Drain pump
Common dishwasher and washer water-removal part.
Your Frigidaire washer stopped with E13 on the display — and you might already see water on the floor. E13 means the machine’s leak detection system sensed water where it shouldn’t be. The washer stopped the cycle and drained to prevent more water from leaking. Stop running the machine until you find the source.
What This Error Means
Frigidaire front-load washers have a leak detection system — a float switch or a moisture sensor in the base pan (the plastic tray under the washer tub). When water pools in the base pan, the sensor triggers E13 and the washer stops filling and drains automatically.
E13 only appears on Frigidaire front-load washers with the leak detection feature. Top-load models don’t have this sensor.
Common Causes
- Over-sudsing or wrong detergent type — Using regular HE detergent but too much of it can cause oversudsing. The excess foam can leak past seals and pool in the base pan. Using non-HE detergent in a front-loader will almost always cause this.
- Cracked or loose drain pump housing — The pump connections can loosen or the housing can crack, dripping water into the base pan. This is the most common hard-leak cause.
- Door boot (bellows) seal leak — The big rubber seal around the door can develop tears or get debris caught in it, letting water drip down into the pan.
- Loose hose connection — A hose clamp or fitting at the inlet valve or drain pump has worked loose.
- Cracked tub — The outer drum itself has cracked. Rare, but it happens on older machines.
- Drain pump filter not seated — The filter cap wasn’t tightened fully after cleaning.
Quick Reference
| Code | Meaning | Severity | DIY? |
|---|---|---|---|
| E13 | Water leakage detected in the base pan | High — stop using washer | Yes — check common leak points |
Step-by-Step Fix
-
Stop the washer and unplug it. Safety first. Don’t run the machine again until you find the leak source.
-
Check for visible water on the floor. The leak may be obvious. If there’s a puddle, trace it back to its source.
-
Open the lower access panel (the small kickplate at the bottom front of the washer). Look inside the base pan for standing water. Use a towel or a wet/dry vacuum to remove the water so you can see fresh leaks when you test.
-
Inspect the drain pump area. The pump is behind the lower access panel. Check all hose connections to the pump — they should be tight with no dripping. Look for cracks in the pump housing itself. If you see water dripping from the pump area when the machine runs, the pump or its connections are the problem.
-
Check the door boot seal. Run your hand around the entire rubber bellows seal (check carefully for tears). Also check that the drain hole at the bottom of the bellows (the small hole at 6 o’clock) isn’t clogged with debris — a clog forces water past the seal.
-
Test with a short cycle. Dry the base pan thoroughly, plug the washer back in, and run a short Rinse+Spin cycle without clothes. Watch the base pan through the access panel. If you see fresh water, the leak is active.
-
Check your detergent usage. Front-load washers need HE detergent only. Using regular detergent or using too much HE detergent creates excess suds that foam past seals. Run a Clean Washer cycle with a washing machine cleaner tablet to clear out built-up soap residue.
Parts You May Need
- Frigidaire washer door boot gasket
- Frigidaire washer drain pump assembly
- HE laundry detergent
- Washing machine cleaner tablets
When to Call a Technician
If you’ve found a cracked tub, a leaking pump housing, or a door boot that needs replacement, those are bigger jobs. The door boot replacement in particular is tedious — it requires removing the front panel, opening the spring clamp, and reseating the new gasket. A technician can handle these repairs in 1–2 hours. If the machine is more than 8 years old and the tub is cracked, replacement may be the better option.