On the covered Whirlpool dishwasher, F6 E4, F6 E6, F6 E7, F6 E8 means the water float switch, or on the older tables the float, the incoming water temperature, the flow meter or the water softener valve First, check the dishwasher is level and the float moves freely.
Differential
Likely causes of “Whirlpool dishwasher code F6 E4, F6 E6, F6 E7, F6 E8”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A dishwasher that is not level
What separates it The code appears on a fresh installation or after the dishwasher was moved
How to confirm Whirlpool says incorrect leveling can actuate the overfill float switch
- 2
An item stuck under the overfill float
What separates it The float does not drop freely when the tub empties
How to confirm Check for and remove anything under the float
- 3
A water inlet valve stuck open
What separates it The dishwasher fills constantly and does not stop until the float trips
How to confirm The older table says a stuck-open valve makes the dishwasher fill constantly, tripping the float switch
- 4
A failed float switch
What separates it The float moves freely and the valve is fine
How to confirm With the tub near empty the switch should read near 0 ohms; infinite resistance means the switch is replaced
- 5
Older-table water codes F6 E6, F6 E7 and F6 E8
What separates it The code is one of these instead of F6 E4
How to confirm Follow the steps for each of these codes further down
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact display: F6 E4, F6 E6, F6 E7 or F6 E8
- Whether the dishwasher sits level in its cabinet
- Whether the dishwasher fills constantly or keeps filling
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleCheck the dishwasher is level and the float moves freely.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleLevel the dishwasher, clear the float, then test the switch or valve the older table names.
Level the dishwasher
ReversibleWhirlpool's F6 E4 page names the water float switch and says to level the dishwasher, then cycle the power for 30 seconds.
Clear and test the float
ReversibleThe older tables say to remove anything stuck under the overfill float, and to check whether the inlet valve is shutting off the water when the dishwasher is off. Unplug the dishwasher and check the resistance through the float switch: near 0 ohms with the tub empty or nearly empty is normal, and infinite resistance means the switch is defective.
For F6 E6, check the water heater
ReversibleThe Global HE table says that for incoming water that is too cold, use an accurate thermometer; if the water is lower than 110 degrees Fahrenheit check the water heater, and if it is normal (110 to 120 degrees) replace the thermistor/OWI or the electronic control board.
For F6 E7 and F6 E8, test the parts
ReversibleF6 E7 is a flow meter fault: check the wiring, then replace the flow meter. F6 E8 is a water softener regeneration valve fault: the MicroClean HE table says the circuit should measure 890 to 1,090 ohms; in range, replace the control board; infinite, test at the valve, and replace the water softener tank assembly if it is infinite there, or the harness if the valve reads in range.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- F6 E4, F6 E6, F6 E7 or F6 E8 (6-4, 6-6, 6-7, 6-8 on the older tables).
- Meter readings
- Near 0 ohms across the float switch when the tub is empty; 890 to 1,090 ohms through the regeneration valve circuit.
- Parts named by the service tables
- Overfill float switch; water inlet valve; flow meter; water softener regeneration valve or tank assembly; thermistor/OWI.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Unplug the dishwasher before you test the float switch or any valve
- !Shut off the water supply if the dishwasher keeps filling
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The meter readings are the older tables' own.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does F6 E4, F6 E6, F6 E7, F6 E8 mean on a Whirlpool dishwasher?+
the water float switch, or on the older tables the float, the incoming water temperature, the flow meter or the water softener valve
What should the float switch read?+
Near 0 ohms with the tub empty or nearly empty, per the older table.
How cold is too cold?+
The Global HE table says below 110 degrees Fahrenheit; normal is 110 to 120.
What resistance should the softener valve circuit read?+
890 to 1,090 ohms per the MicroClean HE table.