What E20 actually means
The dishwasher hasn't managed to pump the dirty water out, so it has stopped and flagged a drainage fault.
The machine expects the tub to be empty by a certain point in the cycle. When the water is still sitting in the bottom, it halts and shows E20 rather than carrying on and washing in dirty water. On Cookology's countertop machines this points at the drain pump or something blocking the route to it — the same fault also shows up as I20 or I28 depending on the model.
What E20 looks like on a Cookology dishwasher
Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Cookology dishwasher, E20 usually shows up as one or more of these:
- Dishwasher not draining
- Water left in the tub 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
- Food debris blocking the sump because the filter wasn't seated properly
- A fragment of broken glass or china jamming the pump impeller
- A blocked or kinked drain hose, or the hose end pushed too far into the waste pipe
- A failed drain pump motor
- Standing water left from a previous interrupted cycle
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.
- Switch off at the socket, then bail or sponge the standing water out of the tub
- Lift out the filter, rinse it under the tap and refit it so it sits down properly and locks in place
- Check the drain hose isn't kinked, crushed behind the machine or looped in a way that traps water
- On a countertop model, make sure the hose end sits in the sink or waste and isn't submerged in a full sink
- Leave it off at the wall for a minute, then run a short cycle to see if the code returns
Common questions about Cookology E20
What does E20 mean on a Cookology dishwasher?
The dishwasher hasn't managed to pump the dirty water out, so it has stopped and flagged a drainage fault. The machine expects the tub to be empty by a certain point in the cycle. When the water is still sitting in the bottom, it halts and shows E20 rather than carrying on and washing in dirty water. On Cookology's countertop machines this points at the drain pump or something blocking the route to it — the same fault also shows up as I20 or I28 depending on the model.
Can I fix Cookology E20 myself?
There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Switch off at the socket, then bail or sponge the standing water out of the tub.
- Lift out the filter, rinse it under the tap and refit it so it sits down properly and locks in place.
- Check the drain hose isn't kinked, crushed behind the machine or looped in a way that traps water.
- On a countertop model, make sure the hose end sits in the sink or waste and isn't submerged in a full sink.
- Leave it off at the wall for a minute, then run a short cycle to see if the code returns.
This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.
How much does it cost to repair Cookology 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 Cookology dishwasher codes
- Cookology E01 — The dishwasher hasn't taken in enough water in the time it e…
- Cookology E04 — The dishwasher thinks water has escaped into its base and ha…
All Cookology fault codes and repairs →