Frigidaire Dishwasher Error i20 – Causes & Fix
Frigidaire's drain code. Check the disposer plug, the 32-inch drain hose height and the glass trap first.
At a glance
Severity: Low
- Meaning
- Drain Error – Unit Did Not Drain Properly
- System
- Frigidaire · Dishwasher
- Typical repair cost
- $0–$350
- DIY difficulty
- Easy
Frigidaire uses i20 when the dishwasher did not drain properly: the pump ran, but the water didn't leave the tub the way the control expected. Frigidaire's own checklist is specific: the disposer knockout plug must be removed, the drain hose must not be blocked, pinched or restricted, the hose must rise to at least 32 inches above the floor, and the glass trap and filter must be free of food. The glass trap is a small cup below the filter that catches broken glass and hard bits before they reach the pump, and it's the part most owners don't know exists.
How it looks on the display
Model families & display variants
| Model family | Shows | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Frigidaire and Frigidaire Gallery top-control models | i20 | The lowercase i is part of the code; some owners read it as 120 or I20. |
| Frigidaire Professional models | i20 | Same drain code and the same glass trap and filter layout. |
| Electrolux-built models sold under other names | i20 | Dishwashers on the same Electrolux platform use the same i-code list, including i20 for drain. |
Safety first · Consult a professional
Turn off the breaker or unplug the dishwasher before reaching into the sump. The glass trap exists because broken glass ends up there, so wear gloves.
- Unplug the appliance or switch off the breaker before opening any panel. Mains voltage can kill.
- Water and electricity: unplug first, keep towels ready and never stand in water while the appliance is connected.
Symptoms
- i20 on the display and the cycle stops
- Dirty water standing over the filter
- Drain pump hum without the level dropping
- Sink or disposer gurgles or backs up during the drain
- Code showed up on the first run after installation
Possible causes
Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).
- Filter and glass trap clogged with food, grease or glass
- Disposer knockout plug still in place on a new install
- Drain hose pinched, kinked or blocked
- Drain hose not raised to 32 inches, letting water flow back
- Sink drain or air gap clogged
- Drain pump failed
Fix it step by step
Cancel and power off
Press and hold Cancel to stop the cycle, then turn off the breaker. Pull out the lower rack and bail out the standing water.
Tools: Towels & shallow pan
Empty the glass trap and filter
Lift out the filter assembly and, beneath it, the glass trap cup. Empty the trap, rinse the filter under running water with a soft brush and wipe the sump.
Tools: Soft brush, Gloves, Flashlight
Check the disposer inlet
On a new disposer, remove the knockout plug from its dishwasher inlet and fish the loose disc out of the disposer. Run the disposer with water on an older one.
Tools: Screwdriver, Flashlight
Measure the hose height
Under the sink, the drain hose should rise to at least 32 inches above the floor before it drops to the drain or disposer. Fasten it high against the underside of the counter if it sags.
Tools: Flashlight
Follow the hose for kinks
Remove the kick plate and trace the hose from the pump to the sink. Straighten kinks and replace any section that is flattened or cracked.
Tools: Screwdriver, Flashlight
Run a drain test
Reassemble, restore power, start a cycle and cancel after a couple of minutes. Water should rush out within about a minute; if it doesn't with the path clear, the pump is suspect.
How to reset i20
- Press and hold Cancel until the dishwasher stops and drains.
- If i20 remains, turn off the breaker or unplug the dishwasher for about 3 minutes.
- Restore power and run a short cycle to confirm it drains.
Where the parts are
- 1Door lock
- 2Water inlet valve
- 3Filter
- 4Circulation pump
- 5Heating element
- 6Drain pump
- 7Float switch
- 8Temperature sensor
- 9Water level sensor
Repair options & costs
| Repair | DIY? | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Clean filter and glass trap | Yes | $0 |
| Remove disposer knockout plug | Yes | $0 |
| Re-route or replace drain hose | Yes | $15–$45 |
| Drain pump replacement by a technician | No | $180–$350 |
| Plumber to clear sink drain | No | $120–$250 |
Rough US estimates; technician call-out fees vary by region. Not a quote.
When to call a technician
Call a technician if i20 keeps returning with a clean filter and glass trap, a correctly routed hose and a clear sink drain. A pump that stays silent or only hums during a drain test needs to be checked from below.
Frequently asked questions
What is the glass trap on a Frigidaire dishwasher?
It's a small removable cup under the filter that catches broken glass and hard debris before it reaches the pump. Frigidaire lists clearing it as part of the i20 fix.
Why does Frigidaire specify 32 inches for the drain hose?
Raising the hose that high keeps dirty water in the sink drain from running back into the dishwasher. A low hose lets water sit in the tub and slows the drain.
What's the difference between i20 and i40?
Frigidaire uses i20 when the unit didn't drain properly and i40 for a clogged filter or sump. The cleaning steps overlap, but i20 also means checking the hose, disposer and pump.
Is i20 the same as 120?
Yes. The first character is a lowercase i, which looks like a 1 on some displays. Frigidaire's error list calls it i20.
Sources
- Official Frigidaire user documentation and support pages (facts only; wording is our own)
- Methodology: How We Build Code Pages · Data Sources We Use · Editorial Policy