KitchenAid Dishwasher Error Codes
Every documented KitchenAid dishwasher fault code, what it means, what usually causes it, and what's safe to check yourself before calling a technician.
How KitchenAid shows a fault
KitchenAid dishwashers report faults one of two ways depending on the control panel. Models with a numeric display show the code directly, in an "F#E#" format such as F7E2, once you wake the screen. Models without a numeric display — typically ones with a Clean light or a status light near the buttons — use a two-part flashing sequence instead: the light flashes rapidly to count off the first digit, pauses for a second or two, flashes again to count off the second digit, then pauses longer before repeating the whole sequence. Seven quick flashes, a pause, one flash, a pause, and a repeat is the same fault as F7E2 shown as text. A handful of KitchenAid dishwashers also show a few faults as plain text rather than an F#E# pair — H2O being the example documented on this site.
Either way, the first number identifies a broad fault category and the second narrows it to a specific condition inside that category, which is why the two digits are always read and written together rather than separately.
Every KitchenAid code on this site
| Code | Severity | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| F1E1 | Medium | Control module fault — the electronic control halted on an internal error |
| F2E1 | Low | Stuck key / console error — a touchpad button is reading as held down |
| F6E1 | Medium | User interface and main control board aren't communicating |
| F7E2 | High | Wash motor error — the circulation pump isn't performing as expected |
| F8E4 | High | Water detected in the drip tray — an active leak |
| F8E5 | High | Inlet fill valve stuck open, forcing a protective drain |
| F9E1 | Medium | Long-drain fault — the tub isn't emptying in time |
| H2O | Medium | No water detected entering the unit during fill |
No code showing — just a problem?
If nothing is flashing and there's no F#E# code at all, start from what the dishwasher is actually doing instead:
- Dishwasher Won't Start
- Dishwasher Stuck or Stopped Mid-Cycle
- Dishwasher Leak Detected / Water Under the Unit
- Dishwasher Not Draining
- Dishwasher Not Filling With Water
Don't have your code in hand yet, or want to search across every brand at once? The code lookup tool covers KitchenAid alongside Bosch, Samsung, LG, and Whirlpool.