On this page
Start here
Quick answer
On a Frigidaire dishwasher, PF means the unit detected a loss of power; it does not by itself identify a failed pump, heater, or control board. First record whether the display actually says PF or whether only indicator lights are flashing, and note whether the dishwasher lost power during a cycle. If there is no electrical hazard and the door is normally closed, press START/CANCEL once as Frigidaire directs. If PF clears and the dishwasher starts normally, monitor it. If PF returns, the household power is unstable, the breaker trips again, or there is a burning smell, hot or damaged wiring, smoke, or water near electrics, stop using the dishwasher and arrange qualified service.
Before you begin
Safety first
- Do not open the control or electrical enclosure, probe live voltage, bypass the door latch, replace a board or keypad from PF alone, or keep resetting a recurring power fault. Stop immediately for smoke, burning odor, sparking, a hot or damaged cord or plug, water near electrical parts, or repeated breaker operation.

Work through in order
Diagnostic checks
Use only checks that match the exact appliance or system and its official guide.
-
Check 1
Before pressing buttons, photograph or transcribe the display exactly, including capitalization, and record whether it says PF, shows another message, or has only flashing lights. Write down the complete model number and whether the message appeared during a cycle, immediately after an outage, or after the door was opened.
Expected result: The display clearly shows PF, only a documented light pattern is present, a different message appears, or the model and display identity are uncertain.
Next step: If PF is confirmed, continue with the one-time reset and recurrence checks. If only lights flash or another message appears, use the exact model manual and the matching Frigidaire support path instead of calling it PF.
Why this matters
Why: Frigidaire maps PF to loss of power, but its support also lists separate status, door, and keypad patterns. Without the exact message, light order, and model, a power explanation could be applied to the wrong condition.
-
Check 2
Without opening any enclosure, note whether the home or kitchen recently lost power and whether the dishwasher's accessible controls, outlet, cord, or nearby breaker show an obvious normal or abnormal state. Do not probe the outlet, remove a panel, or repeatedly reset a breaker.
Expected result: There was a clear outage or one-time interruption with no visible damage, or there is no known outage, repeated breaker operation, a hot/damaged plug or cord, smoke, burning odor, sparking, or water near electrical parts.
Next step: For a known one-time outage with no hazard, continue to the model-approved START/CANCEL step. For any hazard or repeated power loss, stop using the dishwasher, isolate power only from a safe dry location, and arrange qualified electrical or appliance service.
Why this matters
Why: A single known interruption fits Frigidaire's PF meaning. An unknown or recurring power event, or any visible electrical or water hazard, requires a safety response rather than a code-clearing experiment.
-
Check 3
If PF is confirmed, the door is normally closed, and there is no leak or electrical hazard, press the normal START/CANCEL button once as Frigidaire directs. Do not hold the latch, enter a diagnostic mode, or use a reset sequence copied from another model.
Expected result: PF clears and the dishwasher accepts a new cycle, PF remains immediately, or the panel changes to a different message or flashing pattern.
Next step: If the message clears, run only a normal supervised cycle and stop if the power state returns. If PF remains or a different pattern appears, leave the dishwasher off and contact Frigidaire or qualified service with the recorded model and sequence.
Why this matters
Why: Clearing after START/CANCEL is consistent with a recoverable power-loss state, but it does not certify the household supply or appliance electronics. A recurring or changed indication needs model-specific diagnosis.
-
Check 4
After the message is cleared, record whether the dishwasher completes a normal cycle, loses power again at the same stage, drains and flashes lights, or shows a door-related pattern when Start is pressed. Do not run repeated cycles just to reproduce PF.
Expected result: The cycle completes normally, PF returns, the unit repeatedly loses power, the Hi-Temp Wash and Heat Dry lights flash, or the Cycles/Option/Washing lights flash when Start/CANCEL is pressed.
Next step: For recurrence or an unresolved light pattern, stop using the dishwasher and arrange service with the exact model, display/photo, cycle stage, outage history, and reset performed. Do not order a control board, keypad, motor, or heater from PF alone.
Why this matters
Why: A completed cycle after a one-time outage is consistent with a cleared power-loss state. Recurrence points to an unresolved supply or appliance fault; the documented light patterns may instead indicate power failure, an unclosed door, or a keypad issue.
Use your observations
Decision map
Find the observation that best matches what you see, then follow the next safe action.
-
PATH 01Next step
What you see
PF appeared immediately after a known one-time power interruption, clears with one normal START/CANCEL press, and the dishwasher completes a supervised cycle without a hazard.
Do this next
Resume ordinary use while monitoring for another interruption. Keep the model and event record in case PF returns; do not replace a component solely because PF was displayed.
