Kenmore front load washer won't drain

Remove the bottom panel under the door to access the drain pump. Make sure the washer is unplugged before servicing the pump. The pump will be located under the wash tub in the front of the washer. There should be a small access cover that can be unscrewed to access the inside of the pump. If not, remove the inlet hose to access the pump impeller. HINT: Pull the drain hose from the standpipe and use a shop vac to pull a vacuum on the drain line. This will pull any remaining water out of the drain lines and wash tub. This will minimize the amount of water that spills out of the drain pump when you remove the access cover.

It does not take much to damage this small drain pumps. If you clean the pump thoroughly and it still exhibits drain problems, the manufacturer recommends replacing the pump.

If you require additional assistance, let me know before you rate the solution. I hope this helps you.

I've had this problem and called a reliable repair service (Not Sears) If you tilt the washer backwards there are 3 screws that need to be undone. You will find a trap there that you need to twist. This is the drain catch/filter. There was hair, golf tees, pencils, money and paper clips in a big blob of a mess. It cost me $120 but now I know what to do if the F21 code ever pops up again.

Cleaning out the drain catch solved our F-21 problem. I would recommend tipping the washer back against the wall to about 45 degrees. I placed a car jack stand under the front leg bolt to hold it. Be careful, it's very heavy. Make sure you unplug the washer and turn off the water supply. Unscrew the 3 bolts facing forward on the lower panel and off it comes. After you remove the front there is a large white knob that you cannot miss. It only turns counter-clockwise as there is a stop to prevent you from over-tightening it. Beware, once you open the stop, water will probably start flowing out. I had a bucket ready. Pulling out the knob brings the attached catch with it. Ours was full of socks and other items like marbles and coins. Reinsert the drain catch with the small nub facing up (holes in the catch facing down). It will only go in one way since there is a small slot the nub fits into. Tighten until the tab hits the catch on the receiver and you are done. Fire that bad boy back up and it should work like a charm (assuming a clogged catch was your problem).

I will go with what Murraymom said. Worked like a charm, took about 15 minutes. Be sure to have plenty of towels around as when you unscrew the trap, all of the water in the tub comes gushing out. Found about a dollar 50 in there!

The shopvac idea someone had was GENIUS. I've had to do this several times, and every time it's a water mess (just punishment, I think, for not checking pockets). Well, having a load of sheets in the machine at the time of it's most recent failure, I simply cleared a small area away from the front of the tub (leaving sheets and all in), then stuck my shopvac against the perforated floor and let it ****. Next, I removed the front lower panel (it's so routine now that I only leave the center screw in and slightly loose for a "pressure fit" and quick removal of the panel), started the shopvac, loosened the clean-out and as water began to trickle just laid the vacuum hose against it and let it run. Came back 10 minutes later to check and sure enough, was able to remove the whole clean-out without any water mess! Literally a couple of drops of water on the floor was all I had to "clean up."

Oh yeah, and the culprit this time: panty hose. Time to use panty hose bags I guess. Happy laundering!!!

Like nvrbuysears ays we opened the bottom panel and cleaned out the plastic drain cover-unearthed lint, muck, hairpins, one phone stylus which we had lost 2 years ago and lots of pennies & dimes. After we cleaned the junk out we ran a clean washer cycle with bleach & we got back our washer. Moral: Check clothese before wash do monthly clean washer cycles and maybe, do the 'bottom panel off' 'clean ' process once every 3 months or so!!

I just followed nvrbuysears answer on the drain catch. I unscrewed the bolts to take the lower panel off and unscrewed the drain catch. Not only was it full of lint, but those plastic "tabs" that are in the corners of collars on dress shirts. I cleaned the lint trap and it seems to be working now. Thank you!

I called a service tech for this problem. My daughter said he took off the bottom panel, undid a few screws and pulled out a drain filter and cleaned it out. It was filled with hair, paper clips, bobbi pins and golf tees! Don't see mention of this drain catch in the manuel for this washer.

Very helpful thank you! We bought this washer at a yard sale. Lady said worked fine. Got it home wouldnt spin on rinse cycle. Husband had an idea how to fix it but verified on this site and worked like a charm

It's probably just a stopped up pump filter or "coin trap" you can clean it out yourself by following the instructions here:
Front Load Washer Wont Drain

Fantastic answers here. The clogged pump was the reason for the hated F-21 !

Took longer to remove the screws to the cover plate than to fix the issue. Cost $0. Don't rely on Sears service -- do it yourself!