Quick Answer
Frigidaire washer codes explained from Frigidaire's own support articles. E1 is a slow fill, E5 means the washer is not level, and CL is only the control lock.
Most Frigidaire washer error codes point at something outside the machine: the water supply, the drain, the lid, or the floor it stands on. From Frigidaire's own support articles, E1 means water is not entering the washer or the fill is slow, E2 means water takes too long to drain, E3 is the lid open or a lid lock failure, E4 is an out of balance load, and E5 means the washer is not level. F2 is too much soap, and CL is not a fault at all.
Frigidaire washer error codes
| Code | What Frigidaire says it means | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| E1 | Water is not entering the washer, or slow water fill time | Lid, faucets, pressure, inlet hoses and screens |
| E2 | Water takes too long to drain or is not draining properly | Breaker, standpipe height, drain hose |
| E3 | Washer lid open or lid lock failed | Close the lid fully |
| E4 | Washer is out of balance | Redistribute the load |
| E5 | Washer is not level | Adjust the levelling feet |
| F2 | There is too much soap or the wrong type of soap | Switch to HE detergent and use less |
| CL | Lid opened more than 20 seconds with the control lock activated | Turn the control lock off |
Source: Frigidaire's own washer support articles, which publish a separate page for each code. The E codes above are from Frigidaire's top loading washer articles. Codes vary by model, so your use and care manual is the final word for your machine.
E1: the washer will not fill
Frigidaire's checklist for E1 runs in this order, and the first item surprises people:
- Check if the lid is open. A fill code that starts with the lid seems odd until you remember the washer will not begin filling with the lid up.
- Fully open hot and cold faucets. Both, and fully rather than part way.
- Check water supply pressure is sufficient.
- Straighten inlet hoses if kinked.
- Clean the hose filter screens. Frigidaire says to disconnect the hoses and clean the screens, which trap grit and slowly choke the fill.
- Check for water leakage from the tub.
If none of that resolves it, Frigidaire recommends scheduling a service visit.
E2: slow drain, and the 30 day rule
E2 means water takes too long to drain. Frigidaire's steps are the breaker, the standpipe height, closing the lid and pressing Start/Pause, straightening a kinked drain hose, and unclogging a blocked one. It also notes the washer will not spin unless the lid is closed, which is a safety interlock rather than a fault.
The genuinely useful part is what Frigidaire says about new installations. If the unit was installed or moved within the past 30 days, Frigidaire tells you to go back to your installer rather than booking a service call. Only units installed more than 30 days ago are sent to service.
That distinction matters because a drain problem on a newly installed washer is usually an installation issue: a standpipe at the wrong height, a hose pushed too far in, or a drain line that was never cleared. Those are the installer's responsibility, and knowing that can save you paying for a visit.
E3, E4 and E5: the lid, the load and the floor
These three are the most common Frigidaire washer codes and none of them is a broken part.
E3 is the lid open or the lid lock failed. Close the lid firmly and check nothing is draped over the edge holding it ajar.
E4 is an out of balance load. Redistribute the laundry, and avoid washing one heavy item such as a bath mat on its own, because there is nothing to counterweight it.
E5 means the washer is not level, and Frigidaire's fix is to adjust the levelling feet as described in the use and care manual. This one is worth taking seriously rather than ignoring. A washer that rocks will keep throwing balance faults, will walk across the floor during a spin, and will wear its bearings early. Our guide on a washing machine that shakes and walks covers levelling properly.
F2: too much soap
Frigidaire defines F2 as too much soap or the wrong type of soap, and notes that suds often leak out or overflow. The fix is three steps: confirm you are using a detergent made for high efficiency machines, check you are not adding more than needed, and run an empty cycle on Quick Wash to clear the unit.
Two things cause this more than anything else. Using regular detergent in an HE machine, which produces far more foam than the washer is designed to handle, and measuring by eye. Modern concentrated detergents need much less than most people pour. If you have been using the cap as a guide, try half of it.
CL is the control lock, not a fault
CL appears when the lid is opened for more than 20 seconds while the control lock is activated. The machine is working correctly. Frigidaire's fix is to power the unit off and turn the control lock off, following the user manual for your model.
Control locks get switched on by accident constantly, usually while wiping the panel down. If your washer seems unresponsive and shows CL, that is the answer rather than a failed control board.
Getting it fixed
If you are in Fairfield or anywhere in Solano County, California, we can connect you with a local technician who works on Frigidaire washers. Our washer repair page explains how the referral works. If the machine is still under the manufacturer's warranty, contact Frigidaire first.
Frequently asked questions
What does E1 mean on a Frigidaire washer?
Water is not entering the washer, or the fill is slow. Frigidaire's checks start with the lid, then both faucets fully open, water pressure, kinked inlet hoses, and clogged hose filter screens.
My Frigidaire washer shows E2 and it is newly installed. What should I do?
Frigidaire says that if the unit was installed or moved in the past 30 days, go back to your installer rather than scheduling a service visit.
What does E5 mean?
The washer is not level. Frigidaire's fix is to adjust the levelling feet using the instructions in the use and care manual.
How do I clear the F2 code?
F2 is too much soap or the wrong soap. Switch to high efficiency detergent, use less of it, and run an empty Quick Wash cycle to clear the suds.
Is CL an error?
No. CL means the lid was open more than 20 seconds with the control lock on. Power the washer off and turn the control lock off.
Related guides: Frigidaire dishwasher error codes, Frigidaire oven F10, and Haier top loader error codes.
In Fairfield or elsewhere in Solano County, California?
We are a referral service. We connect you with an independent local washer technician and do not perform repairs ourselves. Outside our area? Frigidaire customer support can point you to an authorized service provider near you.