Reviewed by Liam Porter · Last reviewed August 11, 2026
Written by
Liam Porter Appliance Care EditorPublished September 2, 2026
Content status:
Verified
Error codeF1E1
ApplianceDishwasher
Affected model seriesKitchenAid appliances with electronic diagnostic displays (confirm your model)
Quick answer
Decode F1E1 for KitchenAid dishwasher owners: Main control / stuck relay.
Model compatibility: KitchenAid reuses codes across series and model years, so F1E1 may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
Plain language
What this code means
The control has detected a main-control or stuck-relay type fault. Power-cycle once; if F1E1 returns, the control or a connected load needs professional diagnosis. Exact KitchenAid fault text shifts by model and control generation — always confirm against your use & care guide or tech sheet.
Signs
Symptoms you may notice
The dishwasher shows F1E1 and controls act erratically
F1E1 appears at power-on
Programs won’t start reliably with F1E1
Why it happens
Possible causes
A control-board fault
A power or wiring irregularity
A firmware or electronics glitch
Before you call
Safe checks you can make
These are simple, non-hazardous checks only. If anything is unclear, stop and contact a technician.
Confirm stable power at the outlet
Perform a manufacturer-approved restart once
Record the full model number
Share freezer vs fridge temperatures, or wash/heat symptoms, when you book service
Important safety warning. Do not attempt repairs involving electrical components, gas, water lines, refrigerant or sealed systems. Unplug the appliance if it is safe to reach the outlet, and leave internal diagnostics to a qualified technician.
Please avoid
What not to attempt
Do not open internal panels or access high-voltage components
Do not bypass door locks, safety switches or interlocks
Get help
When to call a technician
Call Artisan Repair if F1E1 comes back, the appliance will not run safely, or you smell burning / see standing water near electrics.
Seeing this code on your KitchenAid appliance?
Book a specialist visit for a clear estimate and approval before any repair. Independent service — not an official KitchenAid service center.
For the exact record already present on the KitchenAid site, use the current verified meaning stored with that record. Do not replace it with a meaning taken from another appliance family just because the display look…
For the KitchenAid dishwasher record covered here, F3E1 is associated with thermistor circuit open or shorted. This wording should be read narrowly: it describes the system or condition the control is reporting, not a…
The control has detected a main-control or stuck-relay type fault. Power-cycle once; if F1E1 returns, the control or a connected load needs professional diagnosis.
Many KitchenAid codes drop after airflow, drain, or door issues are corrected. Returning F1E1 needs a tech.
Treat shared wording as a clue only — verify F1E1 before buying parts.
