What causes Frigidaire Washer E21?

A kinked, pinched or clogged drain hose, which Electrolux names as the most common cause. A drain hose pushed too far into the standpipe or fitted snugly in it. Frigidaire's manual says to insert it less than 8.5 inches and leave an air gap around it. A clogged sink trap, standpipe or house drain pipe. A standpipe that's too tall (Frigidaire's maximum is 8 feet) or too narrow (1-1/4 inch inside diameter minimum). A sock, coin or other object blocking the drain pump. A worn-out drain pump. Less often, wiring to the pump or a control board that isn't sending power to the pump.

How do I fix Frigidaire Washer E21?

Unplug the washer before you look behind it or open any panel. Pull the washer out a little and look for kinks or twists in the drain hose. Straighten it, and clean out any lint or debris inside it. Check how the hose sits in the drain. Frigidaire's manual says to form a U shape at the end, insert it less than 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) into the standpipe, and leave an air gap, since a snug fit can cause siphoning. Secure it with the cable tie so it can't pull out. Check the standpipe itself: Frigidaire calls for at least a 1-1/4 inch inside diameter and a height of 24 inches to 8 feet above the floor, with a drain that can take about 17 gallons a minute. Test the house drain by running a drain and spin with the hose in a laundry tub or a large bucket. If it drains fine that way, the standpipe or house drain is clogged and may need a plumber. If the washer was just installed or moved, Electrolux also says to confirm the hot and cold supply hoses aren't reversed and to have the installer check the work. Plug the washer back in and run a drain and spin to see whether E21 comes back.

When should I call a pro for Frigidaire Washer E21?

E21 returns after the drain hose and house drain have been checked and are clear. The pump doesn't run or hum during the drain. Frigidaire's tech sheet has the technician check for 120 VAC at the drain pump: no voltage points to the control board, and voltage with no draining means removing the pump to clear a blockage or replacing it. The display shows E23 or E24 instead, which point to the pump relay on the control board, pump wiring or the pump itself. Water is trapped in the drum and you can't get it out safely. Your washer was installed in the past 30 days. Electrolux says to go back to your installer first; after 30 days, contact Frigidaire to schedule service.

Code: E21🧺 Frigidaire Washer

Frigidaire Washer E21 Error Code: Water Not Pumping Out Fast Enough (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Q: What does Frigidaire Washer E21 mean?

E21 on a Frigidaire front-load washer means the water isn't pumping out fast enough: the drain took longer than the washer allows. Start with the drain path. Straighten a kinked drain hose, make sure it isn't jammed tight into the standpipe, and check that the house drain isn't clogged. If the hose and drain are clear and E21 keeps coming back, the drain pump is usually blocked or worn out, and a technician checks the pump and control board. Frigidaire's front-load Washer Tech Data Sheet (137063900) lists E21 as "Water not pumping out fast enough." Electrolux, Frigidaire's parent company, uses the same code on its front-loaders and calls it "long pump out time": the water isn't pumping fast enough or is taking too long to empty, and it says a kinked drain hose is the most common cause. Sears PartsDirect lists E21 for Frigidaire digital-display front-load washers as "Drains slowly." E21 is different from E23 and E24, which the tech sheet ties to the drain pump relay on the control board or a disconnected or failed pump. This page covers Frigidaire front-load washers; Frigidaire top-load washers use their own code list.

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Based on 4 manufacturer & service sources

What the code means

Frigidaire's front-load Washer Tech Data Sheet (137063900) lists E21 as "Water not pumping out fast enough." Electrolux, Frigidaire's parent company, uses the same code on its front-loaders and calls it "long pump out time": the water isn't pumping fast enough or is taking too long to empty, and it says a kinked drain hose is the most common cause. Sears PartsDirect lists E21 for Frigidaire digital-display front-load washers as "Drains slowly." E21 is different from E23 and E24, which the tech sheet ties to the drain pump relay on the control board or a disconnected or failed pump. This page covers Frigidaire front-load washers; Frigidaire top-load washers use their own code list.

Likely causes

A kinked, pinched or clogged drain hose, which Electrolux names as the most common cause
A drain hose pushed too far into the standpipe or fitted snugly in it. Frigidaire's manual says to insert it less than 8.5 inches and leave an air gap around it
A clogged sink trap, standpipe or house drain pipe
A standpipe that's too tall (Frigidaire's maximum is 8 feet) or too narrow (1-1/4 inch inside diameter minimum)
A sock, coin or other object blocking the drain pump
A worn-out drain pump
Less often, wiring to the pump or a control board that isn't sending power to the pump

Safe DIY checks

⚠ Before you start

Always unplug the washer before checking the hose, the pump or any panel. Water left in the drum can be hot, so let it cool and keep towels and a shallow pan nearby before disconnecting anything.

Unplug the washer before you look behind it or open any panel.
Pull the washer out a little and look for kinks or twists in the drain hose. Straighten it, and clean out any lint or debris inside it.
Check how the hose sits in the drain. Frigidaire's manual says to form a U shape at the end, insert it less than 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) into the standpipe, and leave an air gap, since a snug fit can cause siphoning. Secure it with the cable tie so it can't pull out.
Check the standpipe itself: Frigidaire calls for at least a 1-1/4 inch inside diameter and a height of 24 inches to 8 feet above the floor, with a drain that can take about 17 gallons a minute.
Test the house drain by running a drain and spin with the hose in a laundry tub or a large bucket. If it drains fine that way, the standpipe or house drain is clogged and may need a plumber.
If the washer was just installed or moved, Electrolux also says to confirm the hot and cold supply hoses aren't reversed and to have the installer check the work.
Plug the washer back in and run a drain and spin to see whether E21 comes back.

🛠 When to call a pro

E21 returns after the drain hose and house drain have been checked and are clear.
The pump doesn't run or hum during the drain. Frigidaire's tech sheet has the technician check for 120 VAC at the drain pump: no voltage points to the control board, and voltage with no draining means removing the pump to clear a blockage or replacing it.
The display shows E23 or E24 instead, which point to the pump relay on the control board, pump wiring or the pump itself.
Water is trapped in the drum and you can't get it out safely.
Your washer was installed in the past 30 days. Electrolux says to go back to your installer first; after 30 days, contact Frigidaire to schedule service.

Parts that commonly fix it

Always match the part number to your exact model.

⚙

Washer drain hose (exact part for your model)

Replace if it's cracked, crushed or permanently kinked.

Search eBay →

⚙

Frigidaire front-load washer drain pump (exact part for your model)

Only after the hose and house drain are ruled out and the pump is confirmed blocked or failed. Match your model number.

Search eBay →

⚙

Digital multimeter

For a technician-style check of power at the pump. Only if you're comfortable working with 120 V.

Search eBay →

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-25. Always confirm against the manual for your exact model number.

Frigidaire Washer E21 Error Code: Water Not Pumping Out Fast Enough (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

What the code means

Likely causes

Safe DIY checks

🛠 When to call a pro

Parts that commonly fix it

Washer drain hose (exact part for your model)

Frigidaire front-load washer drain pump (exact part for your model)

Digital multimeter

Related codes

Sources