Siemens E20 dishwasher: 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 dishwasher has found an electrical fault in the main wash pump — the motor that pushes water round the spray arms — and has stopped rather than run it.

The control board checks the electrical resistance of the circulation pump's motor winding. On E20 that reading is wrong — either a break in the winding or a short — so the board cuts the cycle instead of energising the pump. This is not a blockage code; Siemens uses E21 when the pump is physically jammed and E23 when the same electrical problem is on the drain pump, so E20 points specifically at the circulation pump or its wiring and connections.

What E20 looks like on a Siemens dishwasher

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Siemens 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
Tub not turning
Won't spin
Hums or buzzes but nothing moves
Turns one way only

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 winding in the circulation pump motor
A damaged, corroded or loose connection at the pump
Water damage to the pump or its wiring after a leak inside the machine
A fault on the control board's pump circuit rather than the pump itself

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 dishwasher off at the wall for a minute and back on — if the reading was a one-off glitch it will clear, and if the code returns as soon as the cycle starts it is a genuine fault
Nothing else here is an owner job: cleaning filters will not shift an E20, because this code is about the pump's electrics, not a blockage

Common questions about Siemens E20

What does E20 mean on a Siemens dishwasher?

The dishwasher has found an electrical fault in the main wash pump — the motor that pushes water round the spray arms — and has stopped rather than run it. The control board checks the electrical resistance of the circulation pump's motor winding. On E20 that reading is wrong — either a break in the winding or a short — so the board cuts the cycle instead of energising the pump. This is not a blockage code; Siemens uses E21 when the pump is physically jammed and E23 when the same electrical problem is on the drain pump, so E20 points specifically at the circulation pump or its wiring and connections.

Can I fix Siemens E20 myself?

There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the dishwasher off at the wall for a minute and back on — if the reading was a one-off glitch it will clear, and if the code returns as soon as the cycle starts it is a genuine fault.
Nothing else here is an owner job: cleaning filters will not shift an E20, because this code is about the pump's electrics, not a blockage.

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

How much does it cost to repair Siemens 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 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 Siemens dishwasher codes

All Siemens 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.

Siemens E20 error — dishwasher