Frigidaire Washer Code E20 – Troubleshooting Guide

Seeing an error code on your Frigidaire washer can be pretty frustrating, but don’t worry. In this guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about the E20 error code in particular.

The E20 error code on a Frigidaire washing machine means that the washer fails to drain any water. The most likely reasons for this are clogs in the drain filter, drain hose or standpipe. Besides that, a drain pump that’s clogged or faulty can also cause the same problem to happen. Removing any clogs from the affected parts or replacing a failed drain pump can resolve the issue.

Keep reading as we dive deeper into the triggers behind the E20 error code and how you can fix them.

What The E20 Code Means On A Frigidaire Washer?

When the E20 error code appears on your Frigidaire washer, that means the appliance is not draining any water at all.

Your Frigidaire washing machine relies on an inflow and outflow of water to wash your clothes properly. So, when you select a wash program, it’ll start with the drum filling with clean water. But, after a while, that water will become saturated with diluted detergent and dirt from your clothes, both of which must be drained out of the machine.

A failure to drain means that the machine will stop working entirely. Because of that, you must resolve the problem as soon as possible to continue using the machine like you usually do.

Possible Causes And Solutions

A washing machine that fails to drain is most likely suffering from a clogged drain filter, clogged drain pump, or a clogged drain hose or standpipe. This section will look at each of those causes and what you can do to resolve them.

Clogged Drain Filter

What it is: When water drains out of your washer, it travels through a drain filter on its way out. The drain filter is designed to catch more significant bits of dust and dirt to prevent a clog further down the line, such as in the drain hose or standpipe.

Besides that, the drain filter will also catch any foreign objects that fall out of laundry pockets, such as coins, pens, paperclips and anything else.

How it fails: After being in use for an extended period and through many wash programs, the drain filter will start to get saturated. The more items and impurities get trapped by the drain filter, the more restricted the flow of drain water.

When the drain filter is neglected for too long, no drain water can flow through it. As a result, the E20 error code will be triggered.

How to fix it: Fixing this problem is pretty straightforward. Firstly, you’ll have to locate and remove the drain filter. You’ll find the filter hidden behind a small door on the front panel of the washer. Please refer to your user manual if you’re unsure of where it is or what it looks like.

Once you’ve found the filter, prepare a few pieces of cloth on the floor in front of it. That’s necessary because water will flow out when you twist the filter to remove it.

Next, take the filter and wash it thoroughly in your kitchen sink. Be sure to remove any foreign objects you find like coins, pens, or anything else.

Finally, replace the filter by twisting it back into place.

Clogged or Faulty Drain Pump

What it is: As the name suggests, the drain pump is designed to drive used water out of the washer drum and out through the drain hose. The drain pump will turn on and do this one or more times throughout a wash program, especially at the end of the spin cycle.

The drain pump is located at the bottom of the washer sump, which is at the bottom of the washer’s drum.

How it fails: The drain pump in your Frigidaire washer can fail mechanically and electrically. Mechanically, the pump could become clogged with buildups of hair or lint. Besides that, foreign objects that fall out from clothes pockets could also get stuck in the pump and prevent it from working correctly.

Electrically, the pump could have suffered from a short circuit or damage caused by an electrical surge. That kind of damage will cause the pump to fail even when the washer sends power and signals to it.

How to fix it: Firstly, the drain pump must be inspected for any foreign objects or other clogs preventing it from working correctly. However, if the pump still fails after it’s been cleared, the pump must be replaced.

This process will begin by removing the washer’s front panel. That will allow you to access the pump and remove its hoses and electrical connectors. At this point, you might have water flowing out from those opened hoses, so be sure to prepare a tray or a few pieces of cloth to catch the water.

Lastly, unthread the bolts that secure the drain pump. Once that’s done, you can mount the new pump in its place and replace the hoses and electrical connectors the same way as before.

Clogged Drain Hose or Standpipe

What it is: The flow of drain water doesn’t end at the drain filter. Instead, it continues outside of the machine on its way to your household’s drainage system via the washer’s drain hose and the standpipe.

The drain hose is attached to the back of your washing machine and can be detached when necessary. It’s also flexible, which means that you can bend it as needed based on where your washer is positioned.

At the other end of the drain hose is the standpipe, part of your household’s drainage system.

How it fails: Even though the drain hose and standpipe are external to the washing machine, they are also prone to get clogged. That’s because the same drain water flows out of the washer carrying lint, dirt, hair, and other impurities that can build up inside.

When those buildups prevent water from flowing through, the water will become backed up back into the washer. As a result, the E20 error code will appear on the washer’s display.

How to fix it: Resolving this issue is pretty straightforward: you must clear any clogs affecting the drain hose or standpipe. Firstly, detach the drain hose from the back of your washer and take it outside.

Using a garden hose, flush the drain hose from both ends to remove any buildups caught inside.

Then, check your laundry room standpipe for any clogs that you can clear by yourself. Severe clogs in your household drainage system will require the attention of a qualified plumber.

How To Clear The E20 Code On Your Frigidaire Washer?

You can clear the E20 error code on your Frigidaire washer by resolving its root cause. To do so, follow the troubleshooting steps described above. 

Once the root cause is resolved, the error code will no longer appear.

Another way to clear the E20 error code is to reset your washer using the steps below.

How To Reset A Frigidaire Washer?

Frigidaire washing machines can be reset by cycling their power. You can do so by following these steps:

• Firstly, disconnect the washer from its power source. You can do so by removing its plug from the wall socket or switching off its dedicated circuit breaker.
• Second, leave the washer alone for 30 seconds. During this time, any retained electrical charge will dissipate naturally and clear the washer’s memory.
• At this point, the washer is reset. Then, you can reconnect its power source and continue using the washing machine as you usually do.

How To Test Your Frigidaire Washer After Fixing It?

After fixing your Frigidaire washer, it’s an excellent idea to test it for any remaining errors. One way to do that is to run a complete wash program from start to finish. Doing so will allow you to ensure that all of the washer’s functions are working correctly.

Another approach you can take is to enter the washer’s diagnostic mode.

How To Enter Diagnostic Mode And Read Error Codes On Your Frigidaire Washer?

You can enable the washer’s diagnostic mode by pressing three buttons simultaneously: Power, Extra Rinse, and Soak. When done correctly, the display will start blinking, which means the washer is in diagnostic mode.

There are several tests that you can run based on what button you push, such as:

• The wash test. Press the Soil Level button.
• The spin test. Press the Temp button.
• The water valve test. Press the Fabric Softener button.
• The auto-sensing test. Press the Delay button.
• Finally, press the Power button to end the current test if you want to start another one.