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Error code reference

Frigidaire Dishwasher Error Codes: What They Mean and What to Do

When your Frigidaire dishwasher shows a code, it is pointing at the part of the cycle that failed. This page lists the 12 codes we could confirm in Frigidaire's own owner's manuals and support articles: what each one means, the checks that are safe to do yourself, and the point where a technician should take over.

Compiled by the Appliance Surgeon team from Frigidaire documentation · Last checked

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At a glance

Frigidaire dishwasher codes and what to do

Frigidaire and Frigidaire Gallery/Professional dishwashers with a numeric display show codes such as i20, i40, PF and Cd. Models without a display signal problems with flashing indicator lights instead.

Codes appear in the time display; some are status messages, not faults. Frigidaire's documented reset is pressing Start/Cancel, or cutting power at the breaker (or unplugging) for a few minutes.

CodeMeaningWhat to do
i20Dishwasher did not drain completelyCheck, then call if it returns
i40Filter or sump clogged with food soilUsually a quick fix
PFPower was lost or interruptedUsually a quick fix
CdDoor not fully closed and latchedUsually a quick fix
HdNormal pause while the dishwasher heats waterUsually a quick fix
LOCDoor is lockedUsually a quick fix
ErDishwasher control detected a malfunctionNeeds a technician
01-24Delay Start is set; hours left before startingUsually a quick fix
PRESS STARTInstruction message, not a faultUsually a quick fix
Hi-Temp Wash + Heat Dry lights flashingPower failure (models without numeric display)Usually a quick fix
Cycle, Option and Washing lights flashingDoor not closed when Start/Cancel was pressedUsually a quick fix
Drains, then status lights flashShorted keypad detectedNeeds a technician

Safety first. Switch the appliance off at its power button and unplug it or turn off the breaker before you clean a filter or check a hose. If you smell gas, leave the home and call your gas utility from outside. If there is a burning smell, smoke, sparking or water near wiring, stop using it and keep it off until it has been checked.

Code by code

What each Frigidaire dishwasher code means

i20: Dishwasher did not drain completely

Check, then call if it returns

Common causes

  • Kinked or blocked drain hose
  • Clogged filter or glass trap
  • Disposer knockout plug not removed on new install
  • Drain hose loop too low

What you can safely check

  • Clean the filter and glass trap of food soil
  • Check the drain hose under the sink for kinks or blockage
  • New install on a disposer? Ask the installer to confirm the knockout plug was removed
  • Reset: hold Cancel, or switch off the breaker for 3 minutes

Call a technician if: Water stays in the tub after cleaning the filter and resetting

Source: [1], [2]

i40: Filter or sump clogged with food soil

Usually a quick fix

Common causes

  • Food soil built up in the sump or glass trap

What you can safely check

  • Remove and clean the filter and glass trap as the manual shows
  • Run the cycle again

Call a technician if: Code returns after a thorough filter cleaning

Source: [1], [3]

PF: Power was lost or interrupted

Usually a quick fix

Common causes

  • Power outage
  • First power-up after installation

What you can safely check

  • Press Start/Cancel to clear the code
  • Start a new cycle

Call a technician if: PF keeps returning without any power interruption

Source: [1], [4], [5]

Cd: Door not fully closed and latched

Usually a quick fix

Also shown as or same meaning as: CL

Common causes

  • Door not pushed fully shut
  • Item blocking the door

What you can safely check

  • Check nothing sticks out of the racks, then close and latch the door

Call a technician if: Door will not latch or the code stays on

Source: [1], [5], [6]

Hd: Normal pause while the dishwasher heats water

Usually a quick fix

Also shown as or same meaning as: HO

Common causes

  • Cool incoming water needs heating
  • Selected high-temperature option

What you can safely check

  • No action needed; the cycle resumes when water reaches temperature
  • Expect longer delays when the incoming water is cold

Call a technician if: Cycle never moves past the heating delay

Source: [1], [7]

