Frigidaire Dryer E5B error code

The control watched the temperature sensor while the dryer was supposed to be heating, and the temperature never rose. Your dryer is tumbling but producing no heat.

Also shown as: E5B

Last updated: October 6, 2026

Quick answer: Frigidaire dryer error code E5B: no heat detected. The most common cause is burned-out or broken heating element. Try this first — check your circuit breaker. If that does not clear it, power-reset the dryer. If the code persists, call a qualified technician.

What causes the E5B error?

  • Burned-out or broken heating element
  • Failed temperature sensor (thermistor)
  • Tripped thermal limiter or blown thermal fuse
  • Faulty heater relay on the electronic control board
  • Broken wire in the heater circuit
  • On gas models: failed igniter or gas valve coils

How to fix Frigidaire E5B — step by step

Work through these in order, from simplest and safest first. Stop as soon as the code clears.

  1. Check your circuit breaker
    Electric dryers need 240 volts from two breaker halves. If one half tripped, the drum still tumbles but there is no heat. Find the double breaker for the dryer, switch it fully off, then fully on. If it trips again right away, stop and call an electrician.
    Safety warning: Do not keep resetting a breaker that trips repeatedly. That signals a real electrical fault.
  2. Power-reset the dryer
    Unplug the dryer or switch off its breaker for 10 minutes, then restore power. A control glitch can falsely report a heater fault. Run a high-heat cycle and check for warmth after 5 minutes.
  3. Clean the venting thoroughly
    Severely blocked vents overheat the dryer and trip the thermal limiter, which cuts the heater. Clean the lint filter, the vent hose, and the outside vent cap. This will not reset a blown one-time fuse, but it prevents the next one from blowing.
  4. Call a technician for component testing
    Finding the failed part means testing the element, thermistor, and thermal limiter for continuity with a meter. That requires opening the cabinet and working around high-voltage parts. A technician can pinpoint the failed part in one visit.
    Safety warning: Do not open the dryer cabinet or test live heater circuits yourself.

When to call a technician

Stop and call a qualified technician if any of these apply:
  • No heat after the breaker check and power reset
  • The thermal limiter or fuse has blown (it is a one-time safety part)
  • You suspect the heating element, thermistor, or control board
  • Any burning smell or scorch marks near the heater area

Frequently asked questions

The dryer tumbles but there is no heat. Is that E5B?

Yes, that is the classic symptom. The control expected the temperature to climb and it did not, so it logged E5B.

Can a tripped breaker cause E5B?

Yes. On electric dryers a half-tripped 240V breaker lets the motor run on 120V while the heater gets nothing. Always check the breaker first.

Will E5B clear by itself?

A power reset clears the code from the display, but if the heater fault is real the code returns as soon as the dryer tries to heat again.

Sources

Every meaning and fix above was checked against official manufacturer documentation:

FixCode provides general troubleshooting information only — not professional repair advice. If you are unsure about any step, stop and call a qualified technician. Repairs done incorrectly can be dangerous and may void your warranty.

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