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Frigidaire Washing Machine Error Code E42

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: July 19, 2026
⚠ Medium Severity 🔧🔧 Moderate DIY

Door will not unlock at the end of the cycle

The most common cause of the E42 error on a Frigidaire washing machine is water not fully drained, keeping the door locked (~40% of cases); start with: confirm the tub is empty.

💰 DIY cost: $0–$100 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $150–$300 Save $150+ by doing it yourself
Frigidaire Washing Machine error code E42 on the display panel
How the E42 code appears on a Frigidaire washing machine display

What Does Error Code E42 Mean on a Frigidaire Washing Machine?

Door will not unlock at the end of the cycle.

E42 fires when the control commands the door lock to release at cycle end but never sees the latch report an unlocked state within the allotted time. Safety logic also holds the lock while water remains in the tub, so a failed or incomplete drain will trigger it even with a healthy latch. This distinguishes E42 from drain-specific faults like E41/E47, which flag the drain circuit itself, and from E45, which points more directly at the lock switch signal.

Models affected: Front-load Frigidaire washers with an electronic door lock (PTC/solenoid latch), broadly across the affinity-style and later platforms
What owners report: Owners commonly report this appearing at the very end of a wash with the door stubbornly shut. It's often a false alarm from a bit of leftover water, and running a Drain/Spin followed by a two-minute unplug frequently pops the door open; a repeat offender usually points to the lock assembly.

What Causes Error Code E42?

Here are the most common causes in order of frequency. Start with the most likely cause before moving to the next:

  1. 1
    Water not fully drained, keeping the door locked 40% of cases
  2. 2
    Door lock mechanism sticking / not releasing 30% of cases
  3. 3
    Clogged drain filter or weak drain pump 20% of cases
  4. 4
    Control board not reading the lock switch correctly 10% of cases

How to Fix Frigidaire Washing Machine Error Code E42

🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Est. time: 30–60 min
⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.
  1. 1

    Confirm the tub is empty

    Run Drain/Spin to force a drain; the door stays locked while water remains.

  2. 2

    Power reset

    Press Cancel, unplug for 2 minutes, restore power, and wait 30–60 seconds for the door to release.

  3. 3

    Clean the drain filter

    Clear the coin trap/drain filter if drainage is weak.

    ⚠️ Place towels down; water will spill out.
  4. 4

    Replace the door lock assembly

    If the tub is empty and reset fails, the lock is sticking.

    🔩 Frigidaire door lock assembly ($40–$100)

How to Reset Error Code E42

Drain the tub, press Cancel, then unplug 2 minutes; the door should release on power-up.

Note: If the error returns after resetting, the underlying issue has not been resolved. Work through the fix steps above.

Symptom guide: Washer won't start →

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When to Call a Professional

If the tub is empty and a reset doesn't release the door, replace the door lock assembly.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150–$300

Related Error Codes

E41
Door open — lid or door not properly closed
⚠ Medium Severity
E45
Door lock control board failure
⚠ Medium Severity
E47
Door lock PTC circuit reads open during spin
⚠ Medium Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code E42 appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows E42 →

Electrolux logo
Electrolux Washing Machine E42
Door lock device failure — door will not lock

Find Replacement Parts

Use these links to find the exact replacement parts for your Frigidaire Washing Machine:

🔩
Search PartSelect
Frigidaire Washing Machine repair parts
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Step-by-step video guides

External links — ApplianceErrors.com is not affiliated with these retailers.

More Frigidaire Washing Machine Error Codes

E21 Drain time exceeded — water not draining E11 Fill time exceeded — water not filling E13 Water leak in tub or air leak in the pressure-sensor air bell E23 Drain pump relay failure on the control board E43 Control board communications fault E44 Control board communications fault

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my Frigidaire Washing Machine when error E42 appears? +
You often can for a cycle or two, but the door issue behind E42 will keep interrupting normal operation until it is fixed. Plan the repair rather than ignoring the code.
What most commonly causes E42 on a Frigidaire Washing Machine? +
Across reported Frigidaire washing machine repairs, the most frequent is water not fully drained, keeping the door locked (40% of cases), door lock mechanism sticking / not releasing (30%), then clogged drain filter or weak drain pump (20%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
E42 keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored E42 fault; if it returns, the door problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — confirm the tub is empty, then power reset — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a moderate job — a multimeter and some disassembly are usually involved.
How much does it cost to fix Frigidaire Washing Machine error E42? +
A DIY repair typically runs $0–$100 in parts, versus $150–$300 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $150. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.
Which Frigidaire Washing Machine models show error E42? +
E42 is documented on Front-load Frigidaire washers with an electronic door lock (PTC/solenoid latch), broadly across the affinity-style and later platforms. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

Content verified against manufacturer service documentation. Last verified: July 19, 2026.

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