Whirlpool · Washing Machine

F21

Long Drain Time or Drain Pump Fault

Severity

High

If your Whirlpool Washing Machine is displaying the error code F21, the control board has detected a fault identified as "Long Drain Time or Drain Pump Fault". Understanding the root cause helps you avoid an unnecessary service call.

Owner's Summary

Your Whirlpool washer is taking more than 8 minutes to drain — the machine counts the time and throws F21 when it takes too long. A clogged filter full of lint and small items causes this in the majority of cases.

Symptoms

Whirlpool washer takes too long to drain, F21 error on display, water in drum

Common Causes

Clogged pump filter or foreign object in pump
Kinked or blocked drain hose
Slow or failing drain pump
Suds lock from too much detergent

How to Fix

1 Clean the pump filter and remove any debris or foreign objects
2 Check drain hose for kinks and proper installation
3 Run a Rinse and Spin cycle to clear suds
4 Replace drain pump if machine still will not drain after cleaning

Tools You'll Need

Pliers Soft Brush Towels / Bucket

Most of these fixes need only basic hand tools. If your repair requires opening electrical housings or testing live components, a multimeter and basic electrical safety knowledge are essential — when in doubt, call a technician.

Technical Explanation

Whirlpool's CCU tracks drain pump run time via an internal timer. If the pressure switch does not open — indicating an empty drum — within 8 minutes of pump activation, the CCU logs F21 and halts the cycle.

Is It Safe to Keep Using?

Fix within a day — mold and mildew develop quickly in a machine with standing water.

Technician's Pro Tip

Excessive suds from using non-HE detergent in an HE machine is a common cause of F21 that gets misdiagnosed as a pump failure. Run a clean cycle with no detergent first to rule this out.

Related Codes

E2 — Samsung Washing Machine

Water Supply Error

High

4E — Samsung Washing Machine

No Water Supply Detected

High

5E — Samsung Washing Machine

Drain Error — Water Not Draining

High

Frequently Asked Questions

What does error code F21 mean on a Whirlpool Washing Machine?

Code F21 on a Whirlpool Washing Machine indicates "Long Drain Time or Drain Pump Fault." In practice, the most common trigger is clogged pump filter or foreign object in pump. Severity is rated high, and typical repair costs range from $0 to $180.

Can I fix F21 myself, or do I need a technician?

Many cases of F21 can be resolved without a technician. The first step to try: clean the pump filter and remove any debris or foreign objects. If that doesn't clear the code, work through the remaining steps in the "How to Fix" section above before assuming a part needs replacing.

Is it safe to keep using my washing machine with code F21 showing?

Fix within a day — mold and mildew develop quickly in a machine with standing water.

How much does it cost to repair F21 on a Whirlpool Washing Machine?

Repair costs for code F21 typically range from $0 to $180. Filter cleaning: $0 DIY; Drain pump: $50–$180 + labor. Costs on the low end usually reflect a DIY fix with no parts required, while the high end reflects a part replacement plus professional labor.

Estimated Repair Cost USD

$0 – $180

Filter cleaning: $0 DIY; Drain pump: $50–$180 + labor