Error code E20 on an Electrolux washing machine

error E20 in Electrolux machineOne of the common errors that occurs when using an Electrolux washing machine is error E20. It is connected to the waste water drainage system. Let's figure out why this error may occur and how to eliminate all possible malfunctions.

Reasons for the error?

Error E20, which appears on the display of modern washing machines from Electrolux, is also accompanied by a characteristic sound signal that sounds twice. This error notifies the user that there is a malfunction in the drain system. That is, the machine either does not drain the water at all and does not spin the laundry, or the water is drained, but the program “freezes”, since the electronic module does not receive a signal about an empty tank.

For your information! In some washing machine models, a similar error is indicated by code E21 or C2.

Malfunctions of the drain system may be the following:

  • clogged drain hose or pipe;
  • clogged or broken drain pump;
  • malfunction of the level sensor or its wires;
  • failure of the electronic module (in very rare cases).

Debugg

To eliminate error E20, you first need to turn off the power to the machine. Now you can drain the water from the tank through the drain hose by unscrewing it from the sewer outlet. Please note that if the water flows out easily, then either the sewer is clogged and you will have to clean the siphon, or there is a blockage in the pump. After draining the water from the machine, remove the laundry from the drum, and then search and troubleshoot problems.

After checking the drain and making sure there is no blockage, proceed to check the drain pump and filter.Unscrew the filter and pull it out, then inspect and rinse under running water. As for the pump, you can only get to it in Electrolux machines through the back wall. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Unscrew the screws on the back cover that hold it in place;
  2. remove the unscrewed cover;
  3. disconnect the electrical wires from the pump going to the pressure switch;
  4. unscrew the bolt from the bottom of the washing machine that holds the pump;
    drain pump in washing machine
  5. release the clamps on the drain hose and pipe;
  6. we take out the pump.

drain pump in washing machineAfter disconnecting the pump, separate the pipe from the tank. Inspect it and rinse it with water, and also clean the drain hose using a cleaning cable. Next you can work on the pump.

To clean the pump, you need to unscrew the cap on it and check the impeller. There may be hair or wool threads on it. In general, we clean it of debris and wipe it carefully. You also need to check the pump with a multimeter. To do this, we apply the probes of the device to the pump and see what the winding resistance is, it should be 200 Ohms. Otherwise, you need to replace the drain pump with a new one.

When disassembling the machine for the first time, take photographs that will help you assemble the machine correctly, without confusing anything.

If the cause of error E20 was related to the pump, then after reinstalling it, run the machine in test mode and see how the machine works. If the pump turns out to be serviceable, then proceed to checking the performance of the pressure switch and wiring connecting the water level sensor with the pump and with the electronic board. Most often, the problem arises with the wiring contacts, and not with the pressure switch itself. After all, if it malfunctions, codes E11, E32 usually appear on the display.

If inspection of the pressure switch and wiring does not produce results, and error E20 still occurs, then all that remains is to check electronic module. This is quite a painstaking and serious work, which even masters take on with reluctance. As a rule, boards are not repaired, but replaced with new ones, which can be quite expensive. However, we won’t scare you; when such an error occurs, it happens extremely, extremely rarely.

To summarize, we note that in order to identify the causes of error E20 in an Electrolux washing machine, take your time. Start your inspection step by step from the simplest to the most complex. You shouldn’t disassemble the machine if you know that you haven’t cleaned the drain filter for two years, look at it first, maybe that’s the reason. In addition, if you regularly take care of your “home helper”, use only automatic powder, soften the water for washing and wash things in a laundry bag, this will help prevent clogging of the drain system. Happy renovation!

   

9 reader comments

  1. Gravatar Yuri Yuri:

    Thank you very much!
    Error E20 was displayed.
    When checking the pump, I found a match blocking the impeller.
    After cleaning everything works great

  2. Gravatar Natalia Natalia:

    Thank you very much!!! We did everything as YOU described, and found a button and a penny. Now we will collect, I hope everything will be OK!

  3. Valentine's Gravatar Valentina:

    Thank you! Everything worked out! The machine started working! Hooray!!! Metal parts were found in the pump and filter. There was no need to call a technician.

  4. Gravatar Elena Elena:

    Could the electronics be malfunctioning? Afterwards everything is clean..

  5. Gravatar Nikolay Nikolai:

    The filter cover unscrews, but cannot be removed((Please tell me what to do?

    • Gravatar Alexander Alexander:

      I have a child's scarf stuck there. How did he get there? Carefully pull out the lid, it should come out.

    • Gravatar Igor Igor:

      You will have to disassemble the SMA, remove the “snail” along with the pump and unscrew the pump from it. then press the filter out from the back. Most likely a toothpick or a bra wire.

  6. Gravatar Fedya Fedya:

    It gives error e20. Then we set the water to drain mode, it drains. Next to the spin cycle, he squeezes it out. And so every time. Can the problem be identified immediately?

  7. Gravatar Anonymous Anonymous:

    The same error came up. Children's socks wrapped around the heating element sabotaged the process.

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