KitchenAid Dishwasher Blink Pattern 8-1: not detecting water

What 8 Pause 1 Pause - pause, repeat means

On KitchenAid built-in dishwashers with the F#E# control, such as the KDPM604KPS and KDFE104HPS, eight blinks, a pause, one blink and a longer pause stands for F8E1, also shown as H2O. The dishwasher is not detecting water during its fill. The Clean light repeats this pattern and the cycle stops until water is detected. The tub stays dry or half filled until water is sensed again.

Common causes of 8 Pause 1 Pause - pause, repeat

The household water supply to the dishwasher is shut off or restricted.
The supply hose has a kink that limits the flow.
The inlet is blocked or the fill valve is not letting water in.

✓ One safe check you can try

1. Count eight blinks, pause, one blink. 2. Check that the water shutoff valve under the sink is fully open. 3. Look at the supply hose for kinks and straighten it. 4. Run the kitchen faucet to confirm you have water pressure. 5. Press Start and see whether the dishwasher fills and resumes.

! Why to stop there

A shut valve or kinked hose costs nothing to correct.
If water arrives and the blinks persist, the fill valve or sensing needs testing.
The estimate comes first in writing; repairs are guaranteed for 30 days.

Opening a panel yourself does not automatically cancel a manufacturer warranty, but it can cause accidental damage, and some manufacturers set their own service conditions. Check your warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.

→Same appliance

Other Dishwasher codes

Sanitize Light FlashingKitchenAid Dishwasher Sanitize Light Flashing: sanitization temperature not met Sanitized light blinking (legacy)KitchenAid Legacy Dishwasher Sanitized Light Blinking: load is not sanitized Start/Resume light blinking (legacy and current)KitchenAid Dishwasher Start/Resume Light Blinking: cycle paused, press within 4 seconds F7E2KitchenAid Dishwasher Code F7E2: wash motor error F8E1KitchenAid Dishwasher Code F8E1: not detecting water, same as H2O F8E2KitchenAid Dishwasher Code F8E2: fill valve electrical error F8E4KitchenAid Dishwasher Code F8E4: water in the base, drain sequence runs F8E5KitchenAid Dishwasher Code F8E5: the fill valve is stuck open

8 Pause 1 Pause - pause, repeat8 Pause 1 Pause - pause, repeat questions

What does the 8-1 blink tell me?

This pattern corresponds to the F8E1 or H2O display message. The dishwasher cannot detect incoming water, so the fill step does not complete and the cycle waits.

What is the first thing to check?

The supply valve under the sink and the supply hose. A half-closed valve or a kink can starve the fill, and both take a minute to check.

When do I call?

If the valve is open, the hose is straight and the blinks continue after pressing Start. We test the fill path and quote in writing first.