How To Reset Frigidaire Dishwasher

Frigidaire dishwashers are among the best you can buy, offering all the latest options, a great design, and top-notch reliability. I’ve had mine for over 10 years without any serious issues or maintenance other than the need for a rest every now and then. There are various reasons your Frigidaire dishwasher may need a reset, such as a power outage or a problem with the control panel. Luckily, resetting the appliance is very easy to do and only take a minute or two.

To reset a Frigidaire dishwasher, do the following:

Turn on the dishwasher.
Press and hold the cancel button for 5 seconds.
Wait for 5 to 10 minutes.
Press and hold the start button for 2 to 3 seconds.

You can also power cycle your dishwasher to reset it; here’s how:

Turn off the dishwasher and unplug it or turn off the breaker.
Wait 60 seconds for residual electricity to drain out of the appliance.
Plug the dishwasher back in or flip the breaker on.
Turn the dishwasher on.
Run a test cycle to see if the issue is fixed.

Resetting your Frigidaire dishwasher can help resolve a variety of problems and will erase error codes, but it won’t fix mechanical issues or repair broken parts. But it’s worth trying before you resort to more expensive repairs and won’t damage the appliance.

In this guide, I’ll explain more about how to reset a Frigidaire dishwasher and how to interpret the most common error codes.

Why is my Frigidaire Dishwasher not Working?

Frigidaire dishwashers are very reliable, but they can still suffer from a variety of problems. Usually, these are software-related and caused by its memory cache, a power failure or surge, or a faulty door latch.

Let’s take a look at the most common reasons why your dishwasher may not be working:

Overloaded Memory Cache: If your dishwasher stops mid-cycle, it may have an overloaded memory cache. Resetting or putting it in diagnostic mode can help clear its memory and get it working again.
Power Failure: After a power outage, the dishwasher might not resume its previous cycle but go into standby mode instead. A reset will reboot its software back to its original condition before the failure.
Faulty Door Latch: The dishwasher won’t start a cycle if the door latch isn’t engaged properly to prevent water leakage. A reset can help clear the error code, but you also need to inspect the latch to make sure it closes correctly.

Addressing these common issues can help get your Frigidaire dishwasher back to working order efficiently. However, a reset won’t fix hardware issues. If your error code corresponds to a part failure, you’ll need to both reset the appliance and fix or replace the part.

Should You Reset Your Frigidaire Dishwasher?

Resetting your dishwasher is not required to keep it working properly. However, there are times when your dishwasher may not be working correctly, e.g., not responding to button presses, stopping mid-cycle, inadequate drying, etc., and a reset may help. I usually perform a reset before resorting to more expensive repairs or opening the machine to inspect its hardware.

A reset is a great way to troubleshoot and diagnose problems with your appliance. After a reset, all error codes will be erased.

You can then run a test cycle to see if the error codes come back. If the same error codes come back multiple times, you know there’s an issue with the dishwasher, and the error codes are not being sent by mistake, which is fairly common with appliances.

A reset clears error codes.
It helps troubleshoot and diagnose problems with the dishwasher.
Can fix software-related problems.
Clears the memory cache.
Reboots system software.
A reset can be performed before more expensive repairs.

Before opening the dishwasher and inspecting its internal components, try a reset. Although it’s not a universal fix for all potential issues, it can address many memory and software-related problems, which can cause malfunctions.

How To Reset a Frigidaire Dishwasher

There’s a wide variety of Frigidaire dishwashers on the market and in people’s homes, so there’s no single reset method that works for all models. However, the method I’ve outlined below or a power cycle, works for most models.

The best way to figure out how to reset your Frigidaire dishwasher model is by reading the user manual. If there are special instructions for your model, that’s where you’ll find them.

Step 1. Turn On The Dishwasher

In order to reset your dishwasher, it needs to be turned on. Once your dishwasher is on, you can proceed to the next step. If it’s off, turn it on via the control panel before proceeding.

If your dishwasher is stuck on a particular mode, a power cycle is a better way to reset it. Skip to the next section, where I explain how to do it.

Step 2. Press & Hold The Cancel Button For 5 Seconds

With the dishwasher on, press and hold the cancel button on the control panel for at least 5 seconds. This will quickly shut off your dishwasher without disconnecting the power. You’ll know you’ve done it properly when the control board’s lights turn off.

Remember, lingering lights after opening the door might just be the “clean” indicator light.

Step 3. Wait 5-10 Minutes

Don’t turn the dishwasher back on right away. Your dishwasher needs some time to clear its memory cache. Wait 5-10 minutes before turning the dishwasher back on.

Step 4. Press & Hole The Start Button For 2-3 Seconds

Press the “start” button for 1-2 seconds until the control panel lights turn on. Then, input whatever washing mode and add-ons you want before hitting the start button again and letting the wash cycle begin.

