Written by
Tessa Brandt Appliance Care EditorPublished October 29, 2026
VERIFIED
Error codeF21
ApplianceWasher
Water that fails to leave a front-load Maytag washer is what F21 is about. Maytag’s wording is brief: F21 indicates a drain problem. Only a couple of checks are listed.
What to check
Follow the drain hose and see whether it is kinked.
Ask whether the hose might be clogged.
Reset the control by unplugging the washer for 5 minutes and plugging it in afterwards. Maytag says this can sometimes solve the problem.
When the hose is clear, the reset is done and F21 returns, arrange a technician visit.
Other front-load messages
F20: the reverse situation, with water not coming in.
Drain trouble? Maytag washer service in San Francisco
We schedule Maytag washer repair visits throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area. Call (415) 649-2156, mention F21, and let us know what you found on the hose and that the power reset has been tried, together with your model number.
Model compatibility: Maytag reuses codes across series and model years, so F21 may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
Plain language
What this code means
F21 on a front-load Maytag washer indicates a drain problem.
Important safety warning. Do not attempt repairs involving electrical components, gas, water lines, refrigerant or sealed systems. Unplug the appliance if it is safe to reach the outlet, and leave internal diagnostics to a qualified technician.
Seeing this code on your Maytag appliance?
Book a specialist visit for a clear estimate and approval before any repair.
A front-load Maytag washer uses F3 E2 for a pressure system fault, whereas top-load models may be showing hot and cold hoses installed the wrong way round.
You submit a request with your appliance model and symptom, we confirm an appointment window, and a technician performs an on-site diagnosis. You then receive a clear estimate and decide whether to proceed before any repair begins.
Yes. We provide an upfront estimate after diagnosis. No parts are ordered or installed until you approve the work, so there are no surprise charges.
Replacement parts are selected for the exact model and confirmed with you before ordering or installation.
Service areas are listed on the Locations page. Contact us with your ZIP code to confirm current coverage for your address.
Ready to get your Maytag appliance working again?
Book a repair online or call us — clear estimates and approval before any repair work begins.
