Whirlpool · Dishwasher Serious
E4 — Overfill / Water in Drip Tray
A leak sensor in the drip tray under the dishwasher detected water. The dishwasher disables fill and pumps continuously to prevent flooding.
- Keep using it?
- Limited use only
- DIY difficulty
- Easy
- Verified against
- producthelp.whirlpool.com ↗
How to fix it
- Press Cancel once to silence the alarm; leave the door closed so the drain pump can finish.
- Pull the toe-kick and look in the drip tray — sop up any standing water and find the source.
- Tighten the water supply connection at the inlet valve; confirm the rubber washer is seated.
- Inspect all internal hoses and the sump for leaks; replace any that drip.
- Verify the leak sensor / float switch in the drip tray is connected.
- Press Cancel a second time to clear the code and run a Rinse cycle to verify dry.
Why it happens
Typical signs: E4 on display (F8E4 on newer models) · Alarm tone · Drain pump runs continuously · Visible water under the dishwasher
- Loose water supply connection at inlet valve Common on new installs — rubber washer not seated.
- Leaking pump or hose inside the dishwasher Cracked sump, perished hose, or failed pump seal.
- Disconnected float switch in drip tray Connector backed off the leak sensor.
- Suds overflow Using hand dish soap pushed suds out and into the drip tray.
More Whirlpool 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.whirlpool.com.