What causes Frigidaire Washer E5?

The washer is leaning back or rocking because the leveling legs aren't adjusted, which Frigidaire names as the cause of E5. A leveling leg that has worked loose or wasn't locked with its lock nut. Leveling legs extended too far. Frigidaire's tip is no more than 1/2 inch below the washer bottom. A floor that's soft, carpeted or sloped more than 1 inch, which Frigidaire's installation instructions rule out. Shipping materials that weren't removed during installation. A failed impact switch, which the Use & Care guide lists as the second cause of this code.

How do I fix Frigidaire Washer E5?

Press Power to turn the washer off and wait for the lid to unlock. Unplug it before moving it. Make sure the washer isn't tilted backward against the wall and that it's on a solid, hard floor, not carpet. Frigidaire's installation instructions allow a floor slope of no more than 1 inch. Place a carpenter's level flush against the front panel to check front to back, then flush against the side panel to check side to side. Turn the front leveling legs in or out with adjustable pliers until the washer is level both ways, then tighten the lock nuts. Keep the legs extended as little as possible; Frigidaire says no more than 1/2 inch below the washer bottom. Press down on alternate corners and sides and feel for the slightest rocking. Adjust the legs until the washer sits solidly on all four legs. If the washer is newly installed, check the installation instructions and make sure all shipping materials were removed. Plug the washer back in and run a short cycle. If the load seems lopsided, spread the clothes evenly, since a heavy one-sided load can also make the washer move.

When should I call a pro for Frigidaire Washer E5?

E5 keeps coming back even though the washer is level, sits firmly on all four legs and the floor is solid. Frigidaire's manual points to a failed impact switch here and says to call the service center. A leveling leg is stripped, broken or won't stay put. The floor flexes or moves when the washer spins. Frigidaire says floor reinforcement may be needed. The washer shows a different code, such as E4 (out of balance) or, on a front-loader, E5A to E5F (motor control board faults).

Code: E5🧺 Frigidaire Washer

Frigidaire Washer E5 Error Code: Washer Is Not Level (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Q: What does Frigidaire Washer E5 mean?

E5 on a Frigidaire top-load washer means the washer is not level. Frigidaire's fix is to make sure the washer isn't leaning back and to adjust the leveling legs until it's level front to back and side to side and sits firmly on all four legs. If the washer is level and E5 keeps coming back, the manual points to a failed impact switch, which is a job for a service technician. Frigidaire's support article for top-loading washers says Error Code E5, which some models show as code 5, means the unit is not level, and tells you to make sure it's level and not leaned back, adjusting the leveling legs as needed. The error-code table in Frigidaire's top-load Use & Care guide (A29259301) lists two causes for this code: "Your washer is not level," fixed by adjusting the washer level per the installation instructions, and "Impact switch failed," with the advice to call the service center if the problem continues. E5 is different from E4, which means the load is out of balance during spin. This page covers Frigidaire top-load washers. Frigidaire front-load washers don't use a plain E5; they show codes like E5A to E5F, which the front-load tech sheet and Sears PartsDirect tie to the motor control board overheating or losing communication with the main control board.

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Based on 6 manufacturer & service sources

What the code means

Frigidaire's support article for top-loading washers says Error Code E5, which some models show as code 5, means the unit is not level, and tells you to make sure it's level and not leaned back, adjusting the leveling legs as needed. The error-code table in Frigidaire's top-load Use & Care guide (A29259301) lists two causes for this code: "Your washer is not level," fixed by adjusting the washer level per the installation instructions, and "Impact switch failed," with the advice to call the service center if the problem continues. E5 is different from E4, which means the load is out of balance during spin. This page covers Frigidaire top-load washers. Frigidaire front-load washers don't use a plain E5; they show codes like E5A to E5F, which the front-load tech sheet and Sears PartsDirect tie to the motor control board overheating or losing communication with the main control board.

Likely causes

The washer is leaning back or rocking because the leveling legs aren't adjusted, which Frigidaire names as the cause of E5
A leveling leg that has worked loose or wasn't locked with its lock nut
Leveling legs extended too far. Frigidaire's tip is no more than 1/2 inch below the washer bottom
A floor that's soft, carpeted or sloped more than 1 inch, which Frigidaire's installation instructions rule out
Shipping materials that weren't removed during installation
A failed impact switch, which the Use & Care guide lists as the second cause of this code

Safe DIY checks

⚠ Before you start

Unplug the washer before tipping or moving it, and get a second person to help, since a washer is heavy and can tip. Don't put shims, wood blocks or other objects under the legs instead of adjusting them, and never reach into the tub while it's moving.

Press Power to turn the washer off and wait for the lid to unlock. Unplug it before moving it.
Make sure the washer isn't tilted backward against the wall and that it's on a solid, hard floor, not carpet. Frigidaire's installation instructions allow a floor slope of no more than 1 inch.
Place a carpenter's level flush against the front panel to check front to back, then flush against the side panel to check side to side.
Turn the front leveling legs in or out with adjustable pliers until the washer is level both ways, then tighten the lock nuts. Keep the legs extended as little as possible; Frigidaire says no more than 1/2 inch below the washer bottom.
Press down on alternate corners and sides and feel for the slightest rocking. Adjust the legs until the washer sits solidly on all four legs.
If the washer is newly installed, check the installation instructions and make sure all shipping materials were removed.
Plug the washer back in and run a short cycle. If the load seems lopsided, spread the clothes evenly, since a heavy one-sided load can also make the washer move.

🛠 When to call a pro

E5 keeps coming back even though the washer is level, sits firmly on all four legs and the floor is solid. Frigidaire's manual points to a failed impact switch here and says to call the service center.
A leveling leg is stripped, broken or won't stay put.
The floor flexes or moves when the washer spins. Frigidaire says floor reinforcement may be needed.
The washer shows a different code, such as E4 (out of balance) or, on a front-loader, E5A to E5F (motor control board faults).

Parts that commonly fix it

Always match the part number to your exact model.

⚙

Carpenter's level

For checking the washer front to back and side to side.

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⚙

Washer leveling leg (exact part for your model)

Only if a leg is stripped, broken or won't lock. Match your model number.

Search eBay →

⚙

Anti-vibration washer pads

Optional, for a hard floor where the washer creeps. They don't replace proper leveling.

Search eBay →

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-25. Always confirm against the manual for your exact model number.

Frigidaire Washer E5 Error Code: Washer Is Not Level (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

What the code means

Likely causes

Safe DIY checks

🛠 When to call a pro

Parts that commonly fix it

Carpenter's level

Washer leveling leg (exact part for your model)

Anti-vibration washer pads

Related codes

Sources