Frigidaire washer — Error Code E20

What it means

The E20 error code on a Frigidaire front-load or top-load washer indicates a critical draining issue. Specifically, the main control board monitors the water level inside the drum via the pressure sensor (also known as the pressure switch). When the drain cycle initiates, the board energizes the drain pump. If the pressure switch fails to register a sufficient drop in water level within a predetermined time limit—typically 10 to 15 minutes—the control board halts the cycle, locks the door, and flags the E20 code. This is a fail-safe measure designed to prevent catastrophic flooding and protect the drain pump motor from burning out due to a locked-rotor condition. The underlying fault is almost always located within the drain circuit. This circuit encompasses the drain pump assembly, the coin trap or clean-out filter, the external drain hose, the pressure switch air tube, and the wiring harness connecting these components to the main control board. Diagnosing E20 requires verifying both the mechanical flow of water and the electrical integrity of the pump.

Likely Causes

1. 1
   Clogged Drain Pump or Coin Trap

   Debris, coins, or lint build-up inside the pump housing or coin trap physically blocks the pump impeller from turning and expelling water.
2. 2
   Kinked or Blocked Drain Hose

   A restriction in the corrugated drain hose or a blockage at the home's standpipe prevents water from flowing out at the required rate.
3. 3
   Faulty Drain Pump Motor

   The pump motor windings may have failed electrically, or the internal bearings have seized, preventing the pump from operating even when receiving 120V AC.
4. 4
   Clogged Pressure Switch Hose

   Lint or detergent residue can clog the air dome or the tube leading to the pressure switch, causing the board to falsely read a full tub even if it drained.
5. 5
   Main Control Board Failure

   A burned relay or damaged trace on the main control board fails to send the necessary voltage to the drain pump during the drain cycle.

How to clear / reset

To temporarily clear the E20 code, press the Cancel/Pause button twice to stop the current cycle. Next, unplug the washer from the wall outlet or flip the dedicated circuit breaker for 5 minutes. This performs a hard reset on the main control board, clearing volatile memory. Restore power and select a 'Drain & Spin' cycle to test the appliance. If the tub is still full of water or the physical blockage remains in the pump housing, the E20 code will trigger again as soon as the board detects the slow drain condition. You must manually drain the tub and clear the restriction to permanently resolve the error.

Common replacement parts

FAQs