Black+Decker Washer E4 — What It Means & How to Fix It
Your Black+Decker washer can't drain — E4 points to a drainage problem (or the water-level sensor), usually a kinked or badly placed drain hose or a clogged filter.
What this code means
E4 on a Black+Decker washer means draining didn't complete, or the water level didn't fall as expected. The drain hose and pump filter are the first checks, and on these portables the hose position over a sink or standpipe matters as much as the hardware.
Models with a lower access flap have a cleanable pump filter; otherwise the hose and standpipe are the main checks. Water left in the tub with E4 is normal — it just means the pump couldn't move it.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Kinked or crushed drain hose | Very common | Yes — no tools |
| Drain hose hung too high or slipped out of place | Common | Yes — reposition |
| Clogged pump filter or trapped object | Common | Yes — towel, 15 min |
| Blocked sink or standpipe | Occasional | Partly — check the drain |
| Failed drain pump | Less common | No — technician job |
What you can try yourself
- Switch off and check the drain hose for kinks or crushing along its length.
- Make sure the hose sits at the right height and hasn't slipped down a standpipe or out of the sink.
- If your model has a lower access flap, lay a towel down and clean the pump filter, removing any trapped item.
- Run the sink to confirm the drain itself isn't blocked.
- Clear E4 (Start/Pause or a brief unplug) and run a Spin/Drain to retest.
When to call a technician
- The hose and filter are clear but water won't pump out.
- The pump runs but no water moves.
- The sink or standpipe backs up when the washer drains.
Typical professional repair cost: Drain pump replacement on a Black+Decker washer typically runs $100—$200 including labor.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Black+Decker washer full of water with E4?
The pump couldn't clear the water, so it's left in the tub. Check the drain hose for kinks and the right height, clean the filter if there is one, then run a drain/spin to empty it.
Where is the drain filter on a Black+Decker washer?
On models that have one, it's behind a small flap at the lower front — lay a towel down before opening it, as water will come out. Many compact units don't have one, in which case focus on the hose.
Could a small object cause E4?
Yes — coins, buttons, and hairpins that slip past the tub can lodge in the pump or filter and block the drain. Cleaning the filter clears most of them on models that have one.
Related Black+Decker codes
- Black+Decker Washer E1 Your Black+Decker washer didn't fill in time — E1 appears after about 30 minutes of filling without reaching the set level, nearly always a supply problem.
- Black+Decker Washer E3 Your Black+Decker washer flags E3 when the lid isn't sensed as closed and locked, or the spin went out of balance several times — close the lid firmly and redistribute the wet load.
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