Appliance Spares
Quick answer: Whirlpool dishwashers show F-codes, often paired with an E-number (F8E1, F6E4) on newer models and as E1 to E8 on older ones. F1/E1 is the temperature sensor or control, F2/E2 a stuck key or water leak, F3/E3 heating, F4/E4 drain, F6 no water in (F6E1 inlet valve, F6E4 flow meter), F7 flow meter, F8 drain (F8E1 slow drain, F8E4 drain pump), F9 continuous fill or drain pump, FA turbidity sensor, FB the diverter and FC water hardness. Clean the filter and check the tap; a code that returns names the part.
Not sure which one fits? Match your model number or check the sticker inside the door.
Every brand’s error codes in one index · Find your exact part
Last updated September 2026
Whirlpool dishwashers report faults in two formats. Older and simpler models show F1 to FC, sometimes as E1 to E8 or as a number of flashes on the Start light. Newer models pair the F-number with an E-number that narrows the fault: F8E1 is a slow drain, F8E4 is the drain pump itself. Either way the first character names the system, so an F8 is always drainage and an F6 is always water intake.
This guide covers the Whirlpool freestanding and built-in dishwashers sold in Australia, including the WFC, WFO, WIC, WIO and ADP series and the Whirlpool-built models sold under the Bauknecht and Ignis badges. For each code you get the plain meaning, the likely cause and the part or check that clears it. Most Whirlpool codes are the filter, the tap or the float, and only a few are electronics.
Whirlpool dishwasher error codes: quick-reference table
Codes are listed as they appear on the display. Where two generations of the platform use different codes for the same fault, both are shown. Always confirm against the manual for your exact model before ordering a part.
| Code | What it means | Most likely cause | What to do / the part |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 / E1 | Temperature sensor or control board fault (F1E1 is the board) | Sensor open or short, steam corrosion on the board | Replace the temperature sensor; board repair for F1E1 |
| F2 / E2 | Stuck key (F2E1) or water leak detected (F2 on older models) | Condensation on the keypad, water in the base | Dry the panel; empty the base and find the leak |
 F3 / E3 | Water not heated to temperature in time | Heating element failed, sensor, heater relay | Test the element for continuity; replace the element or sensor — fit the Whirlpool Dishwasher Heating Element ADP6000WH, ADP6000IX, ADP6000IK, ADP6000 |
| F4 / E4 | Water not drained | Blocked filter, kinked hose, drain pump failed | Clean the filter and hose; replace the drain pump if it hums without pumping |
| F5 / E5 | Spray arm or circulation fault | Blocked spray arm, circulation pump | Clear the spray arm holes; check the circulation pump |
 F6 / E6 | No water coming in (F6E1 inlet valve, F6E4 flow meter) | Tap off, hose kinked, screen blocked, inlet valve or flow meter | Open the tap, clean the screen; replace the inlet valve or flow meter — fit the Midea IAG Technica Delongh SMEG Whirlpool Dishwasher Inlet Valve |
 F7 | Flow meter fault | Flow meter not counting, blocked screen | Clean the screen; replace the flow meter — fit the Dishwasher Aquastop Water Inlet Hose Smeg Omega DWA Series 0331 |
| F8 / E8 | Drain fault (F8E1 slow drain, F8E4 drain pump) | Filter, hose, pump | Clean the filter; replace the drain pump for F8E4 |
 F9 / E9 | Continuous fill, or drain pump running constantly (F9E1) | Inlet valve not closing, float switch, drain pump | Turn off the tap: if it fills when off, replace the inlet valve; empty the base if the float is up — fit the Dishwasher Aquastop Water Inlet Hose Blanco Omega Bellini 0331 |
| FA | Turbidity sensor fault | Sensor dirty or failed | Clean the sensor window; replace if it repeats |
| FB | Motorised diverter fault | Diverter jammed or its motor failed | Clear debris; replace the diverter |
| FC | Water hardness sensor fault | Sensor or salt system | Check the salt reservoir; service if it repeats |
| Start light flashing (no display) | Fault shown as flash count | Count the flashes between pauses | Match the count to the F-number above |
Reading F-E pairs on a newer Whirlpool
On models with a display the code arrives as two parts, F then E, sometimes alternating. The F number is the system and the E number the detail. F8E1 says drainage, slow; F8E4 says drainage, pump. F6E1 says water in, inlet valve; F6E4 says water in, flow meter. Write both down before you power off, because the E number is what separates a hose check from a part.
