Frigidaire Dishwasher i20 — What It Means & How to Fix It
The unit didn't drain properly — Frigidaire's filters and glass trap clog like any brand's, and the drain hose and disposal connection make up the rest of the usual story.
What this code means
i20 is the drain error in Frigidaire's i-code system: water remained when the cycle expected an empty tub. The fine filter and glass trap in the tub floor are the first stop, the drain hose's path under the sink the second, with the drain pump as the suspect of last resort.
Frigidaire's own guide pairs i20 with restricted drain paths. If your model is older with letter codes (like UO on some), the manual maps the equivalent — the plumbing logic transfers directly.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Glass trap and filter clogged with debris | Very common | Yes — remove and rinse |
| Drain hose kinked or blocked at the sink connection | Common | Partly — visible sections |
| Garbage disposal knockout plug never removed | Common after installs | Yes — hammer + screwdriver |
| Drain pump failure | Less common | No — technician job |
What you can try yourself
- Remove the bottom rack and lift out the filter assembly and glass trap from the tub floor; rinse both clean and check the opening beneath with a flashlight.
- Under the sink, straighten any kinks in the drain hose and clear the junction where it meets the disposal or drain tee.
- New disposal recently? Unplug it and confirm the dishwasher inlet's knockout plug was punched out — the timing of i20 right after installation is the giveaway.
- Confirm the hose loops high under the countertop before dropping to its connection.
- Run a short cycle and cancel it to trigger a drain, watching whether the tub empties briskly.
When to call a technician
- Standing water persists with the trap, hose, and disposal path verified — the drain pump is next.
- The pump hums or grinds without moving water.
- Water rises into the sink as the dishwasher drains, indicating a household plumbing blockage.
Typical professional repair cost: Drain pump replacement typically runs $150–$280 including labor.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the glass trap on a Frigidaire dishwasher?
In the tub floor under the lower spray arm, part of the filter stack — designed to catch exactly the shards and pits that kill pumps. Lift the arm or twist the assembly per your manual; it comes out by hand for rinsing.
The unit drains a little but i20 still appears — why?
Partial blockages produce partial drains: the pump moves some water but not at the rate the control expects within its window. Half-clogged traps and kinked hoses are the classic culprits behind the drains-but-errors pattern.
Can I run a cleaning product through to clear i20?
Dishwasher cleaners help grease films but won't shift solid debris in the trap or hose junction — the mechanical checks have no chemical substitute. Cleaner is good follow-up maintenance once the blockage is out.
Related Frigidaire codes
- Frigidaire Dishwasher i10 Water isn't reaching the tub fast enough — the under-sink valve, a kinked line, or a stuck float explain most i10 errors before any part needs replacing.
- Frigidaire Dishwasher i30 Water collected in the pan beneath the tub and the anti-leak response took over — the cause ranges from a one-off overflow or suds episode to a genuine seal failure.
- Frigidaire Dishwasher i60 The water isn't heating the way the cycle requires — the element, its relay, or the temperature sensor is at fault, and all of them are mains-voltage parts for a professional.
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