What E20 actually means
The machine has tried to drain and the water level hasn't moved, so it has shut the water valve and stopped with the drum still full.
On these ElectriQ machines E20 covers the drain side: the control board either sees no electrical response from the drain pump at all (an open circuit) or it runs the pump and the water level in the tub doesn't fall within about three minutes. Either way it aborts the cycle rather than carry on and spin a full drum, so you're usually left with standing water and clothes that won't spin.
What usually causes it
- Coins, a sock or hair caught in the drain pump filter or pump impeller
- Blocked, kinked or trapped drain hose behind the machine
- Blocked standpipe or sink trap the hose drains into
- Failed drain pump, or a broken connection to it
- Main control board fault (uncommon)
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 power it back up and try a drain or spin programme on its own.
- Empty the pump filter at the front bottom of the machine (put a towel and a shallow tray down first — expect water) and check for coins, buttons or fluff. Rinse it and screw it back in firmly.
- Pull the machine out and check the drain hose isn't kinked, crushed against the wall or pushed too far into the standpipe.
- Check the sink or standpipe the hose empties into isn't blocked — run the tap and see if it drains freely.
- If the drum is full, you can bail some water out through the filter opening in stages to make things easier before an engineer attends.
When to call someone
This sometimes clears with the checks above. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, and it's £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it — £84 in total if it's repaired on the visit with no parts needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
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 ElectriQ washing machine codes
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- ElectriQ E02 — The machine isn't getting water in, so it has stopped and sh…
- ElectriQ E10 — The machine has opened its water valves but not enough water…
- ElectriQ E12 — The machine has decided there is too much water in the drum,…
- ElectriQ E21 — The machine has tried to empty the drum and the water level …
- ElectriQ E30 — The machine cannot lock its door, so it refuses to start fil…
- ElectriQ E31 — The machine has tried to release the door lock and failed, s…
- ElectriQ E33 — The machine has lost the signal from the sensor that tells i…