Electrolux Dishwasher Error i20: Drain Issue — Dishwasher Did Not Drain Properly

1. SAFETY: Turn off power to the dishwasher at the circuit breaker before reaching into the sump area.
2. Remove the lower dish rack. Locate the cylindrical filter assembly in the bottom of the tub — twist it counterclockwise and lift it out.
3. Rinse the filter and glass trap under hot running water, using a soft brush to clear any trapped food debris or grease.
4. Reinstall the filter and confirm it is locked back into place.
5. Under the sink, check that the drain hose forms a high loop or connects to an air gap fitting, and that the apex of the loop is at least 32 inches above the floor.
6. Straighten any kinks in the drain hose. If connected to a garbage disposer, confirm the knockout plug in the disposer inlet was removed at installation.
7. If an air gap fitting is installed on the countertop, remove its chrome cap and check both chambers for blockages.
8. Restore power and run a drain-only cycle — press Cancel and wait for the pump to clear the tub.
9. If i20 returns after all filter and hose checks, the drain pump may be clogged or failed. Call a technician.

Error i20 on your Electrolux dishwasher means: The dishwasher attempted to drain but could not remove water from the tub within the expected time. Water remains in the sump or tub. The most common causes are a clogged filter, a blocked drain hose, or an incorrect drain hose installation height. The dishwasher's self-diagnostic system has detected this condition and paused operation.

The most frequent cause is drain filter and sump screen clogged with food debris — the most frequent cause on frigidaire and electrolux dishwashers. Work through the causes and fix steps below in order — most Electrolux dishwasher errors are resolved without a service call.

Many cases of i20 can be resolved by the homeowner using the steps below. If the DIY checks do not resolve the error, a technician is needed.

The drain filter and glass trap at the bottom of the tub are the first things to check on any Electrolux dishwasher drain error. They collect food debris over time and should be removed and rinsed monthly. Cleaning them takes about 10 minutes and resolves the majority of drain faults without further work.

Electrolux dishwasher warnings like this often show up after standing water, slow draining, heavy food residue, or a cycle that never returned to normal at the end.

• Assuming the display code proves one exact failed part before the safe first checks are done.
• Blaming a pump or valve first when a blocked path, filter, hose, or household plumbing issue is still possible.
• Replacing a lock or latch too early when alignment, trapped laundry, or startup conditions may still explain the warning.

• Drain filter and sump screen clogged with food debris — the most frequent cause on Frigidaire and Electrolux dishwashers
• Knockout plug not removed from garbage disposer inlet when dishwasher was first installed
• Drain hose not elevated to at least 32 inches above the floor, allowing water to siphon back into the tub
• Kinked or pinched drain hose under the sink restricting flow
• Clogged or faulty drain pump unable to move water out of the sump

• Do not run repeated cycles with standing water in the tub — the heating element can overheat without adequate water flow

i20 persists after cleaning the filter, correcting drain hose routing, and verifying the disposer knockout plug is removed

• The drain pump runs but water remains in the tub after a full drain cycle

• Clean the drain filter every four weeks — food and grease accumulation in the sump is the leading cause of i20 on Frigidaire and Electrolux dishwashers
• Run the garbage disposer before starting the dishwasher if they share a drain connection

Use the code page for one careful first pass, then stop if the same warning returns or the appliance still cannot get back to normal operation.