A Frigidaire FFFW5000 that stops mid-cycle is usually paused, out of balance or waiting on the door lock. Frigidaire's guide gives the controls: press Pause to add a forgotten item (PAU shows alternately with the remaining time), press cancel to stop a cycle, and know that a cycle interrupted during the spin needs 2 to 3 minutes for the door lock to release. If the washer motor overheats, it stops and restarts automatically after a cool-down of up to 30 minutes. On the FFTW4120 top-loader the codes for lid open, out of balance and fill or drain timeouts explain a stop.
Differential
Likely causes of “Frigidaire FFFW5000 front-load washer stops, pauses or powers off mid-cycle”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The cycle was paused
What separates it PAU shows on the display and the door is unlocked because the cycle was paused
How to confirm Close the door, and press START, to resume the cycle
- 2
An out-of-balance load
What separates it The washer stops and tries again because the load is out of balance
How to confirm Stop the washer, rearrange the load, and restart the cycle
- 3
The motor overload protector
What separates it The washer stops after a heavy load because the motor overload protector has tripped
How to confirm Wait up to 30 minutes for it to restart automatically
- 4
A fill or drain timeout (top-loader)
What separates it A code shows after a long fill or drain because of a timeout on a top loader
How to confirm Check faucets, hoses and standpipe as on the fill and drain pages
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- What stage of the cycle it stopped at
- What the display shows when it stops
- Whether the washer restarted on its own
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedRead the display
ReversibleRead the display, since PAU means that the door is open, and a code means that there is a fault.
Close the door and press START
ReversibleClose the door and press START, and the washer resumes the cycle where it stopped.
Rebalance
ReversibleRebalance the load, by stopping the washer, rearranging it, and adding one or two similar items if it is small.
Wait for the motor to cool
ReversibleWait for the motor to cool, and if it was a heavy load, allow up to thirty minutes.
Check supply and drain
ReversibleCheck the supply and the drain, with the faucets fully open, the hoses straight and the standpipe within its limits.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Pausing and cancelling
- To change the settings or options after a cycle starts, press Pause, make the new selections and press START; pressing buttons without pausing produces several beeps. To change the cycle once it has begun, press cancel, select a new cycle and press START; turning the selector alone does not change it. To stop the cycle, press cancel.
- Delay Start and Control Lock are not stops
- Two features can look like a stopped washer. Delay Start holds the cycle until the chosen time and counts down after START is pressed, and Control Lock (LOC on the display) ignores the buttons until it is switched off by holding Options and Select for 10 seconds. A cycle waiting on Delay Start has not failed, and a Control Lock does not mean the buttons are broken.
- Parts for this problem on the FFFW5000 (RepairClinic, 2026-09-20)
- door lock & switch assembly, part number 131763256, at $106.94; control board, part number 137208014NH, at $221.32; water level pressure switch, part number 134762010, at $45.94; drain pump, part number 137311900, at $165.95.
- 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 code returns after clearing, call Frigidaire service on 1-800-944-9044
- !If the washer stops repeatedly with a balanced load, call 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 did my washer stop mid-cycle?+
Paused, out of balance, motor overload protection or a fill or drain timeout.
How long does the overload protector take?+
Up to 30 minutes to cool down and restart automatically.
How do I stop a cycle?+
Press cancel; just turning the cycle selector does not change a running cycle.
How do I change cycle mid-run?+
Press cancel, select a new cycle and press START again.
Can I change options mid-cycle?+
Press pause, make new selections and press START; pressing buttons after the cycle starts without pausing gives several beeps.
What if it stops in the spin?+
Wait 2 to 3 minutes for the lock to release.