LOC: Door is locked

Usually a quick fix

Common causes

  • Normal lock indication

What you can safely check

  • No action needed; this is a status message

Call a technician if: Door stays locked after the cycle ends and a reset

Source: [1]

Er: Dishwasher control detected a malfunction

Needs a technician

Also shown as or same meaning as: CE

Common causes

  • Internal fault detected by the control

What you can safely check

  • Press Start/Cancel, or switch off the breaker for a few minutes, then retry

Call a technician if: Er or CE reappears; book service

Source: [5]

01-24: Delay Start is set; hours left before starting

Usually a quick fix

Also shown as or same meaning as: 1H-24H

Common causes

  • Delay Start option selected

What you can safely check

  • Press Cancel to start immediately, or wait for the countdown

Call a technician if: Not a fault

Source: [1], [5]

PRESS START: Instruction message, not a fault

Usually a quick fix

Common causes

  • Door not closed soon after pressing Start

What you can safely check

  • Press Start, then close the door within about 5 seconds

Call a technician if: Not a fault

Source: [1]

Hi-Temp Wash + Heat Dry lights flashing: Power failure (models without numeric display)

Usually a quick fix

Applies to: Models with indicator lights only

Common causes

  • Power outage or interruption

What you can safely check

  • Press Start/Cancel to stop the flashing
  • Restart the cycle

Call a technician if: Flashing returns without a power interruption

Source: [5], [8]

Cycle, Option and Washing lights flashing: Door not closed when Start/Cancel was pressed

Usually a quick fix

Applies to: Models with indicator lights only

Common causes

  • Door not latched

What you can safely check

  • Close the door firmly; the flashing stops and the cycle starts

Call a technician if: Lights keep flashing with the door latched

Source: [8]

Drains, then status lights flash: Shorted keypad detected

Needs a technician

Applies to: Models with indicator lights only

Common causes

  • Keypad fault

What you can safely check

  • Switch off power at the breaker for 5 minutes, then restore

Call a technician if: Pattern returns; keypad may need replacement

Source: [8]

Still showing the code?

When to call a technician

If a code comes back after the safe checks, or the table says it needs a technician, the fault is usually a sensor, valve, pump, motor or control board, and diagnosing it means opening the dishwasher. Our technicians repair Frigidaire appliances across Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland, seven days a week until 10 PM. Tell us the code when you book and we bring the parts that code usually points to.

Book Frigidaire dishwasher repair $75 diagnostic, credited toward the repair.

Sources

Where these meanings come from

Every code on this page was checked against Frigidaire's own documentation: owner's manuals, use and care guides, support articles or Frigidaire technical sheets. Codes we could only find on third-party sites are left out. Meanings are paraphrased; your model's manual is the final word.

  1. Dishwasher Error Codes and Alarms Guide — Frigidaire (Electrolux Group). owner.frigidaire.com
  2. Dishwasher Error Code i20 – Unit did not drain properly — Frigidaire (Electrolux Group). owner.frigidaire.com
  3. Dishwasher Error Code i40 – Clogged filter or sump — Frigidaire (Electrolux Group). owner.frigidaire.com
  4. Dishwasher Error Code PF – Loss of Power — Frigidaire (Electrolux Group). owner.frigidaire.com
  5. Frigidaire Gallery FGHD2433KF / Professional FPHD2491KF Dishwasher Use & Care Manual (status display, p. 5 and 8) – manufacturer document hosted on ManualsLib — Frigidaire (Electrolux Group). www.manualslib.com
  6. Dishwasher Error Code CL or Cd – Door is open — Frigidaire (Electrolux Group). owner.frigidaire.com
  7. Dishwasher Error Code Hd or HO – Heat delay or heater on — Frigidaire (Electrolux Group). owner.frigidaire.com
  8. Dishwashers Flashing Lights — Frigidaire (Electrolux Group). owner.frigidaire.com

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