Codes / Whirlpool / Washer (front load)
Whirlpool F21: A drain problem.
Whirlpool's page says F21 indicates a drain problem. It gives no further description of the fault.
Source: F21 - Front Load Washer (Whirlpool Product Help), last updated by Whirlpool 2025-11-19; read 2026-10-17. 3 owner checks listed.
Fault isolation, in Whirlpool's order
- Owner check from Whirlpool's page
- Observation Whirlpool asks you to make
- Request service: technician only beyond here
- Code should clear
The checks, with Whirlpool's detail
- 1Check whether the drain hose is kinked
Whirlpool asks this first. Look behind the washer.
- 2Check whether the drain hose is clogged
Whirlpool's second question about the hose.
- 3Reset the control
Disconnect the washer from power for 5 minutes, then reconnect it. If it is plugged into an outlet, unplug it for 5 minutes and plug it back in.
- Does F21 still appear?
Where to stop
Whirlpool's page says to contact it or schedule service (service.whirlpool.com, whirlpool.com/contact-us).
Not covered here, on purpose: The drain pump, its wiring and the pressure switch. Whirlpool's page lists the hose checks and a reset, nothing else. Read when to stop and call a technician.
Same code, different meaning on other brands
None of the other brands in the verified set (Bosch, LG, Samsung, ) uses F21 on the official pages read for this site. If your display shows F21 on a different brand, do not apply these checks; use the lookup or that brand's own support page.
Same symptom on other brands
- OELG washer: The washer cannot drain the water from the wash cycle.
- F9 E1Whirlpool washer: Long drain time: the washer cannot drain correctly.
- E24Bosch dishwasher: The dishwasher is not draining properly; the drain filter is blocked.
- 5CSamsung washer: The washer is not draining at the correct speed, or not at all.
- E22Bosch dishwasher: The dishwasher filter is blocked.
- E25Bosch dishwasher: The drain pump is blocked, or its cover is loose or missing.
Other Whirlpool codes here
- F9 E1Whirlpool washer: Long drain time: the washer cannot drain correctly.
- F5 E2Whirlpool washer: The door is not locking properly.
- F0 E1Whirlpool washer: A load was detected inside during a Clean Washer cycle.
- F0 E2Whirlpool washer: Excessive suds were detected in the wash basket.
- F0 E5Whirlpool washer: Off balance: the load could not be balanced for spin.
- F22Whirlpool washer: A front door lock issue.
- F5 E1Whirlpool washer: A door switch problem.
- F5 E3Whirlpool washer: The door is not locking properly.
That is 8 of the 18 Whirlpool washer codes verified here. The rest, with every display variant in one table, are on Whirlpool washer error codes.
Provenance
| Official page | F21 - Front Load Washer (Whirlpool Product Help) |
|---|---|
| Page URL | https://producthelp.whirlpool.com/Laundry/Washers/Front_Load_Washers/Error_Codes/%22F%22_Error_Codes/F21_-_Front_Load_Washer |
| Manufacturer's last-updated date | 2025-11-19 |
| Read on | 2026-10-17 |
| Owner checks on the page | 3 |
| Service instruction | The manufacturer's own |
| Technician review | Not yet reviewed by an appliance technician. Model-specific pages are not built until that review happens (see /methodology/). |
| Record | /data/codes.json, id whirlpool-washer-f21 |