Decoding the Whirlpool F20 Code: What on earth does it mean?

It’s normal to encounter issues with your washer from time to time, and one of the common problems that could have you scratching your head is seeing “F20” displayed on your digital screen. 

Well, no need to bust your brains trying to figure out its meaning. This article will tell you all about the F20 error code and how to solve it. 

What does the F20 code mean on my Whirlpool washer?

Whirlpool’s F20 code indicates that your washer doesn’t have enough water for a cycle. It could be that your machine’s unable to load water because the source is off, or the supply was cut midway through filling your tub. 

Don’t panic just yet! This doesn’t mean that your washer is broken and needs to be replaced. When this happens, identifying the reason behind the error will help you address the problem. 

How to Solve Whirlpool F20 Water Supply Error

You deserve an uninterrupted laundry day! That is why we’ve listed below five common causes of the F20 water supply error with their corresponding solutions.

This detailed guide will help you easily fix your Whirlpool washer’s water supply problem.

Cause	Solution
Turned off water faucets	• See if your hot and cold faucets are connected to your washer by water hoses.   • Then, check if both faucets’ handles are turned in the right direction, indicating that the valves are open to let water run free.  • If the handles are indeed turned on, the next step is to check if you have a steady water supply.  • Temporarily remove the hoses connecting the faucets to your washer and see if water will come out of them.
Blocked or clogged water hose	• Look for the water hoses connecting the washer to the hot and cold faucets. Remove the hoses by pulling them off the valves where they’re connected.  • See if there’s dirt blocking the tubes and get a brush that could fit inside the hoses. • Clean the inside of the hoses thoroughly using the brush, until water can pass freely from one end of the hose to the other.   • Once you’re sure that there’s no blockage, you can now reattach the hoses to your hot and cold faucets and to the valves behind your washer.
Looped or kinked water hose	• Untangle and straighten the hose. Smoothen out any creases that formed from where the hose had been kinked to avoid it from folding again.  • Clear out any item, furniture, or decor that could get in its way and cause it to get looped or kinked.  • You should also keep the hose away from the floor where people could step on it.
Low water pressure	• Get a water pressure gauge. If you don’t have one, you can buy it in hardware stores.  • Check and turn off all open faucets in your house.  • Search for an outdoor faucet where you can conduct a water pressure test. Remove any hose or filters attached to the spout if there are any. • Attach the water pressure gauge to the spout and screw it in tightly to avoid water from leaking. • Turn the faucet on fully and check what number the water pressure gauge’s pointer would hit. • The pressure should be more than 10psi (pound-per-square-inch). • If it is anything lower than 10psi, contact your water utility company to have your water pressure adjusted.
Glitching control board	• Press the pause or cancel button until the washer starts to drain the remaining water in its tub.  • Wait for the washer to repeat the cycle and see if the F20 error code would appear again.  • If it does pop on the digital screen, the next step is to reset the control board by disconnecting the washer from the power.  • Turn the washer off and unplug it. Let it stay disconnected from the power source for a few minutes.  • Plug it in and turn the washer on again.

Now that you know the possible issues, it’s time to set to work and resolve each properly. 

Turned-Off Water Faucets

Most people forget to turn the water supply faucets on before starting a cycle. It may seem unimportant so many skip this first step, but that’s a common mistake that causes the Whirlpool F20 code to appear! 

Washers are connected to a hot water faucet and a cold water faucet. As the main source of your water supply, it’s important to have both of them turned on so your washer can load enough water.

Solution: First, ensure that you do have a steady water supply and that your water utility company has no issues. You can check your other faucets at home and see if the water’s coming out. 

Then, double-check your hot and cold water faucets connected to your Whirlpool washer and make sure that both are turned on. 

Turn the faucets’ handles fully for good measure.

Blocked or Clogged Water Hose

There are many things that can get stuck inside your water hose, like dirt, mud, film, and grime. As these accumulate over time, they become nasty obstructions inside the tube of the valve.

Leaving them unattended will hinder the water’s flow from the faucet and into the washer. This eventually leads to water supply issues.

Solution: To check what’s blocking the water flow, pull the hoses off the valves at the back of the washer. Clean the hoses thoroughly with a brush by letting running water pass through to remove the dirt.

Do this until the water can flow freely from one end of the hose to the other.

Looped or Kinked Water Hose

It’s easy for the water hose to get snagged and folded because of its length. For instance, it could have gotten kinked when someone accidentally stepped on it.

The hoses could also get caught in other things, like a hook on the wall or underneath the washer or dryer’s wheel. One wrong pull and the hose could even get looped and tangled around the faucet or other things nearby. 

Solution: Simply straighten the hoses and remove the creases that formed to avoid them from kinking again. Keep the hoses off the floor where people could step on them accidentally. 

You should also put them away from other things, like hangers and protruding objects, to prevent the hoses from getting snagged.

Low Water Pressure

The water pressure level must be set higher than 10 psi (pound-per-square-inch). Otherwise, the washer won’t wash and spin properly.

Solution: You can find out your water pressure using a water pressure gauge. This can be purchased from hardware stores and makes for a very good investment in house maintenance. 

Once you have your gauge prepared, make sure that all the faucets at your house are turned off. 

Search for an outdoor faucet where you can conduct the water pressure test. Doing this outside helps avoid creating a mess in case the water leaks.

Make sure that your water spout is free from any filters or hoses. If you find anything attached to it, remove it and replace it with the water pressure gauge.

Remember to remove any obstructions for an accurate water pressure measurement. With hoses, filters, and other possible attachments out of the way, screw the water gauge in the spout.

Next, turn the faucet on in full blast and watch as the gauge’s pointer moves and lands on a number. The pressure should be more than 10 psi. 

If the pressure is lower than that number, contact your water supplier or utility company to have the water pressure checked and changed.

Glitching Control Board

If you didn’t find anything wrong with your water source and its flow, your Whirlpool washer’s control board might be the culprit behind the error code. 

Sometimes, error codes appear because of a control board glitch. Don’t worry because you won’t need super technical skills to solve this issue.

Solution: You can fix your glitching control board by resetting it, and it’s not as complicated as it sounds! You have two easy options to do this: 

• First, press the pause or cancel button twice until the washer drains the water and repeats the cycle.

• Second, turn off your machine and unplug it. Let it stay disconnected for a few minutes before turning it back on.

The F20 glitch on your control board should be gone after. 

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Whirlpool’s F20 code is not something to fear. By learning the reason behind this error, you’ll know what to do next to resolve it. 

You can troubleshoot your washer by following the corresponding steps for each issue above. However, there’s also nothing wrong with consulting a professional once you’ve exhausted all your ideas and resources. 

Keep in touch with Whirlpool staff and other experienced technicians if the problem persists. 

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