What E20 actually means
The dishwasher can't get the water out of the tub, so it has stopped and is waiting for the drain problem to be sorted.
During the drain part of the cycle the machine expects the water level to drop within a set time. When it doesn't, it halts and shows E20 — you'll typically open the door to find standing water in the bottom. It's a drainage fault rather than a fill or heating fault, so the machine won't move on until the water can actually leave.
What E20 looks like on a AEG dishwasher
Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a AEG dishwasher, E20 usually shows up as one or more of these:
- Dishwasher door won't open
- Door won't lock or click shut
- Door lock light flashing
- Door stuck shut with the load inside
- Won't start even with the door closed
- Dishwasher not draining
- Water left in the tub at the end of the cycle
- Stops mid-cycle full of water
Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.
What usually causes it
- Filter clogged or not seated properly, so food debris has gone through to the pump
- A fragment of broken glass or china jamming the drain pump impeller
- Blocked or kinked drain hose, or a blocked sink waste spigot where the hose connects
- Drain pump motor itself has failed
What you can safely check yourself
Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.
- Scoop out the standing water, then lift out the filter assembly, rinse it under the tap and make sure it's clicked back in correctly — a filter that isn't seated lets debris straight through to the pump
- Check the drain hose isn't kinked, crushed against a unit or trapped behind the machine
- If the hose runs into the sink waste, check that connection and the trap aren't blocked with grease or debris
- Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then restart and run a short cycle to see if it drains
Common questions about AEG E20
What does E20 mean on a AEG dishwasher?
The dishwasher can't get the water out of the tub, so it has stopped and is waiting for the drain problem to be sorted. During the drain part of the cycle the machine expects the water level to drop within a set time. When it doesn't, it halts and shows E20 — you'll typically open the door to find standing water in the bottom. It's a drainage fault rather than a fill or heating fault, so the machine won't move on until the water can actually leave.
Can I fix AEG E20 myself?
There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Scoop out the standing water, then lift out the filter assembly, rinse it under the tap and make sure it's clicked back in correctly — a filter that isn't seated lets debris straight through to the pump.
- Check the drain hose isn't kinked, crushed against a unit or trapped behind the machine.
- If the hose runs into the sink waste, check that connection and the trap aren't blocked with grease or debris.
- Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then restart and run a short cycle to see if it drains.
This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.
How much does it cost to repair AEG E20?
£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Tried the checks and it's still showing E20?
This sometimes clears with the checks above. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly. Then it wants someone who can open it up.
What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most dishwasher faults are seen same day or next day.
Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need
Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.
Other AEG dishwasher codes
All AEG fault codes and repairs →
What this looks like when it happens
- dishwasher not draining
- dishwasher not heating the water
- dishwasher lights flashing
- dishwasher door will not close