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.

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Other Dishwasher codes

FAE5 or F10E5KitchenAid Dishwasher Code FAE5 or F10E5: diverter leak, water under the dishwasher Front Status LightsKitchenAid Dishwasher Front Status Light Colors: what blue, red and white mean Front Status Lights Not IlluminatedKitchenAid Dishwasher Front Status Light Not Illuminated: no color during the cycle Glowing RedKitchenAid Dishwasher Sani Rinse Glowing Red: end-of-Cycle sanitize indicator H2OKitchenAid Dishwasher Display H2O: water not detected during fill 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

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.