Frigidaire Dishwasher Error Code HO

HO stands for water heat delay on a Frigidaire dishwasher. It means the control board has detected that the water temperature is too low to proceed with the wash cycle and is pausing to allow the heating element to bring the water up to the required temperature. This is a normal part of operation and is not a fault code in most cases. The cycle should resume automatically once the water reaches the correct temperature.

The HO code itself is not a safety hazard. It simply means the dishwasher is waiting to reach a safe and effective wash temperature before continuing. If the code is caused by a failed heating element or faulty wiring, those components should be inspected and repaired by a qualified technician, but there is no immediate danger to the user while the machine displays HO.

If the issue is simply low water supply temperature, there is no repair cost involved. Replacing a heating element typically costs between 20 and 80 dollars for the part, with additional labor costs if a technician is hired. A replacement thermistor is generally less expensive, usually in the range of 10 to 40 dollars for the part. A control board replacement is the most expensive possibility, with parts often ranging from 80 to 200 dollars or more depending on the model.

If the code appears briefly and the cycle resumes, no action is needed. To reduce how often it appears, try running hot water at your kitchen sink for about a minute before starting the dishwasher, which clears cold water from the supply line. If the HO display does not clear after an extended period, check the heating element and thermistor for continuity using a multimeter, and inspect the wiring connections at those components for damage or corrosion.

Resetting the dishwasher by canceling the cycle or cutting power may temporarily clear the HO display, but it will reappear if the underlying condition still exists. If low incoming water temperature is the cause, the display will return at the start of each cycle until the water supply temperature is addressed. If a failed component is causing the code, resetting will not resolve the problem.