# How to Fix Frigidaire Error E56 (High Motor Current)
This guide will help you understand and troubleshoot the E56 error on your Frigidaire washing machine, which generally indicates a high draw of power from the motor.
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## What Does the E56 Error Code Mean?
The E56 error code signifies that the motor assembly is drawing an **abnormally high amount of electrical current** (High Motor Current).
This is a safety mechanism. When the main control board detects this excessive current, it locks down the machine to prevent damage to the motor or the circuitry.
The E56 error is almost never caused by something minor like a blocked drain hose or a door lock. It points directly to one of the following serious issues:
1. **Faulty Motor Speed Control Board (Most Likely Culprit):** The board responsible for regulating power to the motor has failed internally and is sending too much current, or it is misreporting the current draw.
2. **Motor Failure:** The motor itself is defective, perhaps having locked bearings or internal shorts that cause it to demand too much power.
3. **Overloaded Tub/Mechanism:** A severe mechanical restriction or foreign object is jamming the drum, causing the motor to struggle and draw excessive current (Least common for E56).
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## Step-by-Step Fix: Diagnosing and Replacing the Motor Speed Control Board
**⚠️ SAFETY FIRST:** Always unplug the washing machine from the power outlet before opening the cabinet or attempting any inspection or repair. Failure to do so can result in severe electrical shock.
### Step 1: Perform a Power Cycle Reset
Before assuming a serious component failure, always attempt a hard reset to clear any temporary electronic glitches.
1. **Unplug** the washing machine completely from the wall outlet.
2. Wait a minimum of **5 to 10 minutes** to allow all residual electrical charge to dissipate from the control boards.
3. **Plug** the machine back in.
4. Run a short, empty cycle to see if the E56 error returns.
### Step 2: Check the Mechanical Load (Rule Out Jams)
If the machine is failing during a cycle, check the current load.
1. Open the door and manually attempt to rotate the inner drum (tub).
2. The drum should spin relatively freely. If it feels extremely stiff, heavy, or completely locked, there may be an item (like a sock or coin) caught between the inner and outer tubs, or the bearings may have seized. If this is the case, the motor is struggling and causing the high current error.
3. If the drum spins freely, the issue is electronic.
### Step 3: Visually Inspect the Control Boards and Wiring
If the drum spins freely, you must access the machine’s internal components (usually by removing the rear or top access panel).
1. **Locate the Motor Speed Control Board:** On many Frigidaire models, this dedicated board is separate from the main board and is often mounted near the motor, or sometimes near the base of the machine.
2. **Check for Burn Marks:** Inspect the connections on the Motor Speed Control Board. Look specifically for **scorched areas, black soot, or signs of heat damage** on the board, especially near the large wire connectors.
3. **Check Wiring Harnesses:** Ensure all harnesses leading to the motor and the control boards are seated tightly and show no signs of fraying or damage from water or vibration. Loose connections can sometimes cause erratic power readings.
### Step 4: Replace the Motor Speed Control Board (The Primary Solution)
Since the E56 code specifically indicates an issue with power regulation to the motor, and visual inspection often confirms no obvious mechanical blockage, the Motor Speed Control Board is the most likely culprit.
* **Note:** In modern appliances, component-level testing (like multimeter checks) on control boards is difficult and unreliable for high-current issues. Replacement is often the most practical and definitive fix.
**Replacement Steps:**
1. Ensure the machine is unplugged.
2. Carefully label or photograph the existing connections on the old board before removing them.
3. Unscrew and detach the faulty Motor Speed Control Board.
4. Install the new board, reattaching all harnesses securely.
5. Reassemble the machine panels.
6. Plug the machine back in and test a diagnostic or wash cycle.
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Check the price for a replacement Motor Speed Control Board here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Frigidaire+Motor Speed Control Board&tag=trivian-20