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Whirlpool Washing Machine Error Code F20

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: July 19, 2026
⚠ Medium Severity 🔧 Easy DIY Also shown as: FH

No water detected entering the machine

The most common cause of the F20 error on a Whirlpool washing machine is hot or cold supply valve closed / partly open (~35% of cases); start with: confirm both faucets are on.

💰 DIY cost: $0–$70 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $120–$260 Save $120+ by doing it yourself
Whirlpool Washing Machine error code F20 on the display panel
How the F20 code appears on a Whirlpool washing machine display

What Does Error Code F20 Mean on a Whirlpool Washing Machine?

No water detected entering the machine.

F20 (displayed as FH on older Duet units) fires when the control board expects water in the tub but the pressure switch reports no rise in level within a set fill window. The board compares elapsed fill time against the pressure sensor's frequency signal; if the tub does not reach the target level, it aborts and flags F20. This distinguishes it from F21 (drain/pump problems) and F8E1 (long-fill or flow-metering faults), which involve draining or slow flow rather than an outright absence of incoming water.

Models affected: Whirlpool front-load washers (the older Duet series shows FH; models such as WFW5620HW, WFW9620HC, WFW6620HW) and some top-load models like WTW5000DW, WTW8127LC, WTW5057LW that monitor fill via a pressure switch
What owners report: Owners commonly report F20 or FH appearing right at the start of a cycle, often after the water supply was shut off for plumbing work or after a move. A frequent false trigger is a supply valve that looks open but is only partly turned; many report the quick win is simply fully opening both hot and cold faucets and clearing sediment from the inlet screens.

What Causes Error Code F20?

Here are the most common causes in order of frequency. Start with the most likely cause before moving to the next:

  1. 1
    Hot or cold supply valve closed / partly open 35% of cases
  2. 2
    Inlet hose screens clogged with sediment 30% of cases
  3. 3
    Faulty water inlet valve 20% of cases
  4. 4
    Low household water pressure or kinked hose 15% of cases

How to Fix Whirlpool Washing Machine Error Code F20

🔧 Easy DIY Est. time: 10–20 min
⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.
  1. 1

    Confirm both faucets are on

    Both hot and cold supply valves behind the washer must be fully open — the washer blends both even on cold cycles.

  2. 2

    Clean the inlet screens

    Shut off water, disconnect the fill hoses, and clean the mesh screens inside the inlet ports.

    ⚠️ Shut off the supply valves before disconnecting hoses.
  3. 3

    Check hoses and pressure

    Verify hoses are not kinked and household pressure is at least 20 PSI.

  4. 4

    Test the inlet valve

    Test the valve solenoids for continuity (about 200–500 ohms) and replace if open.

    🔩 Whirlpool water inlet valve ($30–$70)

How to Reset Error Code F20

Press PAUSE/CANCEL twice, then restart. To clear, press Pause or Cancel twice and the Power button once.

Note: If the error returns after resetting, the underlying issue has not been resolved. Work through the fix steps above.

Full Whirlpool washer reset guide → Enter diagnostic mode → Symptom guide: Washer not filling →

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

If supply and inlet valve are confirmed good and F20/FH persists, the pressure switch or main control board needs testing.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $120–$260

Related Error Codes

F21
Long drain — water not draining in the expected time
⚠ High Severity
F8E1
Low water fill detected — water inlet problem
⚠ Medium Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code F20 appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows F20 →

Maytag logo
Maytag Washing Machine F20
No water detected — fill failure
Kenmore logo
Kenmore Washing Machine F20
Water supply error — no water detected
Miele logo
Miele Washing Machine F20
Heating fault — water not reaching target temperature

Find Replacement Parts

Use these links to find the exact replacement parts for your Whirlpool Washing Machine:

🔩
Search PartSelect
Whirlpool Washing Machine repair parts
🔧
Search RepairClinic
Step-by-step video guides

External links — ApplianceErrors.com is not affiliated with these retailers.

More Whirlpool Washing Machine Error Codes

F9E1 Drain failure — cycle paused, water not draining F5E2 Door lock failure — latch cannot engage F1E1 Main control board failure SUD Excessive suds detected — too much detergent F0E2 Dispenser cannot dispense detergent or additive F7E1 Motor speed error — motor not reaching target RPM

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my Whirlpool Washing Machine when error F20 appears? +
You often can for a cycle or two, but the water-supply issue behind F20 will keep interrupting normal operation until it is fixed. Plan the repair rather than ignoring the code.
What most commonly causes F20 on a Whirlpool Washing Machine? +
Across reported Whirlpool washing machine repairs, the most frequent is hot or cold supply valve closed / partly open (35% of cases), inlet hose screens clogged with sediment (30%), then faulty water inlet valve (20%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
F20 keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored F20 fault; if it returns, the water-supply problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — confirm both faucets are on, then clean the inlet screens — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a beginner-friendly job needing only basic hand tools.
How much does it cost to fix Whirlpool Washing Machine error F20? +
A DIY repair typically runs $0–$70 in parts, versus $120–$260 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $120. Expect the work to take about 10–20 minutes.
Which Whirlpool Washing Machine models show error F20? +
F20 is documented on Whirlpool front-load washers (the older Duet series shows FH; models such as WFW5620HW, WFW9620HC, WFW6620HW) and some top-load models like WTW5000DW, WTW8127LC, WTW5057LW that monitor fill via a pressure switch. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

Content verified against manufacturer service documentation. Last verified: July 19, 2026.

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