Once you’ve reset your dishwasher, its error codes should be erased, the cache should be cleared, and the system software should reboot. At this point, any software-related issues you were having should be fixed, and the error codes should be gone.

If this reset method doesn’t work, try a power cycle instead. I’ll explain how in the next section.

How To Power Cycle a Frigidaire Dishwasher

A power cycle is a great way to reset just about any type of appliance, which includes your dishwasher. It’s also commonly known as a hard reset or a factory reset.

If the reset method didn’t work or your dishwasher is stuck in a cycle and won’t respond, hard resetting your Frigidaire dishwasher may help.

Power cycling a dishwasher is the process of unplugging the machine and waiting for a few minutes to allow any residual electricity to drain out. You then plug it back in, turn it on, and run a test cycle.

Here’s how to do it step by step:

Turn off the dishwasher.
Unplug it from the outlet or flip the breaker. Tripping the breaker works better for hardwired dishwashers or when plugs are hard to reach.
Wait about 60 seconds for residual power to drain out.
Plug the dishwasher back in or turn the breaker back on.
Turn the appliance on.
Run a test cycle.

A power cycle works when other reset methods don’t because it drains all power from the appliance. This completely clears the dishwasher’s cache, clears error codes, and reboots system memory to its original factory condition.

How To Run a Diagnostic Test on Your Frigidaire Dishwasher

Running a diagnostic test on your Frigidaire dishwasher will help you find problems with its internal components. It’s a good idea to run a test along with a reset to help troubleshoot and fix software and hardware issues. When the test is done, it will show an error code if you have a part or parts that are faulty. You can then look up the code online or contact Frigidaire to find out exactly what your dishwasher needs.

When I repair a dishwasher, I generally start with a reset, a test cycle, and then a diagnostic test. The reason I usually start with a reset is to see if error codes come back after the system cache has been cleared. When I then run the diagnostic test, it’s done with a clear memory and a reboot of the system software.

Here’s how to run a diagnostic test on your dishwasher:

Turn on the dishwasher.
Press and hold the start and cancel buttons simultaneously for 3 to 5 seconds. If you’ve done it right, the control board’s lights will blink.
Press the start button to confirm.
Wait for 10 to 30 minutes or until the control board displays an error message.

The diagnostic test will reveal specific error codes, helping you pinpoint faulty parts. You can then look up the code and determine exactly what your Frigidaire dishwasher needs.

Frigidaire Dishwasher Quick Error Code Reference Chart

Here’s a list of the most common Frigidaire dishwasher error codes and what you can do to resolve the issue. But there are more codes than these in the system. If you get a code not on my list, contact Frigidaire or look the code up online to see what it means.

PF: At least a 10% power drop. Check the wall receptacle connection and reset the dishwasher.
FL: Water Valve Issue. “FL” indicates an issue with the water valve.
dP: Drain Pump Issue. This error code refers to problems with the drain pump.
HO: Low water temperature or slow heating. Run hot water in the kitchen sink before starting the dishwasher to ensure heated water flows in.
LO: Empty rinse aid dispenser. Refill it to resolve the issue.
CL: Dishwasher door open. Check the latch or microswitch for debris or defects. Consider replacing the entire latch system, including the microswitch.
i20, i40, iFO: Filter assembly and drain line clogged. Clean the filter and remove debris from the drain line. You may need to snake the drain line for thorough cleaning.
i50, i60, and iC0 indicate a system failure.
Other “i” codes (i10, i20, i30, i40, and iF0) relate to leakage and drainage issues.
iCO: Defective control system. Try resetting the dishwasher, and if that fails, replace the control board.
UF: Vent fan not spinning optimally. Manually inspect the vent assembly’s wiring. If wiring is fine, the vent fan motor may be faulty and require replacement.

Understanding Frigidaire Dishwasher Wiring Errors

Frigidaire dishwasher can have wiring issues that will cause problems when you run a cycle. The error code will help you determine if your dishwashers issue has to do with wiring. Run a diagnostic test first and then look the code up online or contact Frigidaire to find out which wire the code refers to.

I do not recommend trying to fix wiring issue with your dishwasher. However, if you try it, make sure to unplug the machine or turn the breaker off to avoid shocks.

Errors UF, ER, CE, and CL relate to wiring issues.
UF: Vent Open
ER: Stuck Key
CE: Close Door
CL: Configuration Error.

Where is the fuse on a Frigidaire Dishwasher?

The fuse on a Frigidaire dishwasher is typically located inside the inner door panel of the appliance. If you thick your dishwasher problem has to do with a blown fuse, remove the inner door panel and inspect the fuse. Remember, fuses are single use only and can’t be reset like a breaker can. If you have a blown fuse, you’ll have to replace it with a new one to get the dishwasher working again.