Speed Queen Washing Machine Error dr – Causes & Fix
Speed Queen Er dr: the control still sensed water after draining. Hose, pump inlet, pump power or drain height
Safety first · Consult a professional
Remove power before opening any panel or hose – the washer won't clear dr until you do anyway. Water in the tub can be hot, and draining a full front-loader by hand puts several gallons on the floor unless you're prepared with pans and towels.
- Unplug the appliance or switch off the breaker before opening any panel. Mains voltage can kill.
- Water and electricity: unplug first, keep towels ready and never stand in water while the appliance is connected.
- Hot surfaces and hot water can cause burns. Let the appliance cool down first.
At a glance
Severity: Moderate
- Meaning
- Drain Error – Water Still in the Tub
- Typical repair cost
- $0–$750
- DIY difficulty
- Easy
Speed Queen shows Er alternating with dr when a drain step fails. Alliance Laundry's list for home and light-commercial electronic controls defines it slightly differently by machine type: on front-loaders the water height was still above the empty level after the control had tried to drain for 2 minutes; on top-loaders the control sensed water in the tub at the end of the cycle. Either way the washer turns off its outputs, sounds the error tone and stays in error until power is removed. The service list points at a restriction between tub and pump, an item stuck in the drain hose or pump, a drain hose that breaks the height limits, and – less often – no power reaching the pump or a failed pump.
How it looks on the display
Model families & display variants
| Model family | Shows | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Speed Queen front-load washers (e.g. FF7) | Er / dr | Water above the empty level after 2 minutes of draining. |
| Speed Queen top-load washers with electronic controls (e.g. TC5) | Er / dr | Water sensed in the tub at the end of the cycle. |
| Machines with the slow-drain check enabled | Er / Sd | Slow drain – not a stopped drain; a warning that can be switched on in the control setup, mostly on light-commercial installs. |
| Notation used in videos and parts listings | E dr / DR | Same drain error written differently. |
Symptoms
- Er and dr alternate on the display with an error tone for several seconds
- Tub still holds water after the cycle stopped
- Pump runs with a rattle or a hum but little water leaves
- Front-load door stays locked because water is above the empty level
- Drain works on some cycles and fails on large or hot loads
Possible causes
Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).
- Sock, small garment or debris in the tub-to-pump hose or the pump inlet
- Drain hose kinked, clogged, or installed outside the height limits in the instructions
- Standpipe or laundry drain slow or blocked
- Drain pump worn or its impeller jammed
- No power reaching the pump – loose connector or wiring fault
- Pressure-sensor hose clogged so the control misreads the level
- Output or drive board not switching the pump
Fix it step by step
Power down and let it cool
Turn the washer off and unplug it. Speed Queen's list says the drain error is cleared by removing power, and you need the power off before touching hoses. Give hot water time to cool.
Tools: Gloves
Check the drain hose and height
Pull the washer out and look for kinks or a hose crushed against the wall. Compare the standpipe or sink height with the limits in your installation instructions – too high and the pump can't lift the water, too deep in the pipe and it can siphon or airlock.
Tools: Flashlight
Test the drain line
Put the hose end in a bucket and pour a few gallons down the standpipe. A slow or backing-up drain is a plumbing problem, not a Speed Queen fault.
Tools: Towels & shallow pan
Empty the tub safely
On a top-loader, bail the water out with a small container. On a front-loader, drain through the lowest accessible point shown in your manual – some models have a service access at the lower front – working in stages with a shallow pan.
Tools: Towels & shallow pan, Gloves
Clear the tub-to-pump hose and pump inlet
With the tub empty and the washer unplugged, open the lower access panel described in your manual, loosen the clamp on the hose from the tub to the pump and check both ends for socks, lint or small items. Turn the pump impeller by hand if you can reach it.
Tools: Screwdriver, Pliers, Flashlight
Confirm the pump gets power
Speed Queen's corrective action includes checking wiring to the pump and that power is present there. Reseat the pump connector; live-voltage measurement during a drain call should be done by a technician.
Tools: Multimeter
How to reset dr
- Turn the washer off and unplug it – dr clears only when power is removed.
- Fix the restriction and plug back in.
- Run a Drain & Spin or a short rinse and watch for a strong, steady discharge.
- If Er dr returns straight away, the pump, its wiring or the level hose needs service.
Where the parts are
- 1Door lock
- 2Water inlet valve
- 3Water level sensor
- 4Filter
- 5Drain pump
- 6Motor
- 7Heating element
- 8Temperature sensor
Repair options & costs
| Repair | DIY? | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Straighten hose, clear item from pump hose | Yes | $0–$15 |
| Plumber clears standpipe or drain line | No | $150–$350 |
| Replacement drain pump, DIY | Yes | $60–$150 |
| Drain pump replaced by a technician | No | $220–$420 |
| Output or drive board replaced by a technician | No | $400–$750 |
Rough US estimates; technician call-out fees vary by region. Not a quote.
When to call a technician
Book a Speed Queen dealer or technician if the hose and drain are clear, nothing is lodged in the pump path, and Er dr still returns – or if the pump is silent during drain. Check warranty coverage first; Speed Queen's home warranty usually includes labor.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't the drain error clear when I press Power/Cancel?
Speed Queen treats a failed drain as a machine error. Alliance's list says it clears only when power is removed, so unplug the washer or switch off its breaker.
How long does a Speed Queen front-loader try to drain before showing dr?
About 2 minutes. If the level is still above empty after that, the control stops, turns off all outputs and sounds the error tone.
Can a sock really block a Speed Queen?
Yes. Small items can slip from the drum or basket into the outer tub and get pulled into the hose leading to the pump. That's the most common single find when the drain path is opened.
What's the difference between Er dr and Er Sd?
dr means the drain failed. Sd is a slow-drain warning that only appears if that check has been enabled in the control setup; it doesn't stop the washer the same way.
Sources
- Official Speed Queen user documentation and support pages (facts only; wording is our own)
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