Why your Frigidaire front-load washer is displaying an E4A error & how you can fix it

If your front-loading Frigidaire washer displays the E4A error, you’ll be glad to know that you can usually resolve it with just a few troubleshooting steps — no service call or technician needed!

Let’s walk through the most likely causes and how you can fix the issue yourself.

If you find out that you need any replacement parts for your Frigidaire washer while you’re troubleshooting, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to order them. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of free guides to show you how to install your new parts.

Important: The troubleshooting information in this article is based on general service manuals and may not apply to your specific appliance model. While we strive to offer helpful advice for DIY appliance repairs, variations in models and configurations can lead to differences in troubleshooting steps, error codes and part replacements. For the most accurate guidance, we strongly recommend consulting the technical sheet for your specific appliance model.

What does the E4A error code mean?

The E4A error code is usually related to the door lock on the washing machine and means the main control board isn’t receiving normal feedback from the door sensor.

The E4A error also prevents the washer from advancing through the wash cycle, since the control board can’t confirm that the door is locked. This safety feature is in place to prevent the washer from operating with an unsecured door.

Read more: 10 Washing Machine Tips to Get Stains Out

Safety precautions

When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before you attempt any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by eliminating any risk of electric shock.
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it.
• Turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs. Keep towels ready to catch any residual water in the system when removing parts.
• Take your time while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries. Rushing is the enemy of precision.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can see and access appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part.
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Always take photos or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting them to make reassembly easier.
• Don’t test live voltage with a multimeter if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short-circuiting.

Read more: How does a front load washer work?

How to troubleshoot the E4A error code

Clear the E4A fault code from your Frigidaire washer by following these troubleshooting steps.

Step 1: Check the door

1. Make sure the washer is unplugged and the water supply is turned off.
2. Close the door. Listen for a clicking sound to indicate that the door latch has engaged. If you hear a clicking sound, this suggests the door lock is still functioning. Move on to check the door strike (the part on the frame that the latch connects with). If you don’t hear a clicking sound, jump to step 2 to troubleshoot the door lock and wiring.
3. Visually inspect the door strike for any damage or misalignment. If the strike appears broken or bent, you’ll need to replace it since it may prevent the latch from fully engaging.

If you heard the sound of the lock attempting to close and the door strike looks OK, then you’ll need to replace the door switch. This switch tells the washer control board that the door is closed so it can start a wash cycle.

Step 2: Check the door lock wiring

If you didn’t hear the lock attempt, then the issue could be with the electrical connections between the door lock and the main control board.

Look for any visible damage to the wire harness or loose connections at the plug points. If you see any frays, breaks, burn spots, etc., replace the wiring.

If the wiring looks good, see if power is reaching the lock:

LIVE VOLTAGE WARNING: For this test, the washer needs to be plugged in and powered on. Please be very careful to protect yourself from electric shock, which has the potential to cause serious injuries. Don’t ever test live voltage if you’re uncomfortable using a multimeter.

1. Make sure the washer is plugged into the power outlet and the water supply is turned on.
2. Set a multimeter to Volts AC mode and use the probes to check for 120 VAC at the connection points for the door lock.
3. Check the meter reading. If you get 120 VAC at the lock, then the lock is faulty and will need to be replaced. If you don’t get 120 VAC, then there may be a break in the wiring somewhere between the lock and the control board. You’ll need to trace the wiring harness back and look for damage or loose connections along the way.

If you’ve made it this far and the wiring is OK, then move on to the next step.

Step 3: Check the rinse/spin cycle

1. Make sure the washer is plugged into the power outlet and the water supply is turned on.
2. With the tub empty, put the washer in a Rinse/Spin cycle. If the water doesn’t pump out during the Rinse/Spin cycle, there might be a clog in the drain hose.
3. Disconnect the drain hose from the washer and check for any blockages like lint or debris.

If the unit pumps out water, see if it also spins. If it doesn’t spin, test the door lock:

1. Make sure the washer is unplugged from the power outlet.
2. Set a multimeter to continuity mode and use the probes to test the door lock for continuity. If the multimeter doesn’t beep, then the door lock is faulty and will need to be replaced.

If you’ve made it this far and the unit pumps out water and spins, replace the main control board.

If the drain hose seems clear and water still doesn’t pump out, the drain pump itself might be faulty.

Step 4: Check the drain pump

1. Set a multimeter to Volts AC mode.
2. Use the meter probes to check for 120 VAC at the connection points for the drain pump.
3. Check the meter reading. If you get 120 VAC at the pump, then the pump is faulty and needs to be replaced. If you don’t get 120 VAC, then check the wiring harness between the pump and the control board for any damage and replace it if needed.

If you’ve made it this far and there’s no damage to the wiring harness or loose connections, then the control board itself may not be sending the signal to activate the pump. Replace the main control board as a last resort.

Read more: How a washing machine pressure sensor works

More information

Thank you for reading! We hope this guide helped you get your Frigidaire washer working again.

If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, don’t hesitate to explore our other troubleshooting guides and videos.

If you need replacement parts or some extra help with ordering them, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com, where you can chat with a pro, read our DIY blog and more.

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