ElectriQ E21 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 E21 actually means

The machine has tried to empty the drum and the water level hasn't dropped, so it's stopped with a drum full of water.

During the drain part of the cycle the control board watches the water level sensor. If the level hasn't changed after about three minutes of pumping, it shuts the pump off and shows E21. It's a drainage fault, not a leak or an electrical fault in itself.

What E21 looks like on a ElectriQ washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a ElectriQ washing machine, E21 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

Blocked pump filter — coins, buttons, hair grips and fluff
A sock or similar item pulled into the drain pump itself
Drain hose kinked or squashed behind the machine
Blocked or badly fitted standpipe/sink trap connection
Failed drain pump, or a break in its wiring back to the control 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 and leave it a minute, then try a drain or spin programme on its own.
Empty and clean the pump filter at the bottom front of the machine (have a shallow tray and towels ready — the drum is still full, so water will come out).
Pull the machine forward gently and check the drain hose isn't kinked, trapped or crushed against the wall.
Check the end of the drain hose where it enters the standpipe or sink trap for a blockage or standing water.
Rinse the filter under the tap and refit it firmly so it seals.

Which ElectriQ models show E21

E21 means the same thing on all 4 of these models. If yours is not listed, the explanation above still applies — the code is set by the control board, not the model number.

EIQWM12KG · EIQWMTL6 · EIQWMTL75C · EIQWMTL8A

Common questions about ElectriQ E21

What does E21 mean on a ElectriQ washing machine?

The machine has tried to empty the drum and the water level hasn't dropped, so it's stopped with a drum full of water. During the drain part of the cycle the control board watches the water level sensor. If the level hasn't changed after about three minutes of pumping, it shuts the pump off and shows E21. It's a drainage fault, not a leak or an electrical fault in itself.

Can I fix ElectriQ E21 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall and leave it a minute, then try a drain or spin programme on its own.
Empty and clean the pump filter at the bottom front of the machine (have a shallow tray and towels ready — the drum is still full, so water will come out).
Pull the machine forward gently and check the drain hose isn't kinked, trapped or crushed against the wall.
Check the end of the drain hose where it enters the standpipe or sink trap for a blockage or standing water.
Rinse the filter under the tap and refit it firmly so it seals.

This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.

How much does it cost to repair ElectriQ E21?

£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 E21?

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 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 ElectriQ washing machine codes

All ElectriQ 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.

ElectriQ E21 error — washing machine