Frigidaire Washer Reset: Fix Frozen or Glitched Controls

Quick Answer

To reset a Frigidaire washer, unplug it from the wall for one full minute to clear the control board's memory. If the display is just stuck on a cycle, holding the 'Cancel' or 'Start' button for five seconds will usually clear the error and return the machine to standby mode.

Most of the time when a Frigidaire won't start or the display is frozen, it's just the control board throwing a fit after a power hiccup. Not a dead motor. Not a $400 repair. I've cleared probably 70% of these calls with just a power cycle. But if the reset doesn't stick, the door latch is almost always what's holding things up. Ignore it long enough and you'll have wet laundry sitting in there for days.

FrigidaireWasherSeverity: moderateDifficulty: easy75% DIY Success

Time to Fix

5–15 min

Difficulty

easy

Parts Cost

$45 – $300

Tools Needed

Phillips #2 screwdriver, Putty knife or flat-head screwdriver (for top panel clips)

Frigidaire Washer Reset: Fix Frozen or Glitched Controls

Look, a frozen Frigidaire is almost always a free fix. Before you call anyone, try the hard reset. Nine times out of ten it's just the control board getting confused after a power blip, an interrupted cycle, or someone mashing buttons too fast. I've been to houses where the homeowner was ready to toss the machine, and two minutes after I unplugged it they felt pretty silly. Try the basics first.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Logic glitch from power fluctuation45%

Door latch fault25%

Voltage spike damage15%

Main board failure15%

Symptoms You May Notice

You press Start and absolutely nothing happens. No beep, no light change, the machine just sits there ignoring you.
Display is frozen solid on a time readout or an error code and won't budge no matter what button you press.
Washer is stuck in a drain loop, the pump keeps running, but the cycle never advances or ends.
Door latch clicks locked at the start of a cycle and then just never unlocks, even 30 minutes after the cycle should've finished.
Control panel lights are doing some random flash pattern but the motor never kicks on and nothing starts.

Can you reset a Frigidaire washer to clear the NOT-STARTING code?

Unplug the washer completely and wait 60 seconds, no shortcuts. While it's sitting unplugged, hold the Start button for 5 seconds to drain any power left in the board. Plug it back in and wait another 30 seconds before touching anything. Then press Cancel or Start/Pause once to wake it up. Try a short cycle like Rinse and Spin first to confirm it's working before you throw a full load in.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriverPutty knife or flat-head screwdriver (for top panel clips)Multimeter (for door latch and board testing)Needle-nose pliers (for harness connectors)

Service / Diagnostic Mode

Rotate the cycle selector knob to the 12 o'clock position. Press and hold the 'Start' button and the button immediately to its left simultaneously. While holding them, rotate the cycle knob one click clockwise. The lights will begin to flash in sequence, indicating you are in diagnostic mode.

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Did the fix not work?

If the problem comes back after following these steps, a component has permanently failed and needs replacement. Check the specific error code your washer is showing:

E11 Error →

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range500–1500 ohms

ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name	OEM Number	Estimated Price
Door Lock Switch Assembly131763256 · $45–$85	131763256	$45 – $85
Main Control Board5304512134 · $150–$300	5304512134	$150 – $300

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reset my Frigidaire washer?

Pull the plug from the wall and wait at least 5-10 minutes, that's the most reliable reset there is. While it's unplugged, hold Start for 5 seconds to drain the board faster. Plug it back in, wait 30 more seconds, and try a short cycle. You can also hold Cancel for 5 seconds while it's plugged in to clear a specific stuck cycle without doing the full power cycle. I'd try the button method first since it's faster, then fall back to the full unplug if that doesn't work.

Why is my Frigidaire washer display frozen?

Ninety percent of the time it's a communication hiccup between the UI board and the main control board, usually after a power blip or an interrupted cycle. Do the hard reset first, unplug for 10 minutes. If the display comes back but freezes again after a few cycles, that points toward a failing control board or a loose wiring harness connector. Check that the harness plugs are seated fully before you go spending money on parts. A loose connector is an easy fix that looks exactly like a dead board.

Does Frigidaire have a reset button?

Nope, there's no dedicated reset button on any Frigidaire washer I've worked on. The Cancel button and the Start/Pause button both act as soft resets when you hold them for 5 seconds. For a full system reset you've got to pull the power. Some older models had a cycle selector knob sequence to enter test mode, but that's different from a reset and won't clear a control board glitch.

How do I clear the Loc or CL code on a Frigidaire?

That's the Control Lock feature and it's not a fault code at all. The machine is just in child lock mode. Hold the Options button and the Select button at the same time for 3-5 seconds and it'll turn off. If that doesn't work on your specific model, try holding Extra Rinse and Spin Speed together. The exact combo varies a little by model but it's always a two-button hold. Doing a power cycle reset won't clear this one, so don't waste time unplugging it.

My Frigidaire washer won't start after a power outage. What do I do?

Power outages are one of the top causes of frozen control boards on Frigidaires. Do a full 10-minute power cycle first. If the machine starts but throws an error code, look that specific code up because the outage might have tripped a safety sensor somewhere. If there's no display at all after plugging back in, check your circuit breaker and make sure the outlet is actually live. I've showed up to calls where the washer was 'broken' and all it needed was the breaker reset.

How long does a Frigidaire washer reset actually take?

The reset itself is fast but the waiting is what gets people. You need 5-10 minutes of the machine fully unplugged for the capacitors to drain completely. Then 30 seconds after you plug it back in before you try anything. Total time is maybe 12-15 minutes start to finish. If it's not working after one good attempt, doing it a second time usually doesn't help. That means something's actually broken and you're past reset territory at that point.

Related Frigidaire Washer Error Codes

Code: E11Frigidaire Washer E11 Error Code

Models Known to Experience NOT-STARTING Errors

This repair applies to most Frigidaire washers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

FFTW4120SW, FFLE3900UW, FFFW5000QW, FAGM2944RI, FAQG7017LW, FAFS4473LW, FFTW1001PW, FFFW5100VW

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on May 20, 2024