Westinghouse, Simpson and Electrolux Washing Machine E20 and E21

Quick answer: E20 and E21 on a Westinghouse, Simpson or Electrolux washing machine mean the water did not drain in the allowed time. In order: the pump filter is blocked with coins, hair or lint; the drain hose is kinked, blocked or pushed too far into the standpipe; the pump impeller is jammed; or the drain pump has failed. Clean the filter, check the hose and run a drain and spin. If the pump hums without moving water, replace it. On some top loaders the same fault shows as C2.

The parts that clear this codeGenuine and compatible parts, dispatched from Sydney (12pm cut-off)

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Last updated September 2026

Westinghouse, Simpson and Electrolux washing machines share the same Electrolux platform, so E20 means the same thing on a Westinghouse WWF, a Simpson SWF and an Electrolux EWF: the machine tried to pump out and the water level did not drop. E21 is the same fault flagged a little differently (on many models it means the pump ran but the level did not fall in time). Some top loaders without a full display show it as C2 and two beeps.

E20 is one of the most common washing machine codes in Australia and one of the cheapest to clear, because in most homes it is a coin. This guide takes the causes in order, shows how to tell a blockage from a dead pump, and covers the front loaders (WWF, SWF, EWF, WWW, EWW) and top loaders (WWT, SWT, EWT) sold here. A front loader holding water will keep its door locked while E20 shows; that is the door lock doing its job, not a second fault.

Westinghouse, Simpson and Electrolux E20 / E21: the causes, ranked, and how to check each

Codes are listed as they appear on the display. Where two generations of the platform use different codes for the same fault, both are shown. Always confirm against the manual for your exact model before ordering a part.

Check, in order	What you are looking for	What it means if you find it	Fix / the part
1. Drain the water out	Front loaders: the emergency drain hose behind the kick panel; top loaders: the drain hose lowered into a bucket	You need the drum empty before the filter cover will come off without a flood	Drain into a shallow tray; expect several litres
2. The pump filter	Coins, hair grips, lint, a sock, a bra wire in the filter chamber behind the kick panel	The blockage stopped the pump moving water	Unscrew the filter, clear it, check the chamber behind it, refit and run a drain and spin
3. The drain hose	Kinks behind the machine, a hose pushed more than about 150 mm into the standpipe, a blocked standpipe or spigot	Water cannot get away or siphons back	Straighten and reposition the hose; clear the standpipe
4. The pump impeller	With the filter out, the impeller behind it does not spin freely by hand	Debris has jammed the impeller	Clear the debris; check the impeller blades are intact
5. The pump itself	Filter clean, hose clear, impeller free, and the pump hums or is silent during drain	The pump motor has failed or the coil is open	Replace the drain pump
6. Pump wiring	Scorched or wet connector at the pump	A poor connection stops the pump without it failing	Dry and refit the connector
7. Pressure switch or hose	E20 with the drum empty, or the machine thinks it is full when it is not	The level sensing is wrong	Clear the pressure hose of sludge; replace the pressure switch — fit the Westinghouse Washing Machine DOOR LOCK SWITCH WWW9024M5SA WWW9024M5WA
8. Top loader outlet hose	Hose blocked with lint at the pump outlet	Common on top loaders after years of lint	Remove and flush the hose

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E20 is a coin far more often than a pump

The pump filter sits behind the small flap or kick panel at the bottom front of a front loader. Drain the machine first using the small emergency hose next to it, then unscrew the filter anticlockwise. Behind it you will almost always find the cause: coins, hair grips, lint felt, the odd sock. Clear the chamber, check the impeller behind it spins freely with a finger, refit the filter firmly and run a drain and spin. On top loaders the filter is usually reached through the base or the pump outlet hose, and the culprit is lint.

How to tell a blocked pump from a dead one

With the filter out and the machine set to drain, a healthy pump turns its impeller briskly. A pump that hums without turning has something jammed in it or a seized bearing. A pump that is silent, with the machine clearly trying to drain, has an open coil. Both of the last two mean a new pump, and on this platform it is a plug-in part held by two or three screws behind the kick panel, with the hoses clipped on.

The door will not open with E20

A front loader holding water keeps its door locked, so E20 usually arrives with a locked door. That is normal. Drain the machine through the emergency hose and the lock releases after a minute or so. Do not force the handle.

Westinghouse washing machine parts in stock in Sydney

These are the parts behind the codes above that we hold in stock and ship Australia-wide. Match the model number on your model sticker before ordering, or run it through the Part Finder and let it match for you. Every part we hold for the brand is listed on the Westinghouse parts page, and by model on the model pages; the wider range is in the washing machine parts store.

Is it safe to fix an error code yourself?

Most of the codes above are cleared with a filter clean, a hose check or a plug-in part swap, and those are ordinary DIY jobs: unplug the machine, photograph the wiring before you unplug anything, and never bypass a door lock or a thermal cut-out. Anything involving the sealed refrigerant circuit, gas, or a mains-side repair belongs with a licensed repairer.

Frequently asked questions

What does E20 mean on a Westinghouse washing machine?

The water did not drain in the allowed time. Clean the pump filter, check the drain hose, and run a drain and spin. If the pump hums without moving water, replace it.

Is E21 different from E20?

Same system. On many models E21 means the pump ran but the water level did not fall in time, which points more toward the hose or the pump; E20 is the general drain fault. The checks are the same.

What is C2 on a Simpson top loader?

The same drain fault as E20, shown as C2 with two beeps on models without a full display.

How do I open the door with E20 showing?

Drain the machine through the emergency hose behind the kick panel. The door lock releases once the water is out and the machine has cooled.

Where is the pump filter on an Electrolux front loader?

Behind the small flap or kick panel at the bottom front, next to the emergency drain hose. Unscrew it anticlockwise after draining.

Which drain pump fits my Westinghouse?

Match the model number on the sticker inside the door rim or on the back to the pump listings on this page, or run it through our Part Finder.

Read the code, then fit the part

Drain, filter, hose, impeller, pump. E20 is fixed in that order in almost every laundry. Find your Westinghouse part now

Disclaimer: this article is general information only and is provided without warranty of any kind. Appliance designs vary between models and production runs — always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, switch off and unplug the appliance before starting any work, and confirm parts against the model number on your appliance’s model sticker. Any repair is undertaken at your own risk and Oz Appliance Spares accepts no liability for injury, loss or damage arising from work performed after reading this guide, to the maximum extent permitted by law. If in doubt, use a qualified technician.