F21
Whirlpool Washing Machine
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
Whirlpool F21 means the washing machine took longer than 8 minutes to drain. The coin trap / pump filter is almost always the cause — it takes 5 minutes to clean and fixes F21 in the majority of cases.
Affected Models
- Whirlpool Duet series
- Whirlpool WFW series
- Whirlpool Cabrio front-load
- Whirlpool HE front-load washers
Common Causes
- Coin trap / pump filter clogged with lint, coins, or small items
- Drain hose kinked, crushed, or too far into the standpipe
- Household drain pipe blocked or slow
- Drain pump impeller jammed by a sock or small garment
- Drain pump motor failed
- Control board error — rare, try reset first
How to Fix It
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Clean the coin trap / pump filter.
The filter is behind a small access panel at the bottom-front of the washer. Place a shallow baking tray and towels on the floor — water will pour out. Slowly unscrew the cap (anti-clockwise). Pull out the filter and remove all debris: coins, hair pins, lint, fabric. Rinse under the tap, reinsert, and tighten the cap firmly. This fix resolves F21 in most cases.
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Check the drain hose.
The drain hose at the back of the washer should not be kinked or crushed by the machine being pushed against a wall. Also check how far it is inserted into the standpipe — it should go in no more than 6–8 inches (15–20 cm). Inserting it too deep creates a siphon effect that prevents proper draining.
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Run a Drain & Spin cycle.
After clearing the filter and checking the hose, select the Drain & Spin cycle. If the machine drains successfully and F21 does not reappear, the issue is resolved. If F21 returns within the next few washes, check whether the hose or household drain is partially restricted.
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Check the household drain.
Pour a bucket of water into the standpipe where the drain hose empties. If it drains slowly, the household pipe is blocked. The washing machine's drain pump can pump out water faster than a slow household drain can accept it, triggering F21 even if the pump is fine.
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Test the drain pump.
With the filter clean and hoses clear, if F21 persists and you hear the pump humming during drain but no water moves, the impeller is likely jammed by a small garment. Remove the filter and look for fabric around the impeller. If the pump is silent during drain, it has failed electrically and needs replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clear the F21 code on my Whirlpool washer?
To clear F21, fix the underlying drainage problem first (usually cleaning the pump filter), then press Pause/Cancel twice followed by Power to reset the error. If the filter is clean and the error persists, run a Drain & Spin cycle — if it completes, the code should clear automatically. Do not just reset the code without fixing the drain issue or F21 will return immediately.