Frigidaire Garbage Disposals Error Codes

E1

Garbage disposal will not turn on; wall switch has power; a small red reset button on the bottom or side of the Frigidaire disposal is tripped and the unit is warm to the touch.

Overload Protector Tripped

E10

Garbage disposal leaks from the side where the dishwasher drain hose connects.

Dishwasher Inlet Hose Seal Leak

E11

Garbage disposal leaks from the bottom of the unit, dripping onto the cabinet floor even when not running.

Internal Seal or Housing Failure

E12

Garbage disposal emits a persistent burning smell when running; may be accompanied by smoke or excessive heat from the housing.

Overheating Motor or Electrical Insulation Breakdown

E13

Garbage disposal turns on by itself intermittently or will not turn off even when the wall switch is in the OFF position.

Stuck or Shorted Wall Switch / Control Circuit

E14

Garbage disposal stops abruptly during operation and will not restart until reset; this happens frequently under normal loads.

Nuisance Tripping of Overload Protector

E15

Garbage disposal runs but does not grind food effectively; large pieces remain and are not broken down.

Worn Impellers or Grind Ring

E16

Garbage disposal makes a high-pitched squealing or screeching noise when running.

Dry or Failing Motor Bearings

E17

Garbage disposal runs but water splashes back out of the sink opening; food particles and water spray upward.

Missing or Damaged Splash Guard / Baffle

E18

Garbage disposal emits a strong rotten or sewer-like odor even when not in use.

Organic Buildup in Grind Chamber and Drain

E19

Garbage disposal will not turn on after a power outage or surge; reset button does not appear tripped.

Surge-Damaged Motor or Control Circuit

E2

Garbage disposal hums loudly when switched on but the grinding plate does not spin; unit may trip the reset button or breaker after a few seconds.

Impeller Plate Jam / Locked Rotor

E20

Garbage disposal trips the kitchen GFCI outlet only when the dishwasher is draining through it.

Combined Load Ground Fault During Dishwasher Drain

E3

Garbage disposal does not respond at all (no hum, no sound) even though the wall switch is ON and the reset button is not tripped.

Open Power Circuit to Disposal

E4

Garbage disposal trips the GFCI outlet or circuit breaker immediately or within a few seconds of being turned on.

Ground Fault or Short Circuit in Disposal

E5

Garbage disposal runs but water backs up into the sink; grinding seems normal but sink drains very slowly or not at all.

Discharge / Drain Obstruction

E6

Newly installed Frigidaire garbage disposal runs but dishwasher does not drain through the disposal; water backs up into dishwasher.

Dishwasher Inlet Knockout Not Removed or Blocked

E7

Garbage disposal runs but makes a loud metallic grinding or rattling noise; may sound like metal-on-metal or clanking.

Foreign Object in Grinding Chamber

E8

Garbage disposal vibrates excessively and the sink or countertop shakes when the unit is running.

Imbalance or Loose Mounting Assembly

E9

Garbage disposal leaks from the top where it meets the sink drain opening.

Sink Flange Seal Failure

Symptom

Garbage disposal causes a gurgling sound in nearby sinks or drains when operating.

Ventilation or Drainage Airflow Issue

Symptom

Garbage disposal causes the lights in the kitchen to dim significantly when starting.

High Inrush Current or Undersized Circuit

Symptom

Garbage disposal causes water to back up into the dishwasher.

Blocked Disposal Outlet or Dishwasher Inlet

Symptom

Garbage disposal emits a metallic ringing or bell-like sound during operation.

Impeller Contact with Grind Ring or Chamber Wall

Symptom

Garbage disposal hums for a few seconds and then shuts off; reset button may trip.

Stalled Rotor Due to Jammed Chamber

Symptom

Garbage disposal is excessively loud compared to when it was new, with a harsh grinding sound even under light load.

Worn or Corroded Grinding Components

Symptom

Garbage disposal makes a chattering or rapid clicking noise when turned on but does not spin properly.

Impeller Arms Striking Foreign Object or Loose Component

Symptom

Garbage disposal makes a rattling noise only when water is running, even if the unit is off.

Loose Baffle or Mounting Components Vibrating with Water Flow

Symptom

Garbage disposal runs but water backs up into the second bowl of a double sink.

Cross-Connection or Partial Drain Blockage

Symptom

Garbage disposal runs but water leaks from the connection to the P-trap.

Loose or Misaligned Discharge Plumbing

Symptom

Garbage disposal runs but water leaks only when the unit is operating, not when just running water.

Pressure-Related Leak at Discharge or Internal Seals

Symptom

Garbage disposal switch shocks or tingles when touched.

Improper Grounding or Faulty Switch

Symptom

Garbage disposal trips the breaker only when grinding certain foods (e.g., potato peels, fibrous vegetables).

Overloading with Difficult-to-Grind Materials

Symptom

Garbage disposal turns on but then slows down noticeably under even small loads.

Weak Motor or Low Voltage Supply

Symptom

Garbage disposal vibrates and makes noise only at certain speeds or when starting/stopping.

Transient Imbalance or Loose Mounting Hardware

Symptom

Garbage disposal will not stay mounted; it repeatedly drops or loosens from the sink flange.

Improperly Engaged Mounting Ring or Worn Mounting Ears

Symptom

Garbage disposal will not turn on; a quiet click may be heard at the switch but the unit remains completely silent.

Faulty Wall Switch or Loose Connection