Electrolux Dishwasher i20 — What It Means & How to Fix It
Also shown as E20 on some models.
The tub kept water when the cycle expected it empty — Electrolux's official checklist starts with the trap and filters, then the drain hose, its height off the floor, and the disposal connection.
What this code means
i20 is Electrolux's drain error: the dishwasher didn't drain completely. The company's US guide lists the causes in order — a knockout plug still in the disposal, a blocked, pinched, or restricted drain hose, a hose that sits too low (they call for a minimum of 32 inches off the floor), and food soil in the filters and sump.
Electrolux's i-family reads as lowercase i plus digits; the same drain fault can appear as i23 on some markets' panels. The underlying plumbing logic transfers across the EIDW/EI-series dishwashers either way.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Glass trap and filter loaded with food soil | Very common | Yes — remove and rinse |
| Knockout plug in the garbage disposal never removed | Common | Yes — punch it out |
| Drain hose pinched, kinked, or blocked under the sink | Common | Partly — visible sections |
| Failed drain pump | Less common | No — technician job |
What you can try yourself
- Remove the bottom rack, lift out the filter and glass trap from the tub floor, and rinse them clean — then check the opening beneath with a flashlight for any debris.
- Under the sink, straighten kinks in the drain hose and inspect the junction where it meets the drain tee or disposal.
- If the unit was recently installed with a garbage disposal, confirm the dishwasher inlet's knockout plug was punched out — a classic brand-new i20.
- Verify the hose holds its height — Electrolux calls for a minimum of 32 inches off the floor before it drops to its connection.
- Reset by holding cancel, tripping the breaker, or unplugging for three minutes, then run a short cycle and watch the tub empty.
When to call a technician
- Standing water persists with the trap, hose, and disposal path all verified clear — the drain pump is next.
- The pump hums or grinds without pushing water.
- Water backs up into the sink as the dishwasher drains — that's the household drain, not the dishwasher.
Typical professional repair cost: A clean-out visit typically runs $90–$200; a drain-pump replacement is more like $150–$300.
Frequently asked questions
Does i20 always mean something is broken?
No. On Electrolux's filter-style tubs it's often just the glass trap full of food soil. Cleaning it and the sump clears most i20s before any part is involved.
I got i20 right after installing a new disposal — what gives?
A common one. The disposal's dishwasher inlet has a knockout plug that must be punched out during install. If it stays in, the wash water has nowhere to go and i20 fires. Unplug the disposal, punch the plug, and run a test cycle.
Why does it show i20 when the tub eventually does drain?
The code fires when a drain takes too long, not when it's impossible. A slow trickle through a partly clogged path still leaves water behind — the fix is the same trap, hose, and height checks.
Sources checked
Error meanings can vary by model. This guide was checked against the documentation above; use the manual for the model number on your own appliance when it differs.
Related Electrolux codes
- Electrolux Dishwasher i40 i40 is Electrolux telling you food soils have built up in the sump — the company's fix is to clean the glass trap and filter and rerun the unit.
- Electrolux Dishwasher PF PF is simply the machine telling you it lost power — a blip, an outage, or a tripped breaker. Electrolux's own guide says press START/CANCEL to clear it, and it's ready to go again.
- Electrolux Washer E11 E11 appears when the wash phase tries to fill but can't reach the right water level in time — water is arriving, just too slowly, or not at all.
- Electrolux Washer E13 E13 is the washer's leak alarm — it senses water where it shouldn't be, usually in or under the tub area, and stops the cycle to protect the electronics.
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