Whirlpool Washing Machine Error Code F21

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: July 19, 2026

⚠ High Severity 🔧🔧 Moderate DIY

Long drain — water not draining in the expected time

The most common cause of the F21 error on a Whirlpool washing machine is clogged drain pump filter / trap (~45% of cases); start with: clean the drain pump filter.

💰 DIY cost: $0–$90 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $150–$280 Save $150+ by doing it yourself

Whirlpool Washing Machine error code F21 on the display panel — How the F21 code appears on a Whirlpool washing machine display

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

Long drain — water not draining in the expected time.

F21 fires when the control board senses water remains in the tub after the drain pump has run for the expected interval, indicating flow is restricted rather than absent. The board times the drain phase and, when the pressure or level sensor still reads water at timeout, logs a long-drain fault. This differs from F20 (no water detected/fill issue) and F9E1, a closely related long-drain variant; F21 specifically points to restricted outflow through the filter, hose, or pump.

Models affected: Front-load Whirlpool washers with a drain pump filter, notably models such as WFW5620HW, WFW9620HC, and WFW6620HW; some top-load HE models can display equivalent long-drain faults.

What owners report: Owners commonly report F21 appearing mid-cycle with a tub full of standing water, often after washing bulky or linty items. A clogged coin trap or a wad of debris in the pump filter is the frequent quick win, and excessive suds from regular (non-HE) detergent can falsely trigger it.

What Causes Error Code F21?

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

1

Clogged drain pump filter / trap 45% of cases
2

Kinked or blocked drain hose 25% of cases
3

Excess suds from non-HE detergent 15% of cases
4

Failed drain pump 15% of cases

How to Fix Whirlpool Washing Machine Error Code F21

🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Est. time: 30–60 min

⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.

1

Clean the drain pump filter

Open the lower-front access panel, place towels and a pan, and slowly remove the filter cap to drain water and clear debris.

⚠️ Water will spill — have towels ready.
2

Check the drain hose

Confirm the hose is not kinked and is inserted no more than 4.5 inches into the standpipe with a proper high loop.
3

Run a clean cycle with HE detergent

If suds are the cause, run a rinse/drain and switch to HE detergent.
4

Test the drain pump

If the filter and hose are clear, test the pump for continuity and replace if failed.

🔩 Whirlpool drain pump ($40–$90)

How to Reset Error Code F21

Clear the blockage, then run a Drain & Spin. F21 clears once draining completes.

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 won't drain →

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

If the pump and hose are clear and F21 persists, the main control board drain relay may have failed.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150–$280

Related Error Codes

F20

No water detected entering the machine

⚠ Medium Severity

F9E1

Drain failure — cycle paused, water not draining

⚠ High Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code F21 appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows F21 →

Bosch Washing Machine F21

Motor fault — drum not spinning or motor running abnormally

Kenmore Washing Machine F21

Slow drain — pump is draining but too slowly

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

F8E1 Low water fill detected — water inlet problem 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 F21 appears? +

It is not advisable. The washing machine may still power on, but running it while F21 is active can worsen the drainage fault or damage related parts. Treat it as a soon-as-possible repair.

What most commonly causes F21 on a Whirlpool Washing Machine? +

Across reported Whirlpool washing machine repairs, the most frequent is clogged drain pump filter / trap (45% of cases), kinked or blocked drain hose (25%), then excess suds from non-HE detergent (15%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.

F21 keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +

A reset only clears the stored F21 fault; if it returns, the drainage problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — clean the drain pump filter, then check the drain hose — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a moderate job — a multimeter and some disassembly are usually involved.

How much does it cost to fix Whirlpool Washing Machine error F21? +

A DIY repair typically runs $0–$90 in parts, versus $150–$280 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $150. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.

Which Whirlpool Washing Machine models show error F21? +

F21 is documented on Front-load Whirlpool washers with a drain pump filter, notably models such as WFW5620HW, WFW9620HC, and WFW6620HW; some top-load HE models can display equivalent long-drain faults.. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

• Whirlpool Product Help — official manufacturer documentation
• Our editorial & verification policy

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

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