The control board, also known as the electronic control board or the main control board, is arguably the most essential component of your Frigidaire affinity dryer. So, you must urgently address Frigidaire Affinity Dryer Control Board Problems.
You can tell your Frigidaire affinity dryer has control board issues by looking at the error codes it displays and how the dryer behaves generally. That includes symptoms like failing to power on, start, and display.
We’ll look at all these symptoms and what to do to troubleshoot the dryer’s control board. We’ll also examine how you put your affinity dryer on diagnostic mode to obtain an error code pointing to a particular issue.
So, by running the Frigidaire affinity dryer diagnostic mode, you can troubleshoot the dryer DIY, saving time and money. But first, we’ll look at the role of the control board in your dryer.
Let’s dive in!
Role of the Control Board Plays in a Frigidaire Affinity Dryer
As mentioned, the control board is literally your dryer’s brain. It controls nearly all its operations and functions and includes the following:
- Cycle selection – The control board receives instructions when you press the control panel to allow you to pick a given cycle or setting and run it. Its failure means you cannot select cycles.
- Displays – The control board sends information, including lighting, to the dryer’s display. The control board is likely defective if there’s no display or it’s all wrong.
- Time control – It’s also the control board’s job to control the timer’s operations. It dictates when and how long the dryer should run. That’s why it’s often to blame when the dryer timer malfunctions.
- Temperature regulation – The control board regulates the heat that passes through the dryer. It dictates the heating and drying cycle, and so if the dryer doesn’t heat or dry, the control board could be to blame.
- Sensor operation – The control board also controls the operations of the various dryer sensors, including the moisture sensor, thermistor, and thermostat.
Signs of a Bad Frigidaire Affinity Dryer Control Board
You can tell you have a terrible dryer control board from these signs:
- Dryer not powering on – If your Frigidaire affinity dryer won’t power on despite having power, the control board is likely defective.
- Dryer won’t start – Sometimes the dryer may turn on, but it won’t start. While there are possible explanations, one is a dead control board.
- Inconsistent operations – The control board could also be to blame if the dryer runs and stops mid-cycle, turns itself on and off, or won’t completely dry the clothes.
- Heating issues – The control board could also be at fault if the dryer won’t heat up or dry the clothes. That’s mainly because the control board regulates the dryer’s temperature.
- Error Code – Some error codes (which we shall discuss later) point to a control board problem. That includes error codes E3, E70, E71, E9E, E74, E75, E9C, E78, E9E, and E79.
- Unresponsive control panel –If the control panel won’t respond to touch commands and nothing is wrong with it, the control board is likely at fault.
- No display – The control board could also be to blame if the display doesn’t show anything. That includes not powering up.
- Burnt marks or smell – If you happen to disassemble your dryer and access the control board and it happens to have burn markings or smell, then that’s a sign that it has been short-circuited.
How do you Troubleshoot Frigidaire Affinity Dryer Control Board Problems?
Here’s how to troubleshoot your Frigidaire affinity dryer control board when it starts malfunctioning:
Step 1 – Check the Power Supply
Start by ensuring your dryer has power. If it doesn’t, ensure it’s plugged in firmly, the circuit breaker is not flipped off, the wall socket is working, and replace a burnt fuse.
Step 2 – Frigidaire Affinity Dryer Diagnostic Mode
Generally, the diagnostic mode allows you to obtain fault codes that can help you figure out what’s wrong with your dryer and possibly troubleshoot it. Here are four ways to go about it, depending on the dryer model:
Option 1
If your Frigidaire affinity dryer has the ‘Select’ and ‘Options’ buttons, consider running these steps to put it on diagnostic mode:
- Plug the Affinity dryer into the wall socket and turn it on
- Open its door to access the control panel
- Locate ‘Select’ and ‘Options’ on the panel and press the two controls concurrently for 10 seconds to enter the diagnostic.
- Wait for the dryer to run diagnostic and note any error code that pops up
Option 2
Some Frigidaire affinity dryers may lack the ‘Select’ button. If so, you can use the ‘Start’ button in its place, and here’s how to go about getting the dryer into diagnostic mode:
- Plug the Affinity dryer into the wall outlet and turn it on
- Open its door to access the control panel
- Locate ‘Start’ and ‘Options’ on the panel and press the two controls concurrently for 10 seconds to enter diagnostic.
- Wait for the dryer to run the diagnostic and write the error code.