Why this path and its safety boundary
Why it matters: This pattern is consistent with Frigidaire's documented loss-of-power state and does not by itself identify a mechanical part failure.
-
PATH 02Next step
What you see
PF returns after START/CANCEL, appears without a known outage, or the dishwasher loses power again during a cycle.
Do this next
Stop repeated resets and arrange qualified electrical or appliance service. Provide the model, timing, breaker behavior, and whether other household power was affected.
Why this path and its safety boundary
Why it matters: The power-loss state is recurring; the cause may be household supply, connection, or an appliance fault, and PF alone cannot distinguish among them.
-
PATH 03Next step
What you see
Only lights flash: Hi-Temp Wash and Heat Dry, Cycles/Option/Washing after Start/CANCEL, or a drain-and-flash pattern; no PF text is confirmed.
Do this next
Record the light order and exact model, check only that the door closes normally if there is no hazard, and use Frigidaire's matching support guidance. Schedule service if the pattern persists.
Why this path and its safety boundary
Why it matters: Frigidaire documents these as different power-failure, door-not-closed, or possible shorted-keypad patterns. They should not be decoded as the PF text message without the exact model's guide.
-
PATH 04Next step
What you see
PF or the flashing pattern is accompanied by smoke, burning smell, sparking, a hot or damaged cord/plug, water near electrical parts, or repeated breaker operation.
Do this next
Stop the dishwasher, keep clear of the hazard, isolate electrical power and water only through normal accessible controls if safe, and obtain qualified service. Do not run another cycle or open the machine.
Why this path and its safety boundary
Why it matters: This is an electrical or water safety event, not a normal message-clearing situation.
Helpful context
Understand the symptom
What PF means
Frigidaire's dishwasher support defines PF as a loss of power and gives START/CANCEL as the normal way to cancel the message. PF therefore records a power interruption or power-loss state; it does not prove that a motor, heater, valve, or electronic board has failed. The exact model manual still controls the display format and any additional instructions.
PF is not the same as every flashing-light pattern
Some Frigidaire dishwashers show power failure with the Hi-Temp Wash and Heat Dry lights flashing. Frigidaire separately describes a Cycles/Option/Washing pattern for a door that is not closed and a drain-plus-flashing pattern for a possible shorted keypad. Record the exact display or light sequence before choosing the PF branch.
When checks do not resolve it
Need a professional?
Arrange Frigidaire or qualified electrical/appliance service when PF returns after the documented START/CANCEL step, appears without a known one-time outage, is accompanied by repeated power loss, or is confused with a persistent flashing-light pattern. Use an electrician when the household circuit or breaker is the part that repeatedly opens.
Safety scope: Do not open the control or electrical enclosure, probe live voltage, bypass the door latch, replace a board or keypad from PF alone, or keep resetting a recurring power fault. Stop immediately for smoke, burning odor, sparking, a hot or damaged cord or plug, water near electrical parts, or repeated breaker operation.
Have this ready
- Provide the complete model number, exact PF text or light sequence, a photo if available, cycle stage, outage or breaker history, whether the door was opened, the START/CANCEL step performed, and any water, odor, heat, or sound observations.
Common questions
FAQ
What does PF mean on a Frigidaire dishwasher?
Frigidaire identifies PF as a loss of power. It is a recorded power-state message, not proof that a pump, heater, or control board has failed. Press START/CANCEL once only when the door and electrical conditions are normal, then monitor for recurrence.
How do I clear PF on a Frigidaire dishwasher?
Frigidaire's PF support instructs users to press the START/CANCEL button to cancel the error so a new cycle can be started. Do not repeatedly reset a recurring PF or use a model-specific procedure from another dishwasher.
Is PF the same as Frigidaire dishwasher lights flashing?
Not necessarily. Frigidaire documents a Hi-Temp Wash/Heat Dry flashing pattern for power failure, but it also documents separate light patterns for an unclosed door and a possible shorted keypad. Record the exact lights and model before applying the PF explanation.
Read the exact guide
Official sources
- What do I do if my dishwasher is showing a message code?Frigidaire · Supports the identity check because Frigidaire distinguishes normal status messages from other codes and directs unresolved messages to the Owner's Manual.
- Dishwashers Flashing LightsFrigidaire · Directly supports distinguishing a PF-related power-failure light pattern from door-not-closed and possible shorted-keypad patterns.
- Dishwasher Error Code PF - Loss of PowerFrigidaire · Directly addresses the assigned Frigidaire dishwasher PF message and its documented normal clearing action.
- Dishwasher Error Codes and Alarms GuideFrigidaire · Directly lists PF under dishwashers and distinguishes it from delay, door, drain, and other status/error messages.
Community feedback
Share a repair observation
Share a plain-text repair observation. Accepted observations are published automatically; this page may take a moment to update.