KitchenAid Dishwasher Blink Pattern 9-1: long drain

What 9 Pause 1 Pause - pause, repeat means

KitchenAid built-in dishwashers with the F#E# control, including the KDTM404KPS and KDTE204KPS, blink nine times, pause, blink once and pause longer for F9E1. It is a long drain: water takes too long to leave the tub. The Clean light repeats the pattern, and you may find standing water in the bottom of the dishwasher. Dishes stay wet and the tub holds a pool of dirty water.

Common causes of 9 Pause 1 Pause - pause, repeat

The filter at the bottom of the tub is clogged.
The drain hose is kinked or blocked.
A disposer knockout plug that was never removed, or an air gap clogged with debris.
The drain pump is not clearing water fast enough.

✓ One safe check you can try

1. Count nine blinks, pause, one blink. 2. Remove the lower rack and clean the filter under running water. 3. Check the drain hose behind the dishwasher for kinks. 4. If you have a disposer, run it empty to clear the connection. 5. Clean the air gap, if you have one, and try a short cycle.

! Why to stop there

A clogged filter is a quick home fix; a blocked pump or line needs tools.
Water left standing in the tub can smell.
Price on paper first, repairs backed 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

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 F9E1KitchenAid Dishwasher Code F9E1: long drain, check filter and hose

9 Pause 1 Pause - pause, repeat9 Pause 1 Pause - pause, repeat questions

Why does the dishwasher blink nine times, then once?

It is the blink form of F9E1, a long drain. The dishwasher cannot pump out water quickly enough, so the cycle halts. Both take only a few minutes with a flashlight.

What is the easiest fix?

Clean the filter and straighten the drain hose. These two checks solve many cases. If you have a disposer, make sure the knockout plug was removed at installation.

When do you step in?

When the filter, hose and air gap are clear and the pattern remains. We test the drain pump, quote in writing first, and warrant our work for 30 days.