Hoover 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, so it stops rather than risk overfilling or running dry.

Hoover machines use an APS pressure sensor that reports the water level to the main control board as a frequency signal. On E20 the board is still getting a signal, but the values coming back don't make sense, so the wash is halted. You'll usually see it stall early on during filling, or part-way through a cycle with water still in the drum.

What E20 looks like on a Hoover washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Hoover 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 failing APS pressure sensor sending an out-of-range signal
A blocked or split pressure hose between the tub and the sensor
Suds or scale interfering with the level reading after overdosing detergent
Damaged wiring or connections between sensor and control board
A faulty main control board (the least common of the four)

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 up and try a short cycle — the odd one-off reading error clears.
If there's water in the drum, run a drain or spin-only programme to empty it before anything else.
Clean the detergent drawer and use the correct dose next time; heavy foam can upset level readings.
Check the drain hose isn't kinked or pushed too far into the standpipe.

Common questions about Hoover E20

What does E20 mean on a Hoover washing machine?

The machine can't get a reliable reading of how much water is inside, so it stops rather than risk overfilling or running dry. Hoover machines use an APS pressure sensor that reports the water level to the main control board as a frequency signal. On E20 the board is still getting a signal, but the values coming back don't make sense, so the wash is halted. You'll usually see it stall early on during filling, or part-way through a cycle with water still in the drum.

Can I fix Hoover E20 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power up and try a short cycle — the odd one-off reading error clears.
If there's water in the drum, run a drain or spin-only programme to empty it before anything else.
Clean the detergent drawer and use the correct dose next time; heavy foam can upset level readings.
Check the drain hose isn't kinked or pushed too far into the standpipe.

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

How much does it cost to repair Hoover 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 Hoover washing machine codes

All Hoover 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.

Hoover E20 error — washing machine