Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining? Filter, Reset and i20 Fixes
Frigidaire dishwasher not draining: match what you see
| What you notice | Most likely cause | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Dirty water sitting over the filter | Clogged glass trap, fine filter or coarse filter | Clean the filters |
| Brand-new dishwasher or new disposer never drains | Knockout plug still in the disposer, or hose installed wrong | Knockout plug, hose |
| Stopped draining after the dishwasher was moved or cleaned behind | Kinked drain hose | Straighten the hose |
| Water spills from the air gap on the sink | Clogged air gap | Clean the air gap |
| Cycle stopped mid-way with water in the tub | Cycle paused or interrupted | Cancel and restart |
| i20 on the display | Not draining properly | i20 |
| i40 on the display | Clogged filter or sump | i40 |
⚠️ Caution: disconnect power and water first
Switch off the dishwasher’s circuit breaker (many are hardwired rather than plugged in) before you reach into the sump, remove the toe-kick panel or disconnect the drain hose. Never put your hand into the garbage disposer, never pour drain cleaner into the dishwasher, and never bypass the door switch or float switch. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, call a qualified appliance technician.
1. Clean the glass trap and filters
This is Frigidaire’s first fix and the one that solves most drain complaints. Frigidaire dishwashers have a two-part filter at the bottom of the tub:
- Remove the bottom rack.
- Take out the Cylinder Fine Filter: “Rotate it counterclockwise,” then “Lift it out and empty the content.”
- “Take out the Cylinder Fine Filter and remove the Coarse Filter from the dishwasher tub bottom.”
- Rinse both under running water. Frigidaire notes “It may be necessary to use a sponge or bottle brush to remove excess food residue.”
- Refit the coarse filter, then turn the cylinder filter back in until it locks.
Frigidaire’s support pages also call this filter assembly the “glass trap”; the instruction is the same: remove it and rinse it with warm water.
2. Remove the disposer knockout plug
If your dishwasher drains into a garbage disposer, Frigidaire says to “Verify the knockout plug has been removed to allow proper drainage.” New disposers ship with a plug in the dishwasher inlet. If the dishwasher or the disposer is new and it has never drained, this is almost certainly why. Knock the plug into the disposer with the power off, then remove it from the grinding chamber with tongs.
3. Check the drain hose
- Kinks: Frigidaire: “Try to unkink and realign the drain hose and start a new cycle for the unit to drain and reset.” Hoses kink most often after the dishwasher has been pulled out and pushed back.
- Height: Frigidaire says to keep the drain hose “at a min. height of 32” from the floor” (a high loop under the counter), and to “ensure that the drain hose is fed down to the drain location and not up.”
- Blockage: if the hose is clear of kinks but water still won’t move, the hose may be clogged where it connects under the sink. With the breaker off and a towel and bowl ready, disconnect it at the sink end and flush it.
4. Clean the air gap
If there’s an air gap on your sink (a small cap beside the faucet), lift off the cover and clean out the debris. Frigidaire says to “check to make sure it is clean so the dishwasher will drain properly,” and points out that the air gap “is not part of your dishwasher and is not covered by warranty.”
5. Reset the cycle and drain it
If the dishwasher stopped mid-cycle with water in the tub, Frigidaire’s steps are:
- “Press and hold the Cancel button for 5–10 seconds.”
- “Start a new cycle after resetting.” The dishwasher drains at the start of the new cycle.
Other resets Frigidaire lists: turning the power off at the breaker, or “Unplugging the dishwasher for 3 minutes.”
6. Frigidaire i20 and i40 codes
- i20: “Error Code i20 indicates that the dishwasher is not draining properly.” Check the filters, the disposer plug and the hose (at least 32 inches high), then reset by holding Cancel, using the breaker, or unplugging it for 3 minutes.
- i40: “Error code i40 indicates a clogged filter or sump.” Frigidaire: “try cleaning out the glass trap and re-run the unit.”
7. Still not draining: drain pump and check valve
If the filters, disposer, hose and air gap are all clear and it still holds water, the drain pump, the check valve (a flap that stops dirty water flowing back) or the control has likely failed. These are under the tub behind the toe-kick panel next to wiring, so book a technician. Frigidaire’s advice at this point: “If the unit continues to have trouble draining or starting, please contact our customer support center for assistance.”
What Frigidaire dishwasher drain repairs usually cost
| Repair | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Drainage or clog repair | $100 to $250 | Angi (Oct 2026) |
| Drain pump replacement | $150 to $350 | Angi |
| Drain hose replacement | $75 to $130 | Angi |
| Service call | $50 to $80 plus $75 to $125 an hour | Angi |
| Typical dishwasher repair | $175 to $325 | Angi |
Angi’s rule of thumb: repair is often the better choice if the dishwasher is under eight years old and the repair costs less than half the price of a new one.
When to call a technician
Call for service if i20 or i40 keeps returning after you’ve cleaned the filters, if the hose and disposer are clear but water stays in the tub, or if you hear the pump hum without moving water. Have the model and serial number (on the inside edge of the door) and what you’ve tried. Print the checklist.
Frequently asked questions
How do I force my Frigidaire dishwasher to drain?
Press and hold Cancel for 5 to 10 seconds to clear the cycle, then start a new cycle; it drains first.
Where is the filter on a Frigidaire dishwasher?
At the bottom of the tub under the lower rack: a cylinder fine filter that twists out counterclockwise, with a coarse filter underneath. Frigidaire also calls this assembly the glass trap.
What does i20 mean on a Frigidaire dishwasher?
Frigidaire says it “indicates that the dishwasher is not draining properly.” Clean the filters, check the disposer plug and hose, then reset it.
Why won’t my new Frigidaire dishwasher drain?
Most often the knockout plug in the garbage disposer wasn’t removed, or the drain hose is kinked or doesn’t have its 32-inch high loop.
How do I reset my Frigidaire dishwasher?
Hold Cancel for 5 to 10 seconds, or turn off the breaker, or unplug it for 3 minutes.
Does this apply to Frigidaire Gallery and Professional dishwashers?
Yes, the same drain checks apply. Button names and filter designs vary by model, so check your manual.
Sources: Frigidaire: dishwasher not draining · Frigidaire: glass trap and filter guide · Frigidaire: drain hose guide · Frigidaire: error code i20 · Frigidaire: error code i40 · Angi: dishwasher repair cost.
Updated October 22, 2026. Written and edited by Jordan Hale. Steps checked against Frigidaire’s owner support articles; no hands-on test is claimed. Buttons and filters vary by model, so follow your owner’s manual.
