If the Frigidaire FFFW5000 will not start, the guide gives four checks in order: the power cord plugged in tightly at the wall, a blown fuse or tripped breaker or a power outage (reset the breaker or replace the fuse and never increase the fuse capacity), the water supply faucets turned on, and the door completely closed, since the washer will not operate with it open. It adds that the washer motor has an electrical overload protector: if the motor overheats the washer stops and restarts automatically after a cool-down of up to 30 minutes if it was not manually turned off.
Differential
Likely causes of “Frigidaire FFFW5000 front-load washer has no power or a blank control panel”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The plug is loose or the outlet is dead
What separates it There is no display and no response because the plug is loose or the outlet is dead
How to confirm Make sure the plug fits tightly in the wall outlet
- 2
A blown fuse, tripped breaker or outage
What separates it The outlet is dead because of a blown fuse, a tripped breaker or an outage
How to confirm Reset the breaker or replace the fuse; do not increase the fuse capacity
- 3
The door is not completely closed
What separates it PAU shows on the display because the door is not completely closed
How to confirm Close the door completely, and press START, to begin the cycle
- 4
The motor overload protector has tripped
What separates it The washer stops in the middle of a cycle and waits because the motor overload protector has tripped
How to confirm Allow up to 30 minutes for the motor to cool and restart
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the display comes on at all
- Whether the washer stopped after a heavy load
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedCheck the plug
ReversibleCheck the plug, and make sure that the plug fits tightly in a grounded outlet.
Check the breaker
ReversibleCheck the breaker, and reset the breaker or replace the fuse, and a power outage needs the electric company.
Check the water and the door
ReversibleCheck the water and the door, with the water faucets on and the door fully closed.
Wait out the overload protector
ReversibleWait out the overload protector, since if the motor overheated, it restarts automatically after up to thirty minutes.
Call service
ReversibleCall service if none of these works, and call with the model and the serial number.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Electrical overload protector
- The washer motor has an electrical overload protector: if the motor overheats the washer stops and restarts automatically after a cool-down period of up to 30 minutes, provided it was not manually turned off. That looks like a dead washer in the middle of a heavy load, and waiting is the correct answer rather than a service call.
- What the guide says after a power outage
- If a power outage interrupted a cycle, restart the cycle from the panel once power returns; the guide's power checks are the plug, the fuse or breaker and the outage itself, which only the electric company can fix. Check that the display shows the cycle before pressing START, and keep the door closed, since PAU on the display means the door is open.
- Parts for this problem on the FFFW5000 (RepairClinic, 2026-09-20)
- control board, part number 137208014NH, at $221.32; door lock & switch assembly, part number 131763256, at $106.94.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the FFTW4120 top-load washer, FLCE7522 laundry-center washer, FLXE52 laundry-center washer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a circuit overload keeps tripping the breaker, have a qualified electrician correct it
- !If the washer stays dead with a good outlet, call Frigidaire service
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
The published manual page that ties the FFTW4120SW top-loader to Frigidaire's use and care guide A07504301.
Frigidaire's own owner-support article titles for these three codes.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-20.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why won't my Frigidaire FFFW5000 start?+
Check the plug, the breaker or fuse, the water faucets and the door.
Will the washer restart by itself after overheating?+
Yes, after a cool-down of up to 30 minutes if it was not manually turned off.
Should I increase the fuse size?+
No; the guide says not to increase fuse capacity.
What does PAU mean?+
PAU means that the door is open, so close it and press START.
What if the Control Lock is on?+
Hold Options and Select together for 10 seconds until LOC is no longer displayed.