--- title: "Dexter F13: the controller cannot reach the motor drive" description: "What F13 means on Dexter F13: the controller cannot reach the motor drives, what to check before booking, and when it is not a failure at all." url: "https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f13/" --- # Dexter F13: the controller cannot reach the motor drive F13 means the washer computer and the drive are not talking. ## What F13 actually means. F13 means the washer computer and the drive are not talking. Dexter's steps focus on the data cable between them: unplugged, pulled sideways or with worn connectors. F13 also shows if the machine was powered back on before the drive's three-minute reset time. Dexter commercial appliance display · also shown as COMM ERROR 4 What to do when F13 shows on the commercial appliance ### Kind of code Controls and power The controller itself is reporting trouble, or the supply behind it is: a display with dead segments, a keypad that stopped responding after steam or degreaser got behind it, relays that stick, stored recipes or cycles that vanished overnight, a blown control fuse, or one leg of a three-phase feed missing so half the heat or the pump is gone. A full power cycle at the breaker, done as the manual describes, clears a passing glitch; a code that returns, a scorched smell or any sign of moisture behind the panel means the breaker stays off, and that is a visit. ### Usually leads to Commercial controls and board repair Controllers, touch panels, relays, contactors and interlocks tested, and replaced only when the evidence says so. ### Shows up as Commercial Appliance Error Code on a Combi, Fryer, Dish Machine or Laundry Display A commercial appliance error code appears as letters or numbers on a combi, fryer, reach-in controller, dish machine or laundry machine display, or as a flashing light or an alarm tone. ### Make Dexter A Dexter call in a laundromat is often set for opening time, before customers load the row and every pocket of the room is in use. ### Source Dexter common troubleshooting and error code reference for T-Series vended front-loads (Part 8533, 9/19) Dexter T-Series vended front-load machines (T-300 through T-1450) covered by Dexter's 2019 troubleshooting reference; the drive codes come from the variable frequency drive these models use. ## Before you book, in this order. Each step comes from Dexter's own guidance for F13 on its commercial appliances. Follow it to the end: the last card says whether this is a visit. 01 Power the machine off and leave it off for a full three minutes. 02 Power back on and see whether F13 returns. 03 Book a visit if it does; the data cable and its connectors are inside the machine. ### Still there? It usually turns into [commercial controls and board repair](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/services/commercial-controls-and-board-repair/). Book with the code and the model number. ### What not to do F13 does not mean the motor failed. It also differs from F21, which is an internal drive error. ## What you may notice with it. The commercial appliance problem F13 tends to arrive with. Answer these at the commercial appliance before anyone is booked. [All problems](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/problems/) Before you call ### [Commercial Appliance Error Code on a Combi, Fryer, Dish Machine or Laundry Display](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/problems/commercial-error-code/) [All 8 causes, cheapest first](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/problems/commercial-error-code/) Problem ### Commercial Appliance Error Code on a Combi, Fryer, Dish Machine or Laundry Display 8 causes, cheapest first Where F13 usually leads ## Commercial controls and board repair. **Controller, touch panel, probe or sensor, relay, contactor, power supply, door switch or interlock, tested before anything is changed · moderate.** Book a visit [What the job involves](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/services/commercial-controls-and-board-repair/) ## Dexter commercial appliances. A Dexter call in a laundromat is often set for opening time, before customers load the row and every pocket of the room is in use. [Dexter commercial appliance repair](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/brands/dexter/) More Dexter codes [F1](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f1/) [F2](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f2/) [F3](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f3/) [F8](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f8/) [F9](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f9/) [F14](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f14/) [F15](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f15/) [F16](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f16/) [F17](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f17/) [F18](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f18/) [F19](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f19/) [TEMP SENSOR SHORT](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-temp-sensor-short/) [All 15 Dexter codes](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/#codes-dexter) Controls and power on other makes [Alto-Shaam E02](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/alto-shaam-e02/) [Beverage-Air uLi](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/beverage-air-uli/) [Blodgett Com Error](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/blodgett-com-error/) [Delfield uLi](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/delfield-uli/) [Frymaster E19](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/frymaster-e19/) [Garland E01](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/garland-e01/) [Hatco Communication Error](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/hatco-communication-error/) [Henny Penny E-4](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/henny-penny-e-4/) [All 59 codes of this kind](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/#family-board) Dexter builds this ### Commercial laundry equipment Coin, card and app-paid front-load machines, washer-extractors, stacked units and tumble dryers in laundromats, multi-housing laundry rooms, hotels, gyms and on-premise laundries. ## In Dexter's own words > This error is when the washer controller cannot communicate with the drive. [Dexter common troubleshooting and error code reference for T-Series vended front-loads (Part 8533, 9/19)](https://www.dexter.com/upl/downloads/library/common-washer-troubleshooting-and-fault-codes.pdf) [Dexter common troubleshooting and error code reference for T-Series vended front-loads (Part 8533, 9/19)](https://www.dexter.com/upl/downloads/library/common-washer-troubleshooting-and-fault-codes.pdf) Every code on this site is taken from the manufacturer's documentation, never from a forum or a parts listing. Dexter T-Series vended front-load machines (T-300 through T-1450) covered by Dexter's 2019 troubleshooting reference; the drive codes come from the variable frequency drive these models use. ## Dexter F13 commercial appliance repair, where we come out. The same visit in every metro below: the code, the model number, and a diagnosis before any part is ordered. 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Power the machine off and leave it off for a full three minutes. If it comes back, it needs a visit. ### Why does F13 appear on a Dexter after a quick power reset? Dexter says power must stay off for three minutes. A quick reset can leave the drive out of step and show F13. ### Is the F13 cable expensive to replace on a Dexter? Dexter's first fix is reseating or replacing the data cable, which is usually a simple part. ### Does F13 lock the door on a Dexter? The door stays locked until the drum stops, then unlocks. --- **[Read on the site: Dexter F13: the controller cannot reach the motor drive](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f13/)** **[Book a visit with CommercialApplianceRepair.center](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/schedule/)**