Option 3
You may also find a Frigidaire affinity dryer that lacks the ‘Select’ and ‘Options buttons. If so, try to see if you can locate the ‘Start’ and ‘Pause’ button, and when you do, run these steps to put the dryer on diagnostic mode:
- Plug the Affinity dryer into the wall socket and turn it on
- Open its door to access the control panel
- Locate ‘Start’ and ‘Pause’ on the panel and press the two controls concurrently for 10 seconds to enter the diagnostic.
- Wait for the dryer to run diagnostic and note any error code that pops up
Option 4
Unlike the above three options, option four doesn’t involve turning the dryer on. Instead, you put it on standby mode (plugged into the power outlet but not turned on).
Here’s how to go about running diagnostics:
- Put your dryer on standby mode (don’t turn it on; leave it plugged in)
- Open the dryer door to access the control panel
- Locate the ‘Select’ and ‘Cancel’ buttons and press them for about 6 seconds simultaneously
- As you do, keep on turning the cycle selector clockwise until all LEDs turn on
- That shows the dryer has entered diagnostic mode
- Wait to view any error codes that appear
Step 3 – Address Frigidaire Affinity Dryer Error Codes
Check for possible error codes indicating an issue with the control board. That brings us to these dryer error codes:
a) Error Code E43
(Meaning – Door Lock Communication Failure)
If there’s broken communication between the door lock and the main control board, the door lock won’t engage the door, and the door will fail to shut. If so, the error code E43 may pop up.
Once that’s the case, it may help to try resetting the dryer. But if that doesn’t work, you may need to inspect the door lock for damage and replace it. If the issue is not with the door lock, you may need to replace the main control board.
b) Error code E70, E71, E9E, E74, E75, E9C, E78, E9E, or E79
(Meaning – Control Board Communication Fault)
Suppose there’s an issue with communication between the dryer’s main control board and the motor board or user interface. In that case, the error codes E70, E71, E9E, E74, E75, E9C, E78, E9E, or E79 may appear.
This might not be a serious issue, as you can fix it by resetting the dryer. Just plug it out briefly and then restore power. But if the error persists, it may be time to replace the control board. But first, have an expert check the dryer.
Step 4 – Frigidaire Affinity Dryer Reset
A reset is a vital troubleshooting step, especially after viewing error codes. You can clear error codes from your Frigidaire affinity dryer and revert the dryer to its default setting using any of these reset options:
- Option 1 (Power Cycle) – Turn off the dryer for 5-10 minutes and then turn it back on
- Option 2 (Hard Reset) – Unplug the dryer for 5-10 minutes and then plug it back in and turn it on
Step 5 – Frigidaire Affinity Dryer Control Board Replacement
The last resort is to replace the control board, especially after confirming from the error code that it could be faulty and after the reset fails. Here’s how to go about it:
- First, plug out the dryer from the wall socket to prioritize work safety
- Unscrew the top panel and put it aside
- Detach the control panel to access the old control board
- Disconnect the old control board from its position
- Install the replacement control board
- Reinstall the old control panel and associated wiring
- Reinstall the top panel
- Plug back the dryer and power it up
- Observe its performance
If the replacement doesn’t work, it may be wise to talk to an expert dryer technician or, better yet, Frigidaire.
Frigidaire Affinity Dryer Diagnostic Mode Not Working
What if you try to put your Frigidaire affinity dryer on diagnostic mode, and it doesn’t work? How do you explain that?
Well, it could be due to one of these issues:
- Wrong button sequence – You could have failed to press the correct button sequence. So the dryer won’t heed your command.
- Software glitch –You can expect your dryer to malfunction when there’s a software glitch, including not entering diagnostic mode.
- Control panel fault – If there’s an issue with the control panel and it becomes non-responsive, the dryer won’t enter diagnostic mode. This could result from a damaged control panel or a stuck key.
Fix
Double-check the button sequence to ensure you press the right buttons and wait long enough. As I explained earlier, you must wait 5-10 seconds after pressing the buttons.
In case of a software glitch, it may help to put your dryer in diagnostic mode. One way to run the Frigidaire affinity dryer reset is to pull the dryer out of the power for about 5-10 minutes before reconnecting the power supply.
Concluding Thought:
Above are the troubleshooting steps for common Frigidaire affinity dryer control board problems. It should now be easy to identify when the control board starts malfunctioning and possibly troubleshoot it quickly. Sometimes, that may mean resetting the dryer, but at other times, you’ve no choice but to replace the control board.
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