Written by
Elena Marsh Appliance Care EditorPublished October 29, 2026
VERIFIED
Error codeF2E1 (2-1)
ApplianceDishwasher
What F2E1 says
A button on the user interface registers as held down. Kenmore HE, Global HE and MicroClean HE dishwashers carry this code, and the manufacturer’s general help calls it a console or stuck-key error.
Owner steps
Try each key on the panel and mark any that does not respond.
Disconnect the dishwasher from power for half a minute, then reconnect it.
A repeat of F2E1 means booking service.
The longer test technicians run
With the power unplugged, the user interface control’s wire harness is disconnected.
Power goes back on, and at least 7 seconds must pass before the door is shut.
Drain pump runs afterward: the fault lies with the user interface control.
Pump stays quiet: the board is still picking up stuck buttons, which makes it the faulty part.
Related display codes
F2E2: the panel loses contact with the board entirely.
Customers in San Francisco and the Bay Area who still see F2E1 can ring (415) 825-6393 to book a technician, or read about Kenmore dishwasher repair. Give the model number and the steps you have already taken.
Model compatibility: Kenmore reuses codes across series and model years, so F2E1 (2-1) 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
F2E1 (2-1) indicates a stuck key or console error.
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.
Seeing this code on your Kenmore appliance?
Book a specialist visit for a clear estimate and approval before any repair.
You submit a request with your appliance model and symptom, we confirm an appointment window, and a technician performs an on-site diagnosis. You then receive a clear estimate and decide whether to proceed before any repair begins.
Yes. We provide an upfront estimate after diagnosis. No parts are ordered or installed until you approve the work, so there are no surprise charges.
Replacement parts are selected for the exact model and confirmed with you before ordering or installation.
Service areas are listed on the Locations page. Contact us with your ZIP code to confirm current coverage for your address.
Ready to get your Kenmore appliance working again?
Book a repair online or call us — clear estimates and approval before any repair work begins.
