Electrolux Washer E21 Code: Slow to Drain? How to Fix It

What to try first

Safety: Never drain the drum by hand while it holds hot water; let it cool first. Keep a catch pan and a rag at hand, because the filter can release more water than one pan holds.

1. 1

   Let hot water cool first

   If E21 stopped a hot wash, wait for the water to cool before draining anything by hand. Electrolux warns of a burn hazard when the drum is full of hot water.

2. 2

   Free the drain hose along its whole length

   Pull the washer forward far enough to follow the drain hose from the back of the cabinet to the drain. Undo any fold or pinch, and make sure nothing heavy rests on it.

3. 3

   Seat the hose end the way Electrolux shows

   Form the end into a U pointing toward the drain and slide it less than 8.5 inches into the standpipe, held with a cable tie so it cannot pop out. If someone taped it in, peel back enough tape to leave an air path around the hose.

4. 4

   Rule out the house drain

   If the hose empties into a laundry sink, clear lint and hair from the sink drain. If the standpipe overflows or other drains in the home are slow, call a plumber rather than a washer technician.

5. 5

   Use less detergent

   Stick to HE detergent, measure it with the cap or scoop, and keep it below the MAX line in the dispenser. If the drum is full of foam, Electrolux's manual says to run a rinse cycle, so clear it before you blame the pump.

6. 6

   Clean the pump filter, if your model has one

   Some Electrolux models have a pump cleanout door low on the front. Open it, lower the flap and set a catch pan under the filter. Turn the filter half a turn counterclockwise without removing it and let the water run out, closing it whenever the pan fills. Then unscrew the filter, clear it, rinse it, check that its O-ring is in place and screw it back until it stops, without cross-threading or overtightening.

Most likely causes of E21

1. 1. A kinked or flattened drain hose (most common)

   Electrolux names this the most common E21 problem. Look for a fold behind the cabinet or a crushed spot where the hose drops into the drain.

2. 2. The hose sealed into the standpipe, or a standpipe that is too tall (common)

   Tape or a tight fitting closes the gap around the hose, or the pipe rises more than 8 feet. Electrolux says a standpipe needs air around the hose to drain properly.

3. 3. A clogged house drain (common)

   Water rises out of the standpipe, or a nearby laundry sink or floor drain is slow too. That points to the plumbing rather than the washer.

4. 4. Too much detergent (common)

   Thick foam fills the door glass late in the cycle. Electrolux warns that excess detergent can hold back draining.

5. 5. A clogged pump filter or an object caught in the pump (common)

   Coins or pins rattled during earlier cycles, or your model has a pump cleanout door that has not been opened in a long time.

6. 6. A failed drain pump or pressure switch (less common)

   Hose, standpipe and house drain are all clear, yet E21 keeps coming back and the pump sounds silent during the drain.

When to call a pro

• E21 returns once the hose, standpipe and house drain are clear. For washers installed more than 30 days ago, Electrolux says to schedule service.
• The washer was installed or moved in the last 30 days: Electrolux sends drain setup problems back to the installer.
• Something rattles in the pump and your model has no pump cleanout door. Electrolux's manual says to call an authorized technician.
• Water is left in the drum and there is no cleanout door to drain it safely.
• The standpipe or the house drain cannot meet Electrolux's drain requirements, which is work for a plumber.

What a E21 repair costs