KitchenAid dishwashers are renowned for their reliability and efficiency, but like any appliance, they can sometimes run into issues. Error codes serve as diagnostic tools to help you troubleshoot problems effectively. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of all possible error codes for KitchenAid dishwashers, detailing their meanings, causes, and possible fixes, making it a one-stop solution for users.
KitchenAid Dishwasher Error Codes
| Error Code | Meaning | Cause | Possible Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Pause 5 Pause | Indicates a specific error condition. | This pattern often points to a malfunction in the dishwasher’s electronic components. | Reset the dishwasher by unplugging it for a few minutes, then reconnecting. |
| 1 Pause 1 Pause | Another specific error condition detected. | Generally related to control board malfunctions. | Try resetting the dishwasher; if the issue persists, inspect the control board for faults. |
| 6 Pause 1 Pause | An error indicating potential water issues. | This may occur if there is insufficient water flow. | Check the water inlet valve and supply line for blockages. |
| 8 Pause 1 Pause | Indicates a potential fault in the heating system. | Could be due to a malfunctioning heating element. | Inspect the heating element for functionality; replace it if necessary. |
| 8 Pause 4 Pause | Another error linked to heating or drying functions. | Possible sensor malfunction. | Check for a faulty sensor and replace it as needed. |
| 8 Pause 5 Pause | Similar to previous codes, indicating a heating problem. | Issues with water temperature sensing. | Inspect the thermistor for defects and replace it if faulty. |
| 9 Pause 1 Pause | Indicates a door or latch issue. | The door may not be sealing properly, causing a safety error. | Ensure the door latch is functioning correctly and that the door seals are intact. |
| All Cycle and Option Lights Flashing | This pattern signifies a general error. | It may indicate that the dishwasher is unable to complete its cycle. | Check for any blockages or malfunctions in the system and reset the dishwasher. |
| Clean Light Flashing | Indicates a potential issue with the cleaning process. | Could be due to a clogged filter or an issue with the spray arms. | Clean the filter and ensure the spray arms are not obstructed. |
| Sanitize Light Flashing | Indicates a failure in the sanitization process. | Could stem from inadequate water temperature or flow. | Verify the water heater and the proper functioning of the heating element. |
| E1 | Water supply issue detected. | Low water pressure or a faulty inlet valve. | Check the water connection and ensure that supply lines are clear. |
| E3 | Heating issue. | The dishwasher is not heating water to the required temperature. | Inspect the heating element and the thermostat for any defects. |
| E4 | Overflow detected. | Water levels are higher than normal, triggering the overflow sensor. | Check for leaks and ensure the float switch is functioning properly. |
| E6 | AquaSensor failure. | The sensor responsible for detecting water clarity is malfunctioning. | Clean the AquaSensor or replace it if it’s defective. |
| E7 | Low water inlet temperature. | The water entering the dishwasher is not hot enough. | Ensure the hot water supply is connected and functioning properly. |
| F1E1 | Stuck relay on the control board. | An electrical fault within the control system. | Restart the dishwasher; if it persists, inspect or replace the control board. |
| F2E2 | Communication error between components. | Faulty wiring or software issues. | Check connections and replace any damaged components. |
| F3E2 | Shorted thermistor. | A malfunctioning temperature sensor. | Replace the thermistor as necessary. |
| F4E3 | Drain pump issue. | A blockage or malfunction in the drain pump. | Clear any blockages or replace the pump if needed. |
| F6E1 | Dishwasher not filling with water. | Faulty water inlet valve or supply issue. | Check the water supply and replace the inlet valve if it’s defective. |
| F6E3 | Air or suds detected in the system. | Excess detergent or air trapped in the pump. | Reduce detergent use and run a rinse cycle. |
| F6E4 | Float switch malfunction. | The float switch is stuck or faulty. | Inspect and clear any obstructions from the float switch. |
| F7E2 | Heating element won’t turn off. | A relay or heating element malfunction. | Check the heating element and control board, replacing them as necessary. |
| F8E2 | Drain pump electrical fault. | A malfunction in the drain pump circuit. | Inspect and replace the drain pump if needed. |
| F8E4 | Water softener valve issue. | A fault in the valve controlling the water softener. | Replace or repair the water softener valve. |
| F8E5 | Water pressure sensor malfunction. | A defective pressure sensor. | Inspect and replace the pressure sensor if necessary. |
| F9E1 | Diverter motor failure. | The diverter motor may be stuck or malfunctioning. | Check the diverter motor and replace it if needed. |
| F9E2 | Diverter motor stuck on. | A continuous power supply to the motor. | Inspect the diverter motor for issues and replace if necessary. |
| FAE5 or F10E5 | Detergent dispenser failure. | The dispenser cannot open or close properly. | Check for mechanical obstructions and replace the dispenser mechanism. |
| H2O | Water supply issue. | The dishwasher cannot detect sufficient water supply. | Ensure the water supply is open and inspect the inlet valve for blockages. |
Understanding KitchenAid Dishwasher Error Codes
Error codes in KitchenAid dishwashers can come in various forms, including beep patterns, flashing lights, and alphanumeric combinations. Each type of code corresponds to specific issues that can arise during operation.
Beep Pattern Error Codes
10 Pause 5 Pause
Meaning: Indicates a specific error condition.
Cause: This pattern often points to a malfunction in the dishwasher’s electronic components.
Fix: Reset the dishwasher by unplugging it for a few minutes, then reconnecting.
1 Pause 1 Pause
Meaning: Another specific error condition detected.
Cause: Generally related to control board malfunctions.
