Frigidaire Dishwasher PF Error Code — What It Means
The PF code stands for power failure. Your Frigidaire dishwasher displays it when it detects a loss of power during operation. This can be a real outage, a momentary voltage dip you didn’t notice, or a tripped breaker. Frigidaire’s official guidance is to press START/CANCEL to clear the code and then start a new cycle.
If PF keeps coming back and you have not experienced any outages, the problem is usually in the supply wiring or inside the control board. The dishwasher is either losing power intermittently or falsely detecting a power event because of a control fault.
Common Causes
- Brief utility outage or flicker A momentary power interruption you may not have noticed causes the dishwasher to log PF and pause the cycle.
- Tripped or weak breaker The circuit breaker may have tripped or the connection at the breaker itself may be loose, causing an intermittent power drop.
- Loose or damaged junction-box wiring Connections inside the dishwasher’s junction box can work loose over time, creating intermittent contact and triggering PF.
- Voltage sag from shared circuit Another heavy appliance on the same circuit can pull voltage down enough that the dishwasher interprets it as a power failure.
- Control board or power module fault If incoming power is stable and wiring is sound, the control board itself may be failing and falsely reporting a power event.
- Loose fuse or corroded fuse holder on board Field reports describe small glass fuses or their clips on the control board losing contact and causing recurring PF codes.
Step-by-Step Fix
- Press START/CANCEL to clear the PF code. Frigidaire states this will cancel the error and allow you to start a new cycle.
- Check for recent outages. Confirm whether your home lost power or had a flicker around the time the code appeared.
- Inspect the dishwasher breaker. Open your panel and verify the breaker is fully seated and has not tripped. Flip it off and back on to reset, then retest the dishwasher.
- Turn off power at the breaker and check the junction box. Remove the dishwasher’s access panel to reach the wiring compartment. Look for loose wire nuts, burned conductors, or corrosion. Tighten all connections.
- Measure incoming voltage if PF repeats. At the dishwasher supply, you should see roughly 110 to 120 V AC. A significantly lower reading points to a supply problem upstream of the appliance.
- Test the dishwasher through a full cycle after repairs. If PF returns with good power and tight connections, the control board is the most likely remaining suspect.
- Replace the control board if all external power checks pass and PF continues to appear. The board’s internal power monitoring circuit is failing.
Parts Often Needed
| Part | Notes |
|---|---|
| Electronic control board | Amazon | Required when PF recurs with verified good power and wiring. Match your model number. |
| Power supply harness or junction-box wire kit | Amazon | Use if supply wiring is heat-damaged, corroded, or conductors are frayed. |
| Circuit breaker | Amazon | Replace if the existing breaker is weak, loose, or trips intermittently under normal load. |
When to Call a Pro
Call a technician if PF keeps returning after you have reset the breaker and checked for obvious loose connections. Diagnosing intermittent voltage faults and verifying control-board operation require a multimeter and familiarity with live AC circuits. If you are not comfortable working inside your electrical panel or testing line voltage at the appliance junction box, a service call is the safer choice. Technicians will measure supply voltage under load, inspect all power connections for heat or corrosion, and determine whether the control board needs replacement or the fault lies upstream in your home wiring.