Frigidaire Dishwasher PF Error Code: Power Was Interrupted (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)
What the code means
Frigidaire's support article calls PF "Loss of Power": the code appears when the dishwasher loses power, and pressing START/CANCEL should cancel the error so a new cycle can be started. Frigidaire's Use & Care guides add that PF appears in the status window when the dishwasher is first installed or when power has been interrupted, with the HI-TEMP WASH and NO HEAT DRY lights also flashing. So PF isn't a broken part by itself. It's the control telling you its power dropped out. On some newer Frigidaire models a power outage shows a red "power" message with a blinking START light instead, and the cycle can be resumed. One side effect: Frigidaire notes the Sanitize criteria may not be met if the cycle was interrupted by a power failure.
Likely causes
- A power outage or brief flicker while the dishwasher was running
- The dishwasher was just installed or had its power switched back on (Frigidaire says PF shows on first install)
- The breaker for the dishwasher tripped or was switched off and back on
- A loose plug, loose junction-box connection or other wiring problem that drops power intermittently
- A control board fault, if PF returns with no real power interruption or won't clear
Safe DIY checks
Unplug the appliance (or switch off its breaker) and shut off the water supply valves before removing panels or disconnecting hoses. Keep towels handy for residual water.
- Touch START/CANCEL. Frigidaire says this clears PF and lets you start a new cycle. Pressing START/CANCEL during a cycle also starts a 90-second drain, so let that finish before you pick a cycle.
- On models that show a red "power" message with a blinking START light after an outage, open the door to see where the wash left off and press START to resume the cycle. Touch any other button except START or CANCEL if you only want to acknowledge the alert.
- If you used the Sanitize option, rerun the cycle. Frigidaire says the Sanitize criteria may not be met after a power failure, and the Sanitized light won't come on.
- Check the breaker for the dishwasher. If it's tripped, switch it fully off and back on. If it trips again, stop and get it checked.
- If PF shows up again without any outage, note when it happens (for example, always during drying). That pattern helps a technician tell house wiring from a dishwasher fault.
🛠 When to call a pro
- PF keeps coming back with no power outage. A technician or electrician should check the junction-box wiring and the voltage under load. One appliance forum technician points out that a loose connection can work at idle and drop out when the heater comes on during drying.
- PF won't clear with START/CANCEL. That points to the control rather than your house power.
- You see burned or discolored wiring, smell burning, or the breaker trips repeatedly. Turn the breaker off and don't use the dishwasher until it's checked.
Sources
- Frigidaire: Dishwasher Error Code PF - Loss of Power (press START/CANCEL to clear)
- Frigidaire: Dishwashers - Resume the wash after power outage (red power message, blinking START, press START to resume)
- Frigidaire Dishwasher Use & Care 154889501 (PF on first install or power interruption, HI-TEMP WASH and NO HEAT DRY flash, 90-second drain on cancel)
- Frigidaire Dishwasher Use & Care 154768701 (Sanitize criteria may not be met after a power failure)
- AppliancePartsPros Forum: Random PF on Frigidaire dishwasher FGHD2465NF1A (junction-box and voltage-under-load checks)
Last reviewed 2026-10-23. Always confirm against the manual for your exact model number.