my washer won't drain at all, it's just full of water and humming.

Diagnosis

The humming sound you hear is the drain pump motor energizing, but the impeller is physically unable to rotate. In the GE GTW685BSLWS, this is almost always caused by a "foreign object obstruction." Small items like coins, baby socks, or hair ties bypass the tub filter and lodge themselves directly into the pump housing, jamming the plastic vanes of the impeller. Because the motor is receiving power but cannot turn the shaft, it creates an electromagnetic hum and generates heat. If left powered on in this state for too long, the pump motor can overheat and burn out entirely. You can confirm this by observing the drain hose; if the pump is humming but there is zero vibration or water movement in the corrugated hose, the blockage is internal to the pump or located immediately at the pump exit.

How to Fix It

To clear the obstruction and restore drainage, follow these precise steps. Be prepared for a significant amount of water to exit the machine once the pump is opened.

1. Power Down: Unplug the washer from the 120V outlet to prevent electrical shock and avoid accidental cycle starts.
2. Manual Drain: Since the tub is full, do not simply open the pump. Use a shallow pan or a wet/dry vacuum to remove as much water as possible from the tub to prevent a flood in your laundry room.
3. Access the Pump: Tilt the machine back slightly (secure it with a wedge) or remove the lower front toe kick panel. Locate the drain pump assembly at the bottom right or center of the chassis.
4. Clear the Hose: Squeeze the thick black corrugated hose leading from the tub to the pump. Feel for hard objects (like a coin or button). If you feel something, loosen the hose clamp using pliers, pull the hose down, and manually remove the debris.
5. Inspect the Impeller: Locate the pump housing. If your specific sub-model has a removable filter cap, unscrew it counter-clockwise. Reach your finger into the pump cavity and attempt to rotate the impeller blades. They should flick or click in quarter-turns. If they are jammed, use a pair of needle-nose pliers to extract the debris.
6. Test Run: Reassemble all clamps, plug the machine back in, and run a "Drain & Spin" cycle to verify the water exits the tub completely.

If That Didn't Work

• Check for a Kinked Standpipe: Inspect the external drain hose where it enters the wall standpipe. If the hose is pushed too far down into the pipe (more than 6-8 inches), it can create a siphon effect or a vacuum lock that prevents the pump from pushing water out, resulting in a humming sound as the pump struggles against backpressure.
• Test the Pump Motor: If there is no debris but the pump still only hums, the motor windings may have failed. Use a multimeter to check the pump for continuity. If the circuit is open or the resistance is infinite, the pump assembly (Part #WH01X series) must be replaced entirely.
• Inspect the Lid Switch: While the humming suggests the pump is getting power, a faulty lid switch can sometimes cause intermittent drainage issues. Ensure the lid is closing fully and the switch is clicking; if the machine thinks the lid is open, it may cut power to the motor mid-cycle.
• Check for Tub-to-Pump Blockage: Remove the large bellows hose connecting the outer tub to the pump. Sometimes a small garment (like a sock) gets sucked into the hose itself, creating a "plug" that allows the pump to hum but prevents any water from actually reaching the impeller.

Heads Up

• Avoid Overloading: Overloading the GTW685BSLWS can cause clothes to shift violently, potentially forcing small items through the gaps in the agitator or tub, leading to pump clogs.
• Pocket Check: Always empty pockets of coins, screws, and hairpins. These are the primary killers of top-load drain pumps.
• Leveling: Ensure your machine is perfectly level. An unbalanced tub can put undue stress on the drain hose connections, leading to leaks or premature wear of the pump housing.
• Water Temperature: If you frequently wash with very high temperatures and heavy detergents, lint can build up into a "sludge" in the pump. Run a monthly cleaning cycle with a dedicated washer cleaner to keep the lines clear.