Whirlpool · Washing Machine
Whirlpool Washing Machine F20 Error Code
No water detected during fill
What this error means
F20 (also shown as FH on some displays) means the pressure sensor detected no water in the tub within about 30 seconds of the inlet valves opening. Both hot and cold supplies must be connected—single-hose setups trigger this fault on Duet washers.
How F20 is detected
When F20 appears on a Whirlpool washing machine, the control board has confirmed that water did not leave the machine within the programmed drain window. On Whirlpool WFW560CHW, Whirlpool WFW6620HC, and similar variants, the drain pump runs for a fixed interval—often three to seven minutes on washers and dishwashers—while a pressure switch or turbidity sensor verifies the tub or sump is empty. If water remains, the cycle stops to prevent spin with a full tub or overflow on the next fill.
Most F20 calls are resolved without parts: verify both hot and cold faucets are fully open and water reaches the inlet hoses. Restricted drain paths mimic pump failure because the impeller spins against a blocked hose or filter. Document whether the pump hums audibly during the drain step; a humming pump with no water movement points to a clogged filter or kinked hose, while silence may indicate a failed pump motor or loose wiring at the harness.
After clearing blockages, run a short cycle and listen at the drain hose for steady water flow. If F20 returns on the next load with a clean filter and straight hose, measure resistance at the pump motor connector per the service manual for your model before ordering a replacement pump assembly.
Common causes
- One or both supply faucets turned off behind the washer
- Inlet hose screens clogged with sediment at the valve connections
- Kinked inlet hoses restricting flow below 10 psi
- Flood-preventing supply hoses tripping their internal shutoff from high flow
Step-by-step fixes
- 1Verify both hot and cold faucets are fully open and water reaches the inlet hoses
- 2Disconnect hoses at the washer, rinse the metal screens inside each valve, and reconnect
- 3Straighten inlet hoses and remove any kinks against the wall
- 4Pause/Cancel twice to clear the display, then restart the cycle with both valves confirmed on
When to call a technician
If water flows strongly at the disconnected hoses but F20 persists, the inlet valve solenoids or pressure switch likely need service.
Affected models
- Whirlpool WFW560CHW
- Whirlpool WFW6620HC
- Whirlpool WFW9620HW
Prevention & maintenance
- Clean drain filters and hose terminations monthly on high-use washing machines to prevent F20 from lint and food debris buildup.
- Record when F20 appears in the cycle and whether it clears after a 60-second power reset on your Whirlpool washing machine—that detail speeds diagnosis if you call service.
- Keep the model and serial number from the rating plate when ordering parts for F20; Whirlpool uses multiple revisions with different harness lengths and board firmware.
- Photograph wiring connector orientation before disconnecting any component while troubleshooting F20; reversed plugs on pumps and valves cause immediate repeat faults.