Frigidaire Washer Pauses When Starting

Adjust for Load Size

• A Frigidaire washer will pause before initiating a washing cycle to adjust for load size. You might hear the washer spin clockwise and then counterclockwise before it finally settles. This brief movement occurs when the washtub is balancing the wash load and estimating the water level required for the wash cycle. Once the tub is balanced and the load size is determined, the washer will proceed to the fill cycle.

Control Board Malfunction

• Sometimes a control board malfunction on a Frigidaire washing machine can make the washer to pause indefinitely before finally starting. If your washer has a board with a digital display, press any button to wake the washer. Wait a few seconds and then press “Start” and “Pause Cancel” at the same time to recall the error code. If your washer doesn’t have a digital display, it will reveal an error code by flashing its Door, Lock, Wash, Rinse and Final Spin indicator lights. Count the number of times they flash for the first error code number. Count the number of flashes for the Start indicator to get the second error code number. In certain cases, the washer will automatically fix the problem and resume the wash cycle. E44, E45 and E46 are each control board malfunction error codes. Contact Frigidaire to have your washer serviced if you have one of these codes and the washer doesn’t resume normal function after pausing.

Stuck Water Valve

• After you press “Start” on a Frigidaire washing machine, the water valve should open to allow water to fill the washer. However, if the water valve sticks, the fill cycle will be delayed until the valve opens and the washer might temporarily pause. If the pauses become longer than a few seconds, contact Frigidaire to inspect the valve and repair it if a technician determines that it’s sticking.

Pause Mode

• If your washing machine goes into “Pause” immediately after starting a wash cycle, unplug the washer and wait about 60 seconds to plug it back in. Sometimes if the door doesn’t shut all of the way and you secure it after you’ve pressed “Start,” the washer will go into Pause Mode. Unplugging the washer should reset the control board and allow you to start the wash cycle again without issue.