F4, F8 and F6: filter, hose, tap
Drainage codes start with the filter: lift out the filter assembly in the base of the tub, rinse the fine mesh, then reach into the sump and clear the drain pump impeller of glass and food. Check the drain hose is not kinked and its loop is high enough to stop siphoning. F6 is the opposite direction: open the tap fully, straighten the inlet hose and clean the screen where it meets the machine. Only when those are clear is the pump or the valve the part.
F3: cold dishes
F3 means the water never reached temperature. On most Whirlpool models the heater is a flow-through element on the circulation pump, tested for continuity with the machine unplugged and replaced as an assembly when it reads open. If the element is fine, the temperature sensor is next, then the heater relay on the board.
Whirlpool dishwasher parts in stock in Sydney
These are the parts behind the codes above that we hold in stock and ship Australia-wide. Match the model number on your model sticker before ordering, or run it through the Part Finder and let it match for you. Every part we hold for the brand is listed on the Whirlpool parts page, and by model on the model pages; the wider range is in the dishwasher parts store.
- Whirlpool Dishwasher Heating Element ADP6000WH, ADP6000IX, ADP6000IK, ADP6000
- Midea IAG Technica Delongh SMEG Whirlpool Dishwasher Inlet Valve
- Dishwasher Aquastop Water Inlet Hose Smeg Omega DWA Series 0331
- Dishwasher Aquastop Water Inlet Hose Blanco Omega Bellini 0331
- Fisher Paykel Dishwasher Heating Element DW60CDW2, DW60CDX2, DW60CE
- OMEGA DISHWASHER HEATING ELEMENT 1800W
- ELECTROLUX DISHLEX WESTINGHOUSE DISHWASHER INLET VALVE 0172
- Nouveau Dishwasher Inlet Valve ND60SS1, ND60W1
Is it safe to fix an error code yourself?
Most of the codes above are cleared with a filter clean, a hose check or a plug-in part swap, and those are ordinary DIY jobs: unplug the machine, photograph the wiring before you unplug anything, and never bypass a door lock or a thermal cut-out. Anything involving the sealed refrigerant circuit, gas, or a mains-side repair belongs with a licensed repairer.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reset a Whirlpool dishwasher error code?
Switch the machine off, turn it off at the wall for one minute, then restart the program. A code that returns as soon as the machine reaches the same step is a real fault and needs the check or part in the table.
What does F8E4 mean on a Whirlpool dishwasher?
A drain pump fault. Clean the filter and clear the impeller first; if the pump still hums without moving water, replace the drain pump.
What does F6E1 mean?
No water coming in: the inlet valve. Check the tap, hose and screen first, then replace the inlet valve.
What is F2E1 on a Whirlpool dishwasher?
A stuck key, usually from condensation behind the keypad after the drying cycle. Dry the panel and power-cycle; replace the panel if it repeats.
Why does my Whirlpool dishwasher show F3 and wash cold?
The heating element or temperature sensor has failed. Test the element for continuity and replace it if open.
Where is the model number on a Whirlpool dishwasher?
Open the door and look at the sticker on the edge of the door or the side of the tub. The model reads like WFC3C26 or ADP 6000. Use it to match parts or run it through our Part Finder.
Read the code, then fit the part
F then E: system then detail. Filter, tap and float clear most; the pump, valve and element are the parts behind the rest. Find your Whirlpool part now
Disclaimer: this article is general information only and is provided without warranty of any kind. Appliance designs vary between models and production runs — always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, switch off and unplug the appliance before starting any work, and confirm parts against the model number on your appliance’s model sticker. Any repair is undertaken at your own risk and Oz Appliance Spares accepts no liability for injury, loss or damage arising from work performed after reading this guide, to the maximum extent permitted by law. If in doubt, use a qualified technician.
