6-1 — (F6E1) Error — User Interface / Main Control Error
6-1 — shown as F6E1 on models with a display, or as the Clean light flashing 6 times, pause, 1 time — means the dishwasher's user interface and main control have hit an internal error. KitchenAid's published fix is a power cycle; if the code returns, the control panel or main board needs service. Note: some older service charts list 6-1 as a water-fill error — KitchenAid's current documentation assigns the fill meaning to 8-1, and this page follows KitchenAid.
- Keep using it?
- Yes, with caution
- DIY difficulty
- Moderate
- Verified against
- producthelp.kitchenaid.com ↗
How to fix it
- Turn the dishwasher off at the breaker (or unplug it), wait 5 minutes, and restore power. This is KitchenAid's published first remedy.
- Run a short cycle. If it completes without the code, treat it as a one-time glitch.
- If 6-1 / F6E1 returns, call for service — the fix is at the control panel or main control board, and diagnosing which is the failed part requires testing the pair.
Why it happens
Typical signs: Clean light flashing 6-1 (6 flashes, pause, 1 flash), or F6E1 on the display · Buttons unresponsive or the cycle will not start · Dishwasher stops mid-cycle
- Momentary control glitch A power blip or brownout can scramble the control long enough to latch the error. A clean power cycle often clears it for good.
- User interface fault The touch panel/keypad assembly can fail or lose its connection to the main control.
- Main control board fault The main board itself can fail; if a power cycle never holds, this or the UI is the usual endpoint.
More KitchenAid dishwasher codes
Always unplug an appliance before servicing it. This guide is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for a qualified technician. Verified against manufacturer documentation: producthelp.kitchenaid.com.