Frigidaire washer — Error Code E20

What it means

The E20 error on a Frigidaire top-load or front-load unit points to a drainage failure. Your main control board monitors the water level through a pressure sensor, also known as a pressure switch. When the drain cycle starts, the control board powers the drain pump. If the pressure switch does not detect a drop in water level within the programmed window—usually 10 to 15 minutes—the cycle stops, the door locks, and the E20 code appears. This safety feature prevents your laundry room from flooding and protects the drain pump motor from overheating due to a locked-rotor state. The problem usually lies somewhere in the drain circuit, including the drain pump assembly, the clean-out filter or coin trap, the external drain hose, the air tube linked to the pressure switch, or the wiring harness connecting these to the main control board. Successfully troubleshooting an E20 requires checking both the physical water flow and the electrical health of the pump.

Likely Causes

1. 1
   Clogged Drain Pump or Coin Trap

   Items like pocket change, lint, or debris stuck in the pump housing or coin trap can physically jam the impeller, stopping it from pushing water out.
2. 2
   Kinked or Blocked Drain Hose

   If the corrugated drain hose is pinched or blocked at the home's standpipe, water cannot exit the machine fast enough.
3. 3
   Faulty Drain Pump Motor

   The pump motor might have internal bearing failure or damaged electrical windings, meaning it won't run even when it receives 120V AC.
4. 4
   Clogged Pressure Switch Hose

   Residue from soap or lint can build up in the air dome or the tube connected to the pressure switch, causing the board to think the tub is full even after it has finished draining.
5. 5
   Main Control Board Failure

   A damaged trace or faulty relay on the main control board may prevent it from sending the necessary electrical current to the drain pump.

How to clear / reset

To reset the E20 alert, press the Cancel/Pause button twice to kill the active cycle. Then, disconnect the power by unplugging the washer or flipping the breaker for 5 minutes. This allows the main control board to clear its memory. After restoring power, run a 'Drain & Spin' cycle to verify the fix. If the drum is still wet or a blockage persists, the E20 code will trigger again as soon as the system senses the slow drainage. You must clear the physical obstruction to solve the issue permanently.

Common replacement parts

FAQs