a hose that has frozen solid Inside the tub of a front-loading model Add approximately 10L of 50~60℃ water and wait approximately 1 hour Check the amount and procedure for the model Samsung Electronics Service also mentions using a hair dryer to thaw the residual water drain hose. At the same time, it warns that high heat can deform the hose. Do not interpret this guidance as permission to heat the entire machine. Samsung Electronics Service winter thawing guidance Common Mistakes and Checking Operating Temperatures Do not decide whether the machine can operate based only on the temperature in the weather forecast. Check both the installation location and the product's official operating conditions. A freezing caution temperature for one product cannot be applied as the operating limit for all products. Do not assume that a completed spin cycle means residual water has been removed from every passage. Do not leave water inside the hoses after only turning off the faucet. Do not run the machine again with the residual water drain hose cap left open. Do not use another model's thawing water amount or heating method without checking. Do not leave spilled water on the floor. The basic requirement is an installation location that stays above freezing even in winter. LG Electronics' manual also instructs users to install the machine in a place that does not freeze. Check your model's manual for the exact installation conditions. LG Electronics winter installation and maintenance guidance Checks Before Using the Machine Again After draining residual water or thawing, restore the connections first. Open caps can cause leaks. Do not start washing after checking only that water enters the machine. Reconnect the inlet hose you disconnected according to the manual. Check the caps on the residual water drain hose and drain filter. Position the drain hose according to the installation requirements. Turn on the faucet and check the connections for leaks. Run the test operation described in the manual. Check that water enters and drains normally. If the machine still will not drain after you follow the thawing guidance, ask the manufacturer to inspect it. Having the model name and displayed error code ready will help with the consultation. Samsung Electronics Service recommends an on-site inspection if the machine does not thaw. Samsung Electronics Service post-thawing inspection guidance FAQ Q. Is all the water inside gone once the spin cycle is finished? A. In front-loading models, some water may remain in the drain pump. If your model has a residual water drain hose at the bottom, drain it separately according to the manual. Q. Is turning off the faucet enough to prevent it? A. Even if you turn off the faucet, water remains in the hoses and the machine. Check the water supply hose, the machine, and the drain hose separately. Q. Do top-loading models also have a residual water drain hose at the bottom? A. Do not assume they have the same structure as front-loading models. For top-loading models, follow the spinning and draining instructions in your model's manual. Q. At what subzero temperatures can it be used? A. There is no single minimum temperature that applies to all products. Check your model's manual for installation requirements and operating conditions. Q. Can I disconnect the hoses if I turn on the freeze prevention function? A. Functions that repeatedly fill and drain water require the hoses to be connected. Do not mix up the conditions for manually draining residual water with those for automatic functions. Q. Can I thaw it with a hair dryer? A. Samsung Electronics Service mentions this as a method for thawing the residual water drain hose. However, it warns that high heat can deform the hose. Before using this method on other parts or products, check with the relevant manufacturer. Q. Can I put laundry in right after thawing? A. First, reconnect the hoses and replace the caps. Check the water supply and drainage by running the test operation described in the manual. Also check for leaks before use. Q. If no water comes out of the residual water drain hose, is it frozen? A. The LG Electronics front-loading washer manual says that if no water comes out when you open the residual water drain hose cap, the drain section is frozen. Unless you have just drained the water, treat it as frozen and thaw it before use. Sources - LG Electronics Customer Support: Guide to drain hose and drain filter care: https://gscs.lge.com/gscs/collpack/contents/readChatbotContents.do?contentsId=20151264227890&corporation=LGEKR - LG Electronics front-loading washing machine user manual: Winter freeze protection: https://www.lge.co.kr/upload/PDF/DFZ/25805/1205251321_MFL48165918%5B1%5D.pdf - LG Electronics fully automatic washing machine user manual MFL71831225: T18MX7 and other models: https://gscs-b2c.lge.com/open/downloadFile?fileId=wkmbwoiSfWQYhVl3wgIng - Samsung Electronics Service: I'd like to know about the freezing (freeze damage) prevention feature, October 27, 2026: https://www.samsungsvc.co.kr/solution/38005 - Samsung Electronics Service: How to thaw a frozen washing machine in winter, October 20, 2026: https://www.samsungsvc.co.kr/video/28198 Images - A man drains water from a front-loading washer’s emergency drain hose into a basin.: https://injoys.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MzUzMTYsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--2da2d3878b71c88f1a47e385bb634d600e7b6d3e/ai-ddb3079e.webp - A woman holds a cloth against the tap’s hose connection beside a top-loading washing machine on an enclosed balcony.: https://injoys.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MzUzMjIsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--de42a8f19879b3c0321638f5f6b91909d29aee09/ai-b6143110.webp --- Category: How-to Source: https://injoys.com/en/articles/washing-machine-winter-freeze-prevention-draining License: cc_by Translation-Status: reviewed