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

  1. Clear food soil from the filter or glass trap at the bottom of the tub.
  2. If a garbage disposer was just installed, make sure its knockout plug has been removed.
  3. Check the drain hose under the sink for kinks, pinches or clogs.
  4. Make sure the drain hose rises at least 32 inches above the floor.
  5. Reset: press and hold Cancel, or turn off the breaker, or unplug the dishwasher for 3 minutes.

What causes i20

CauseWhat you noticeWhat 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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.