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ErrBase

Maytag Washer F21: Drain Pump Clog or Failure

Quick Answer

Maytag F21 means the washer took more than 8 minutes to drain. Start by cleaning the drain pump filter (access from the lower-right front panel). Check the drain hose for kinks. If both are clear, the drain pump motor may be failing - test it for 5-10 ohms with a multimeter.

F21 fires when your washer can't drain within 8 minutes. Seven out of ten times it's a clogged drain pump filter packed with coins, socks, or a bobby pin. But if you've already cleaned the filter and it keeps coming back, check the pressure hose. That little rubber tube clogs with detergent residue and tricks the control board into thinking there's still water in the tub when there isn't. That phantom F21 drives people crazy.

MaytagWasherSeverity: moderateDifficulty: intermediate80% DIY Success
Time to Fix
20–60 min
Difficulty
intermediate
Parts Cost
$45 – $95
Tools Needed
Phillips #2 screwdriver, Flat-head screwdriver

What Does the F21 Code Mean?

OK so here's what's actually happening. The control board runs a timer during the drain phase, and if that 8-minute clock runs out before the pressure switch signals 'tub empty,' it throws F21 and quits. Usually there's a real clog slowing things down. But sometimes the tub actually drained fine and the pressure hose is just full of gunk, sending a false 'still full' signal to the board. That second scenario is sneaky because everything looks broken when it's really just a dirty little tube.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Clogged drain pump filter45%
Kinked or blocked drain hose25%
Jammed pump impeller20%
Failed drain pump motor10%

Symptoms You May Notice

  • Standing water still sitting in the drum at the end of the cycle, sometimes a few inches worth.
  • F21 flashes on the display and the machine stops cold, usually when it's trying to do the final drain before spin.
  • You can hear the pump running and humming during the drain phase but the water level never drops.
  • Door won't unlock at the end of the cycle because the machine thinks it's still holding water.
  • Clothes come out soaking wet and way heavier than normal because the spin cycle got cut short by the drain error.

Can you reset a Maytag washer to clear the F21 code?

After clearing whatever was causing the drain issue, run a Drain and Spin cycle and watch it go all the way through. If it drains completely and F21 doesn't come back, you're good. If it returns right away, go back and check that pressure hose. Sometimes you also need to unplug the machine for 60 seconds to clear the error from the control board's memory before running the test cycle.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriverFlat-head screwdriverDigital multimeterNeedle-nose pliersShallow baking pan or cookie sheetOld towelsBucket

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range5–10 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name
Drain Pump AssemblyW10130913 · $45–$95

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I clean the drain pump filter on a Maytag washer?
Pop off the lower access panel, usually two clips or screws at the bottom. Lay some towels down and get a shallow pan under there before you touch anything. The filter cap unscrews counterclockwise and water's going to come out, so go slow. Once it stops dripping, pull the whole filter out. You'll usually find a coin or two, some lint, maybe a bobby pin. Clean it all out, rinse under the faucet, and screw it back in. Don't overtighten. Whole thing takes about 10 minutes.
Can I replace the drain pump myself?
Yeah, totally doable. With power disconnected and that lower panel off, the pump is right there in front of you. You're dealing with two hose clamps, one wiring connector, and two or three mounting screws. Part W10130913 fits most Maytag front-loaders and runs $45 to $95 online. The whole job takes 30 to 45 minutes if you've never done it before. Honestly the trickiest part is getting the hose clamps back on in a tight space, so needle-nose pliers help a lot.
What does a bad drain pump sound like?
A failing pump usually makes one of two sounds. A loud buzzing or humming during the drain phase means the motor's running but the impeller is jammed and can't spin. Complete silence during drain means the motor is totally dead. Sometimes you'll also hear a grinding or rattling noise if a coin is stuck in the impeller. You can run a Drain and Spin cycle and put your hand on the pump housing. You should feel it vibrating. No vibration, no sound, water not moving: that pump's probably shot.
Why does F21 keep coming back after I cleaned the filter?
Recurring F21 after cleaning the filter is almost always the pressure hose. It's a small rubber tube, about the diameter of your pinky finger, running from the outer tub up to the pressure switch near the top of the machine. Detergent residue builds up inside over time and eventually blocks it enough to send false readings, making the board think there's still water when there isn't. Disconnect it at the pressure switch end and blow through it. If there's any resistance, flush it with warm water. Five-minute fix that people miss all the time.
How long can I ignore F21 before it causes real damage?
Don't ignore it. The pump motor runs hard every time it tries and fails to drain, which generates heat and kills it faster. Run it through a few F21 cycles and you might turn a $15 filter cleaning into a $95 pump replacement. Also, standing water left in the drum is a mold situation. That rubber door gasket on front-loaders is already prone to mildew and sitting water makes it way worse. Fix it now, even if the machine is still kind of working.

Same Fix on Other Brands

Whirlpool washerF21: Whirlpool Washer F21: Drain Pump Fault

Same Fix Works on These Brands

Maytag shares the same hardware platform with these brands. The diagnosis and repair steps are identical.

Maytag washerAll Maytag Washer Error Codes: Complete Lookup GuideMaytag washerHow to Reset a Maytag Washer (3 Methods That Work)Maytag washerMaytag Washer Troubleshooting: Fix 12 Common ProblemsMaytag washerMaytag F03 E01: Pressure Switch or Water Level FaultMaytag washerMaytag F0 E3 Error: Pressure Switch MalfunctionMaytag washerMaytag E01 F09: Overflow or Long Fill Error

Models Known to Experience F21 Errors

This repair applies to most Maytag washers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

MVWC415EW, MVWB835DW, MHW5500FW, MHW7000XW, MHW6000XW, MHW8100DC, MHW3505FW, MHW5630HW

MS

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 14, 2026