VERIFIED
Reading F6E3
Foam or air has entered the pump that moves the wash water. Listed models are Kenmore HE and Elite HE (digital display), Global HE and MicroClean HE; those without a display flash the Clean light as 6-3.
Branch A: foam is visible
- Stop the cycle. The drain pump then runs for roughly 3 minutes.
- Foam still there? Remove the water yourself, or use a wet/dry shop vacuum.
- Inspect the detergent dispenser; a damaged one is replaced.
- Only dishwasher detergent belongs in the machine. Everyday dish soap produces excessive suds, and that can bring on this code.
Branch B: no foam, so look at the water level
A shallow fill lets air reach the pump. The right level is water just touching the underside of the overfill float mushroom. Bowls and containers that tip over can trap water, so arrange them to stay upright.
When nothing tipped over
- The water inlet valve becomes the suspect. Pull the plug and close the supply valve.
- Take off the supply line and look at the screen in the valve for clogs.
- If the screen is clogged, the valve is replaced, because debris can lodge in the valve body, hold it open and cause flooding.
- A clear screen with no water from the line means a plumber must repair the supply.
- When water does flow, the valve wiring is inspected, and the valve or the control board may need replacing.
Related codes
- F6E1 is a tub that never fills.
- F6E2 is a failed inlet valve.
- F6E4 is the float switch reading open.
Dishwasher repair in San Francisco
If F6E3 keeps returning on your Kenmore in San Francisco or elsewhere in the Bay Area, Kenmore dishwasher repair is the place to start, and the number is (415) 825-6393. Say whether foam was present, the model number, and what you changed in loading or detergent.
Model compatibility: Kenmore reuses codes across series and model years, so F6E3 (6-3) may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
