What Does the F21 Error Code on a Whirlpool Washing Machine Mean?

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Empty your drum and reset your machine with ease

Co-authored by Trevor Storey and Eric McClure

Last Updated: September 17, 2024 Fact Checked

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• What does F21 mean?
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• Fixing F21 Errors
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• If the Error Reappears
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• Expert Interview
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• Tips

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The F21 error is one of the most common problems you’ll encounter if you have a Whirlpool washing machine. It indicates the machine can’t drain the water in the drum completely. Luckily, this is typically easy to diagnose and fix. Inspect your hose, unkink it, and then check for blockages. Then, check the drain filter. This should solve almost all F21 error codes, which we’ll cover here in detail.

Things You Should Know

• An F21 error on your Whirlpool washer means there’s a draining problem.
• The problem is likely related to the drain hose, so remove any kinks or knots and check the hose for blockages.
• If the hose is fine but the F21 error continues, call an appliance service technician to inspect the drain pump.

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Section 1 of 3:

What does F21 mean?

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1. F21 indicates the machine is having trouble draining. The drain hose is the thicker hose that comes out of the back of the machine and feeds into the sink or drain. When the machine signals it's time to empty the drum, a drain pump turns on, and the soapy water is dumped out. The F21 error indicates that there’s an error somewhere within this draining system and your Whirlpool machine is either struggling or incapable of dumping the water.

   • The F21 code is one of the most common error codes you’ll run into if you own a Whirlpool machine. It’s also usually one of the easiest codes to fix, so don’t worry!
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Section 2 of 3:

Fixing F21 Errors

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1. 1
   Unplug the machine or flip the circuit breaker. Press “Pause/Cancel” twice to turn the cycle off. Then, shut the power to the machine off. If you have access to the outlet, just unplug the machine. If your machine is tucked tight in a corner, flip the fuse on the circuit box to cut the power.
2. 2
   Inspect the drain hose for kinks. Locate the drain hose where it comes out of the back of the machine. Follow it all the way to the sink or drain where it lets the water out. If there are any kinks, knots, or bends in the hose, smooth them out by hand and readjust the hose so that it runs smoothly to your drain.

   • The hose cannot have any knots or kinks. The water won’t be able to flow freely if there are, and the Whirlpool will automatically shut down if the water isn’t emptying out correctly.
   • If the hose is frozen, just let it thaw organically. The only way a hose freezes is if the room is freezing, so either move your machine orwinterize the room.
3. 3
   Measure the distance from the ground to the drain. If the drain hose is too high or too low, the water won’t be able to drain at the proper speed. Whirlpool washer hoses must sit at least 39 inches (99 cm) off of the ground and no higher than 96 inches (240 cm) off of the ground. Make any adjustments as needed.
4. 4
   Ensure the hose isn’t too deep into the sink. If your drain hose leads into a sink, measure the distance from the edge of the top of the sink to the bottom of the hose. If it’s less than 4.5 inches (11 cm), you’re good to go. If it’s lower than that, adjust the fasteners holding the hose in place so that the hose sits higher up.

   • Water drains pretty quickly from the machine. If the hose is too low, the sink will fill with water and eventually reach the drain. This can cause it to siphon back into the drum and trigger the F21 error.
5. 5
   Remove the hose and check it for blockages. Unclip the fasteners holding the hose in place. Then, pull the hose out of the machine and shine a flashlight down it to check for blockages. If something is stuck in the hose, use a drain auger or wire coat hanger to remove it. Then, flush the hose with water to confirm the water is flowing freely through it.

   • Reinstall the hose when you’re done.
6. 6
   Clean the drain filter from the bottom of the machine. Locate the panel at the base of the washer. Gently pry it out and remove the panel. Look for a circular container on the right side of the revealed area. This is your drain filter. Twist it counterclockwise and remove it from the machine. Rinse the filter under cold water and remove any chunks of lint or debris before reinstalling the filter to clean it.

   • The drain filter is designed to keep dirt out of the drain hose. But if it has been a few hundred washes since you last cleaned the filter, it may have accumulated a lot of debris. This debris can keep the washer from draining correctly.
7. 7
   Turn the power back on and re-run your cycle. Your Whirlpool will run a fresh diagnostic cycle once you power the machine back on. So, if F21 doesn’t reappear, you should be in the clear. Select your cycle again and run it. If there’s still water in the drum from the F21 error, it should drain immediately before your cycle starts.
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Section 3 of 3:

If the Error Reappears

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1. Contact an appliance professional to inspect the pump and electrical. If the hose and filter are clear but you run into the F21 error again, contact a professional appliance repair company to come to inspect the machine. You’ve likely got an issue with the drain pump or the electrical wiring connecting the pump to the main board, but these issues require complex electrical work, so leave it to a pro.

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Tips

• If your drum isn’t draining but you see “Sd,” “Sds,” or “5d,” you used too much soap and your machine is waiting for some of the suds to dissipate. Leave the machine alone for at least 1-2 hours. It should kick on automatically once the suds level drops. In the future, use less detergent and make sure you’re using a high-efficiency detergent designed for modern machines.
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