KitchenAid dishwasher F6E3 reports excessive suds. Owner help gives the common causes and the full suds removal sequence.
Model compatibility: KitchenAid reuses codes across series and model years, so F6E3 may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
What this code means
F6E3 is excessive suds detected by the sensing system; the dishwasher may not operate properly or may not fill with water.
Foam is the subject of F6E3. KitchenAid names excessive suds as the potential cause, and its owner-help page lets you clear them at the sink. It warns that once the sensing system picks up foam, the dishwasher may fail to operate properly or to fill with water.
At a glance
| Code | F6E3 |
|---|---|
| What it means | F6E3 is excessive suds detected by the sensing system; the dishwasher may not operate properly or may not fill with water. |
| What you can check | Remove the visible suds from the tub with a plastic cup, take out the dishes, add 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable cooking oil, then run one full empty cycle without detergent and another with only the detergent cups filled. |
| When to call a technician | Should the code still show once the tub is clear of foam and both empty cycles are done, there is no further owner step, so schedule service and mention which soap you used. |
Where suds usually come from
- A wrong soap: laundry detergent, hand soap, or dish detergent meant for hand washing
- A rinse aid dispenser whose cap was not put back after filling
- Too much dishwasher detergent
Step-by-step removal
- See whether there is foam at the bottom of the tub.
- Take out all the suds you can using a plastic cup.
- Remove the dishes from the dishwasher.
- Add 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable cooking oil to the bottom; KitchenAid says that suppresses suds.
- Run a complete cycle empty, with no detergent.
- Run another complete cycle, now with the detergent dispenser cups filled but still no dishes.
Staying clear of suds
About every 30 days, KitchenAid recommends cleaning the dishwasher, and it names affresh Dishwasher Cleaner monthly as a way to limit films and odors. Use detergent that is made for automatic dishwashers.
A code without foam
The owner-help article is written for a tub with foam in it. For F6E3 the service tables add nothing beyond the same meaning. With a clean tub and the code back, the source gives no more owner steps; note the code and schedule service.
Related KitchenAid dishwasher codes
- F8E4: owner help includes excess suds along with the drip tray
- F6E4: the water float switch, first asking about leveling
Dishwasher service for suds and fill problems in our metro areas
In the Miami, New York, Houston, Los Angeles and San Diego metro areas, call (844) 919-2035 if F6E3 stays after the cleanup. It helps to say what soap went in and what the two cycles did.
Source: KitchenAid Product Help, Dishwasher Error Code or Flashing Lights; KitchenAid Tech Sheet W10750900 Rev C; KitchenAid Job Aid W10573282
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.
Sources & references
Tell us what’s wrong — we’ll take it from there
Share a few details and we’ll confirm an appointment. Prefer to talk? Call us and we’ll help right away.
Request your repair
Fields marked with * are required.