Candy E20 washing machine: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

What E20 actually means

The machine can't get a reliable reading of how much water is inside it, so it halts rather than risk filling or draining blind.

Candy machines measure water level with an APS pressure sensor, which reports the level to the main control board as a frequency signal. With E20 the board is still receiving a signal but it's outside the range it expects, so the reading is unusable and the cycle stops. It's a different fault from a completely absent signal, which Candy logs separately as E21.

What E20 looks like on a Candy washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Candy washing machine, E20 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water
Standing water in the bottom
Not filling with water
No water going in
Takes for ever to fill
Stops right at the start of the cycle

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

A failed APS pressure sensor sending an out-of-range signal
A blocked or trapped pressure chamber hose feeding the sensor, distorting the reading
Damaged or loose wiring between the sensor and the control board
A fault on the main "Cuore" power board

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.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch it back on \u2014 a one-off signal glitch will sometimes clear
Check the drain hose isn't kinked or pushed too far into the standpipe, and clean the pump filter, so the drum is genuinely empty when the machine expects it to be
Run a short cycle with no load and watch whether the fault returns at the same point

Common questions about Candy E20

What does E20 mean on a Candy washing machine?

The machine can't get a reliable reading of how much water is inside it, so it halts rather than risk filling or draining blind. Candy machines measure water level with an APS pressure sensor, which reports the level to the main control board as a frequency signal. With E20 the board is still receiving a signal but it's outside the range it expects, so the reading is unusable and the cycle stops. It's a different fault from a completely absent signal, which Candy logs separately as E21.

Can I fix Candy E20 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch it back on \u2014 a one-off signal glitch will sometimes clear.
Check the drain hose isn't kinked or pushed too far into the standpipe, and clean the pump filter, so the drum is genuinely empty when the machine expects it to be.
Run a short cycle with no load and watch whether the fault returns at the same point.

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.

How much does it cost to repair Candy 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 one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. 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 washing machine 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 Candy washing machine codes

All Candy fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Candy E20 error — washing machine