Frigidaire Dishwasher i20 Code: Meaning & Fixes
- Meaning
- Drain problem: the dishwasher did not drain the water properly.
- Can I fix it?
- Yes, usually a DIY fix
- Also shown as
- I20
- Seen on
- Frigidaire dishwashers that display i codes, such as i20 and i30.
i20 on a Frigidaire dishwasher means the water did not drain properly. Frigidaire’s checks: the knockout plug in a newly installed garbage disposer, a blocked or kinked drain hose, a hose loop lower than 32 inches above the floor, and food soil in the filter. Then reset the code by unplugging the dishwasher for 3 minutes.
Try this first
- Clear food soil from the filter or glass trap at the bottom of the tub.
- If a garbage disposer was just installed, make sure its knockout plug has been removed.
- Check the drain hose under the sink for kinks, pinches or clogs.
- Make sure the drain hose rises at least 32 inches above the floor.
- Reset: press and hold Cancel, or turn off the breaker, or unplug the dishwasher for 3 minutes.
What causes i20
| Cause | What you notice | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Clogged filter or glass trap | Dirty water left on the tub floor | Filter at the bottom of the tub |
| Disposer knockout plug still in place | i20 on the first cycles after a new disposer | Dishwasher inlet on the side of the disposer |
| Kinked or blocked drain hose | i20 after the dishwasher was moved or pushed back | Hose under the sink and behind the dishwasher |
| Drain hose not high enough | Slow draining or water flowing back | Hose loop at least 32 inches above the floor |
| Drain pump fault | i20 returns with the filter and hose clear | Needs a technician |
Fix it step by step
Tap a step number to tick it off as you go. Ticks stay on this device.
-
Clean the filter
Remove the bottom rack, take out the filter or glass trap and rinse off food soil. Put it back and lock it in place.
Safety: If water is standing in the tub, switch off the breaker before you reach into it.
-
Check the disposer
If the dishwasher drains into a garbage disposer that was recently installed, check that the knockout plug inside the dishwasher inlet was removed.
Safety: Switch off the disposer at its switch or breaker before you work at its inlet.
-
Check the drain hose
Look under the sink and behind the dishwasher for a kinked, pinched or blocked hose. Make sure the hose loop is at least 32 inches above the floor.
-
Reset the code
Press and hold Cancel, or turn off power at the breaker, or unplug the dishwasher for 3 minutes. Then run a short cycle and check that it drains.
Safety: The dishwasher runs on 120 V. Keep the plug and outlet dry when you unplug it.
-
Call for service if it returns
If the filter, disposer and hose are all clear and i20 comes back, the drain pump or its wiring needs a technician.
Safety: The drain pump sits under the tub next to mains wiring and water. Leave it to a technician.
When to call a technician
If i20 returns after you have cleaned the filter, checked the disposer plug and the drain hose and reset the dishwasher, call Frigidaire service or a technician to check the drain pump.
Questions people ask
Is i20 the same as i30 on a Frigidaire dishwasher?
No. i20 means the dishwasher didn't drain properly. i30 means water was detected in the base pan under the tub, a leak or overflow.
How do I reset i20 on a Frigidaire dishwasher?
Frigidaire lists three ways: press and hold Cancel, turn off power at the breaker, or unplug the dishwasher for 3 minutes.
Why did i20 start after a new garbage disposer was installed?
New disposers come with a knockout plug in the dishwasher inlet. If it wasn't removed, the dishwasher can't drain, and Frigidaire lists this as the first check.