Speed Queen Topload Washer Error Code E dr: Drain Error (Quantum)
E dr on a Quantum topload washer means water was still sensed when the wash spin or final spin began, or the maximum drain time ran out. Check the drain hose for kinks and standpipe depth, then run one cycle. If it returns, call us.
Medium: the cycle stops with water left in the tub until the drain problem is cleared.
- Code
- E dr
- Maker
- Speed Queen
- Equipment
- Washers
- Applies to
- Quantum topload (TLW13C family) electronic control; MDC topload control
What does Speed Queen error code E dr mean?
Before the washer spins, it expects the tub to be empty. The Quantum control reads the water level through a pressure sensor, and during a drain step it waits for that reading to fall to empty. If water is still sensed when the wash spin or final spin is due to begin, or if the maximum drain time runs out first, the control stops the cycle and shows E dr. Spinning a tub full of water would overload the drive, so the control refuses to continue. The result is a load sitting in standing water with the lid locked. The code tells you that water is not leaving at the expected rate, not why. A kinked hose, a standpipe pushed too deep, a drain pump that is not running, lint or small items in the pump, or a pressure sensor that misreads the level can all produce it. The older MDC topload control, still in service across many laundries, uses the same wording as E:dr.
Affected models and control systems
This page covers Quantum topload washers in the TLW13C family and the older MDC topload control, where the code reads E:dr. Washer-extractors use a separate E dr page.
Code numbers and their meaning can change between control generations. We match the full model and control before acting on a code.
What you may notice
- Water stays in the tub after the cycle stops
- The lid stays locked
- The load is soaking wet and has not spun
- The drain pump hums or stays silent
Possible causes
Listed in Speed Queen's documentation
- Drain hose for kinks and standpipe height
- Drain pump and its power
- Pressure sensor reading the water level
- Lint or small items in the pump
Other likely causes — what usually sits behind error code E dr on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- A floor drain or house line that backs up when several washers drain together
- A sock or coin lodged at the pump inlet that blocks flow without making noise
Safe checks before calling for service
- Confirm the drain hose has no kink and is not pushed too far down the standpipe.
- Leave the lid down until its lock lets go.
- Try one cycle after checking the hose.
- If E dr returns, note how much water was left in the tub and whether the pump made any sound, and call us.
How a technician diagnoses error code E dr
- Read the code and ask how much water remains in the tub.
- Check the drain hose, standpipe and floor drain for restrictions.
- Confirm the drain pump receives power on a drain step and that it turns freely.
- Inspect the pump for lint, socks and coins, and check the pressure sensor tubing for kinks or water.
- Test the pressure sensor reading against a known water level before replacing the sensor or the pump.
- The drain pump circuit runs on line voltage behind the cabinet panel, and testing it live is work for a trained technician.
- A tub full of water is heavy and slippery, and opening the pump housing without draining it properly risks a flood and a fall.
- Separating a weak pump from a bad pressure sensor takes meter and manometer readings.
How error code E dr differs from similar codes
The same E dr text on a washer-extractor measures a drain timer in minutes, so the controller family decides what to check.
Technical reference
- Document
- Commercial Troubleshooting Topload Washers TLW13C, Part No. 203502R4, March 2024, Error Code Listing (pp. 30-32)
- Edition
- Part No. 203502R4, March 2024
- Models / control
- Quantum topload (TLW13C family) electronic control; MDC topload control
- Section
- Section 3 General Troubleshooting - 20. Error Code Listing, printed pp. 30-32 (PDF pp. 32-34)
- Checked
- October 2026
We use the maker's document to read the code and do not reproduce it. Always confirm the complete model and control before applying these steps.
Related Speed Queen washer error codes
Can I use the washer while E dr is showing?
Not safely. Standing water in the tub means the next cycle can overflow or strain the drive.
Will it clear itself?
The code clears when you restart, but it returns if the drain restriction remains.
Is a slow floor drain enough to cause E dr?
Yes. If the drain line cannot take the pump's flow, the tub empties too slowly and the time runs out.
Need help with Speed Queen error code E dr?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.