Frigidaire Washer E42 — What It Means & How to Fix It
Your Frigidaire front-load washer finished its cycle but the door lock didn't release, so it reports E42 — a power reset frees most cases, though a worn lock that won't disengage is the usual real fault.
What this code means
E42 is logged when the cycle is complete but the control still reads the door as locked. The lock is meant to click open once the drum has stopped; when it doesn't, the machine flags E42 and the door stays shut. It is the opposite situation to E41, which is the door failing to lock at the start.
E42 turns up at the end of a cycle rather than the beginning — if your fault appears when starting, that's E41, and if the lock drops out mid-spin it's E47. The behavior is consistent across the front-load generations; non-display models blink it on the status lights.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary lock hang that a power reset releases | Common | Yes — power reset |
| Worn door-lock assembly that won't disengage | Common | No — technician job |
| Control-board relay holding the lock closed | Less common | No — technician job |
| Damaged wiring between the lock and the board | Less common | No — technician job |
What you can try yourself
- Give it a minute — some locks release a short delay after the drum fully stops, so wait before assuming it's stuck.
- Unplug the washer for five to ten minutes, then restore power; cutting power clears the lock state on most machines and the door pops free.
- If the tub still holds water, drain it through the pump filter behind the lower panel first — locks often hold while water remains.
- With the machine unplugged and drained, check your manual for the emergency door-release tab behind the lower access panel and use it gently if provided.
- If the door still won't open or E42 returns every cycle, the door-lock assembly has likely failed — that's a technician's replacement.
When to call a technician
- The door stays locked after a full drain and a long power-off.
- E42 appears at the end of every cycle.
- You can hear the lock trying to release but it never clicks open.
Typical professional repair cost: A door-lock assembly replacement on a Frigidaire front-loader typically runs $130–$250 with labor.
Frequently asked questions
How do I unlock a Frigidaire washer stuck on E42?
Unplug it for five to ten minutes and let any water drain out through the pump filter. Removing power clears the lock on most machines; if it's still shut, many models have an emergency-release tab behind the lower panel described in the manual.
Why is my washer door still locked after the cycle finished?
The lock didn't get the release signal or is mechanically stuck. A reset fixes the occasional hang, but a lock that won't disengage after a proper reset has usually worn out and needs replacing.
Is E42 the same as E41?
No — they're mirror images. E41 means the door won't lock so the washer won't start; E42 means the door won't unlock after the cycle ends. Both involve the same door-lock assembly.
Related Frigidaire codes
- Frigidaire Washer E11 Your Frigidaire front-load washer opened its fill valve but the water level didn't rise fast enough and timed out — almost always a restricted supply at the taps, hoses, or inlet screens rather than a dead valve.
- Frigidaire Washer E13 Your Frigidaire front-load washer has detected a leak — either water escaping the outer tub or, just as often, an air leak in the thin hose that lets the pressure sensor read the water level.
- Frigidaire Washer E20 Your Frigidaire front-load washer can't pump the water out, almost always because something is blocking the drain path — the pump filter, the drain hose, or the standpipe — rather than a failed pump.
- Frigidaire Washer E21 Your Frigidaire front-load washer is draining, but too slowly to satisfy the control within its time limit — usually a partial blockage in the pump filter or hose, or a drain pump that is losing strength.
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