Fix: Try resetting the dishwasher; if the issue persists, inspect the control board for faults.
6 Pause 1 Pause
Meaning: An error indicating potential water issues.
Cause: This may occur if there is insufficient water flow.
Fix: Check the water inlet valve and supply line for blockages.
8 Pause 1 Pause
Meaning: Indicates a potential fault in the heating system.
Cause: Could be due to a malfunctioning heating element.
Fix: Inspect the heating element for functionality; replace it if necessary.
8 Pause 4 Pause
Meaning: Another error linked to heating or drying functions.
Cause: Possible sensor malfunction.
Fix: Check for a faulty sensor and replace it as needed.
8 Pause 5 Pause
Meaning: Similar to previous codes, indicating a heating problem.
Cause: Issues with water temperature sensing.
Fix: Inspect the thermistor for defects and replace it if faulty.
9 Pause 1 Pause
Meaning: Indicates a door or latch issue.
Cause: The door may not be sealing properly, causing a safety error.
Fix: Ensure the door latch is functioning correctly and that the door seals are intact.
Flashing Lights Error Codes
All Cycle and Option Lights Flashing
Meaning: This pattern signifies a general error.
Cause: It may indicate that the dishwasher is unable to complete its cycle.
Fix: Check for any blockages or malfunctions in the system and reset the dishwasher.
Clean Light Flashing
Meaning: Indicates a potential issue with the cleaning process.
Cause: Could be due to a clogged filter or an issue with the spray arms.
Fix: Clean the filter and ensure the spray arms are not obstructed.
Sanitize Light Flashing
Meaning: Indicates a failure in the sanitization process.
Cause: Could stem from inadequate water temperature or flow.
Fix: Verify the water heater and the proper functioning of the heating element.
Numeric Error Codes
E1
Meaning: Water supply issue detected.
Cause: Low water pressure or a faulty inlet valve.
Fix: Check the water connection and ensure that supply lines are clear.
E3
Meaning: Heating issue.
Cause: The dishwasher is not heating water to the required temperature.
Fix: Inspect the heating element and the thermostat for any defects.
E4
Meaning: Overflow detected.
Cause: Water levels are higher than normal, triggering the overflow sensor.
Fix: Check for leaks and ensure the float switch is functioning properly.
E6
Meaning: AquaSensor failure.
Cause: The sensor responsible for detecting water clarity is malfunctioning.
Fix: Clean the AquaSensor or replace it if it’s defective.
E7
Meaning: Low water inlet temperature.
Cause: The water entering the dishwasher is not hot enough.
Fix: Ensure the hot water supply is connected and functioning properly.
Letter-Number Error Codes
F1E1
Meaning: Stuck relay on the control board.
Cause: An electrical fault within the control system.
Fix: Restart the dishwasher; if it persists, inspect or replace the control board.
F2E2
Meaning: Communication error between components.
Cause: Faulty wiring or software issues.
Fix: Check connections and replace any damaged components.
F3E2
Meaning: Shorted thermistor.
Cause: A malfunctioning temperature sensor.
Fix: Replace the thermistor as necessary.
F4E3
Meaning: Drain pump issue.
Cause: A blockage or malfunction in the drain pump.
Fix: Clear any blockages or replace the pump if needed.
F6E1
Meaning: Dishwasher not filling with water.
Cause: Faulty water inlet valve or supply issue.
Fix: Check the water supply and replace the inlet valve if it’s defective.
F6E3
Meaning: Air or suds detected in the system.
Cause: Excess detergent or air trapped in the pump.
Fix: Reduce detergent use and run a rinse cycle.
F6E4
Meaning: Float switch malfunction.
Cause: The float switch is stuck or faulty.
Fix: Inspect and clear any obstructions from the float switch.
F7E2
Meaning: Heating element won’t turn off.
Cause: A relay or heating element malfunction.
Fix: Check the heating element and control board, replacing them as necessary.
F8E2
Meaning: Drain pump electrical fault.
Cause: A malfunction in the drain pump circuit.
Fix: Inspect and replace the drain pump if needed.
F8E4
Meaning: Water softener valve issue.
Cause: A fault in the valve controlling the water softener.
Fix: Replace or repair the water softener valve.
F8E5
Meaning: Water pressure sensor malfunction.
Cause: A defective pressure sensor.
Fix: Inspect and replace the pressure sensor if necessary.
F9E1
Meaning: Diverter motor failure.
Cause: The diverter motor may be stuck or malfunctioning.
Fix: Check the diverter motor and replace it if needed.
F9E2
Meaning: Diverter motor stuck on.
Cause: A continuous power supply to the motor.
Fix: Inspect the diverter motor for issues and replace if necessary.
FAE5 or F10E5
Meaning: Detergent dispenser failure.
Cause: The dispenser cannot open or close properly.
Fix: Check for mechanical obstructions and replace the dispenser mechanism.
H2O
Meaning: Water supply issue.
Cause: The dishwasher cannot detect sufficient water supply.
Fix: Ensure the water supply is open and inspect the inlet valve for blockages.
Conclusion
Understanding the various error codes of your KitchenAid dishwasher is essential for effective troubleshooting. The most common solutions include checking the water supply, cleaning filters, and replacing faulty parts. Regular maintenance, such as keeping the appliance clean and using the correct detergent, can help prevent many issues.
If you encounter persistent problems that these steps don’t resolve, it may be time to call a professional technician to ensure your dishwasher operates smoothly. With this guide, you now have a comprehensive resource to address and troubleshoot all possible error codes for KitchenAid dishwashers.