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Frigidaire Washing Machine Error Code E5E

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

Communication problem between the main and motor control boards

The most common cause of the E5E error on a Frigidaire washing machine is harness between main board and motor control board faulted (~40% of cases); start with: power cycle.

💰 DIY cost: $120–$300 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $200–$450 Save $80+ by doing it yourself
Frigidaire Washing Machine error code E5E on the display panel
How the E5E code appears on a Frigidaire washing machine display

What Does Error Code E5E Mean on a Frigidaire Washing Machine?

Communication problem between the main and motor control boards.

E5E fires when the main control board cannot maintain reliable data communication with the motor speed-control board, so motor commands for a cycle never get acknowledged. The control monitors the serial link between the two boards; missing or corrupted messages trigger the code. This differs from motor-drive faults like E43/E44, which point to the drive circuit or motor itself, and from E5C, which flags a broader control-communication issue rather than this specific board-to-board link.

Models affected: Frigidaire front-load washers with a separate motor speed-control board and main control board (electronic-control models with inter-board communication)
What owners report: Owners commonly report E5E appearing at the start of a cycle or when the drum should begin spinning, with the machine stalling. A quick unplug-and-reseat of the inter-board harness sometimes clears it, and intermittent cases are often traced to a loose or corroded connector rather than a failed board.

What Causes Error Code E5E?

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

  1. 1
    Harness between main board and motor control board faulted 40% of cases
  2. 2
    Motor speed-control board failed 30% of cases
  3. 3
    Main control board failed 20% of cases
  4. 4
    Connector loose or corroded 10% of cases

How to Fix Frigidaire Washing Machine Error Code E5E

🔧🔧🔧 Advanced DIY Est. time: 1–3 hours
⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.
  1. 1

    Power cycle

    Unplug for 5 minutes and restart.

  2. 2

    Reseat the inter-board harness

    Check the connectors between the main board and motor control board.

    ⚠️ Unplug the washer first.
  3. 3

    Replace the failed board

    If E5E persists, replace the motor control board, then the main board.

    🔩 Frigidaire motor control board ($120–$300)

How to Reset Error Code E5E

Unplug 5 minutes and reseat the board connectors. If E5E returns, a board has failed.

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

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When to Call a Professional

If reseating the harness doesn't clear E5E, replace the motor control board (then the main control board).

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $200–$450

Related Error Codes

E43
Control board communications fault
⚠ High Severity
E44
Control board communications fault
⚠ High Severity
E5C
High temperature on the motor speed-control (inverter) heat sink
⚠ Medium Severity

Find Replacement Parts

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

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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 E41 Door open — lid or door not properly closed E45 Door lock control board failure E13 Water leak in tub or air leak in the pressure-sensor air bell E23 Drain pump relay failure on the control board

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my Frigidaire Washing Machine when error E5E appears? +
It is not advisable. The washing machine may still power on, but running it while E5E is active can worsen the control-board fault or damage related parts. Treat it as a soon-as-possible repair.
What most commonly causes E5E on a Frigidaire Washing Machine? +
Across reported Frigidaire washing machine repairs, the most frequent is harness between main board and motor control board faulted (40% of cases), motor speed-control board failed (30%), then main control board failed (20%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
E5E keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored E5E fault; if it returns, the control-board problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — power cycle, then reseat the inter-board harness — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is an advanced repair involving deeper disassembly or electrical testing.
How much does it cost to fix Frigidaire Washing Machine error E5E? +
A DIY repair typically runs $120–$300 in parts, versus $200–$450 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $80. Expect the work to take 1–3 hours.
Which Frigidaire Washing Machine models show error E5E? +
E5E is documented on Frigidaire front-load washers with a separate motor speed-control board and main control board (electronic-control models with inter-board communication). 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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