The PF error on your Frigidaire dryer means the unit experienced a power interruption while it was running a cycle. This isn’t usually a sign of a broken dryer — it’s a safety alert letting you know the cycle was interrupted and needs to be restarted or resumed.

Error code PF
Meaning Power Failure — the dryer lost electrical power mid-cycle
Severity Low — usually not a fault with the dryer itself
Time to fix 2–10 minutes
Tools needed None

What the PF error means

PF stands for Power Failure. It appears when the dryer’s control board detects that electrical power was cut off and then restored while a drying cycle was in progress. The dryer stores this information so you know your load may not have finished drying properly.

This code is different from most other Frigidaire fault codes because it rarely points to an internal part failure. It’s more of a notification than a diagnostic error, similar in spirit to how other appliance systems flag interruptions — see the Frigidaire EF Error Code: Causes and Fixes guide for a comparable example on refrigerators.

Common causes

  • A brief home power outage or brownout during the drying cycle
  • The dryer was accidentally unplugged or the plug came loose
  • A tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse in your home’s electrical panel
  • A power strip or extension setup that lost connection (not recommended for dryers)
  • Storm-related electrical surges or grid instability
  • Someone switched off a wall switch controlling the outlet

How to fix the PF error

  1. Check the load first. Open the door and feel the clothes — if they’re still damp, the cycle was genuinely interrupted and needs to be restarted.
  2. Clear the error code. Press Start or Pause/Cancel (depending on model) to clear PF from the display before doing anything else.
  3. Restart the cycle. Select your drying setting again and press Start. This is usually all that’s needed.
  4. Confirm the power connection. Make sure the power cord is fully seated in the outlet and the outlet itself isn’t loose or damaged.
  5. Check your breaker panel. If the breaker for the dryer circuit has tripped, reset it. Dryers pull a lot of power, so a shared circuit can trip under load.
  6. Watch for repeat occurrences. If PF keeps appearing with no obvious power outage, have an electrician check the dedicated circuit and outlet for the dryer.

FAQ

Does PF mean my dryer is broken?
No. In almost all cases it just means power was briefly lost and restored — the dryer itself is usually fine.

Will my clothes need a full cycle again?
If they’re still damp, yes — restart the cycle. If they’re already dry, you can just clear the code and skip re-running it.

How do I stop PF from appearing repeatedly?
Make sure the dryer is on its own dedicated circuit, the plug is snug, and there’s no loose wiring or overloaded outlet causing intermittent power loss.