What E20 actually means
The dishwasher can't get the water out of the tub, so it has stopped and flagged a drain fault.
E20 comes up when the machine expects the water level to drop during the drain part of the cycle and it doesn't. You'll usually open the door to a puddle of dirty water sitting in the bottom, and often a wash that has stopped part-way through. Something is either blocking the drain pump or the pump has failed.
What E20 looks like on a Zanussi dishwasher
Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Zanussi dishwasher, E20 usually shows up as one or more of these:
- Dishwasher door won't open
- Door won't lock or click shut
- Door lock light flashing
- Door stuck shut with the load inside
- Won't start even with the door closed
- Dishwasher not draining
- Water left in the tub at the end of the cycle
- Stops mid-cycle full of water
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 in the filter and sump, often because the filter wasn't seated properly
- A fragment of broken glass or china jamming the drain pump impeller
- Blocked or kinked drain hose, or a blocked sink spigot where it connects
- Failed drain pump motor
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.
- Take out the filter, rinse it under the tap and clear anything caught underneath it — then make sure it's locked back in properly, not sitting loose
- Scoop or sponge out the standing water so you can see the bottom of the tub clearly
- Check the drain hose isn't kinked, trapped behind the machine or pushed too far into the standpipe
- If the hose runs into a sink waste, check that waste isn't blocked — run the tap and see it drains freely
- Switch off at the wall for a minute, then power up and run a short cycle to see if the fault clears
Common questions about Zanussi E20
What does E20 mean on a Zanussi dishwasher?
The dishwasher can't get the water out of the tub, so it has stopped and flagged a drain fault. E20 comes up when the machine expects the water level to drop during the drain part of the cycle and it doesn't. You'll usually open the door to a puddle of dirty water sitting in the bottom, and often a wash that has stopped part-way through. Something is either blocking the drain pump or the pump has failed.
Can I fix Zanussi E20 myself?
There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Take out the filter, rinse it under the tap and clear anything caught underneath it — then make sure it's locked back in properly, not sitting loose.
- Scoop or sponge out the standing water so you can see the bottom of the tub clearly.
- Check the drain hose isn't kinked, trapped behind the machine or pushed too far into the standpipe.
- If the hose runs into a sink waste, check that waste isn't blocked — run the tap and see it drains freely.
- Switch off at the wall for a minute, then power up and run a short cycle to see if the fault clears.
This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.
How much does it cost to repair Zanussi 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 Zanussi dishwasher codes
All Zanussi fault codes and repairs →