KitchenAid Appliance Error Codes
Refrigerator
Consumer-facing KitchenAid refrigerator alerts and F-series service codes from French-door, side-by-side, and built-in support pages.
F3 E1 /
F3 E2 /
F3 E4 /
F3 E8 /
F3 E9 /
F3 EC /
F4 E1 /
F6 E1 /
F8 E1 /
F8 E2 /
F8 E3 /
F8 E8 /
F8 EC
F3 E2 /
F3 E4 /
F3 E8 /
F3 E9 /
F3 EC /
F4 E1 /
F6 E1 /
F8 E1 /
F8 E2 /
F8 E3 /
F8 E8 /
F8 EC
Refrigerator F-Series Service Faults
Official KitchenAid support lists these codes, but does not publicly define every sub-code in detail
What This Means
KitchenAid publicly lists a family of refrigerator F-codes, including F3, F4, F6, and F8 variants. On the official support pages, the user-level instruction is largely the same: reset power, make sure cooling is turned on, and schedule service if the code returns. In other words, these are real service faults, but KitchenAid does not publish a customer-safe component map for every individual code.
Common Causes
- Temporary electronics glitch after a power interruption
- Sensor, control, or internal communication fault
- Harness or board issue that requires service access
What You Can Try
Unplug the refrigerator or switch off the breaker for 1 minute, restore power, and confirm cooling is enabled. If the code returns right away or comes back repeatedly, this should be treated as a service call rather than a user-maintenance issue.
PO
Power Outage Alert
Power was interrupted and freezer temperature rose above the safe alert threshold
What This Means
PO is KitchenAid’s power-outage notification. On affected models, it appears after power returns if the freezer temperature rose to 18°F (-8°C) or higher. The refrigerator may disable some controls until the outage is acknowledged.
Common Causes
- Utility power outage
- Breaker trip or unplugged appliance
- Momentary interruption long enough to warm the freezer
What You Can Try
Acknowledge the message on the control panel, then verify temperatures stabilize again. If food thawed noticeably or PO keeps reappearing without a household outage, the appliance should be checked.
TEMP
ALARM
ALARM
Over-Temperature Alarm
Fresh-food or freezer compartment stayed too warm for too long
What This Means
KitchenAid’s temperature alarm warns when refrigerator temperature rises above 48°F (9°C) or freezer temperature rises above 15°F (-9°C) for more than about 1½ hours. On built-in units, an over-temperature light can continue flashing until the alarm is reset.
Common Causes
- Door left open
- Recent installation or warm food load
- Power interruption
- Cooling system fault if the alarm keeps returning
What You Can Try
Close doors fully, reduce door openings, press the alarm reset if available, and allow temperatures to recover. If the alarm repeats after the unit has had time to cool normally, service is more likely needed.
H2O
LIGHT
LIGHT
Water Filter Reminder / Restricted Flow
Filter status light is on and water flow to the dispenser or ice maker may be reduced
What This Means
The H2O light is usually a water-filter reminder rather than a hard failure code. KitchenAid recommends replacing the filter about every 6 months. A clogged or incorrectly installed filter can reduce water flow, slow dispensing, and cause low ice production.
Common Causes
- Filter has reached its service interval
- Filter installed incorrectly or not fully locked
- Water flow restricted by a clogged cartridge
What You Can Try
Replace or reseat the water filter, then reset the filter status light according to your panel type. If the light will not reset or flow is still poor with a new filter, inspect the housing or run the system in bypass mode until the problem is corrected.
FLASHING
F
F
Generic Display Fault Alert
The control is seeing an F-type refrigerator fault and wants a reset or service follow-up
What This Means
On some full-size KitchenAid refrigerators, the display can simply flash the letter F instead of giving a more descriptive message. The official support guidance is to reset power and monitor the unit. If the display continues flashing F, KitchenAid treats it as a service condition.
Common Causes
- Temporary control glitch
- Underlying sensor or board problem
- Stored fault after a power event
What You Can Try
Reset power for 1 minute. If the F returns, avoid repeated resets and schedule service.
Wine Cellar / Undercounter Refrigeration
Wine-cellar and undercounter alerts that KitchenAid publishes publicly for beverage cooling products.
E1
Wine Cellar Service Fault
Official support confirms E1, but customer-facing guidance is mainly reset and service
What This Means
KitchenAid lists E1 on wine cellars and related undercounter cooling products. The public support instruction is to power-cycle the unit and verify operation. If the code stays on or reappears, it is treated as an internal service fault.
Common Causes
- Internal electronics or sensor issue
- Temporary control glitch
- Wiring or board problem inside the cabinet
What You Can Try
Unplug for 1 minute or switch off the breaker, then restore power. If E1 returns, temperature stability should not be trusted for long-term wine storage until the unit is serviced.
E2
Wine Cellar Service Fault
A second undercounter service code with the same KitchenAid guidance: reset once, service if repeated
What This Means
E2 is another officially documented KitchenAid wine-cellar / beverage-center service code. Like E1, the public-facing support page does not assign a detailed component name, but it clearly treats the code as abnormal and recommends service if a power reset does not clear it.
Common Causes
- Sensor or control fault
- Internal harness issue
- Persistent electronics error after restart
What You Can Try
Power-cycle once. If E2 comes back, arrange service and move temperature-sensitive items elsewhere if cabinet temperature cannot be maintained.
HI /
LO
LO
Temperature Out of Range
The undercounter unit is seeing temperatures too high or too low
What This Means
KitchenAid publishes HI or LO for wine cellars when the unit senses temperature outside the expected range. This can happen after a long door-open event, a warm room, a loading event, or a real cooling problem.
Common Causes
- Door not sealing well
- Unit in a hot environment or poor ventilation area
- Cooling system or sensor problem if the alert persists
What You Can Try
Reset power, confirm the grille is clear, and make sure the door closes tightly. If HI or LO stays active after the cabinet has had time to stabilize, service is recommended.
OVER
TEMP
TEMP
Undercounter Over-Temperature Alarm
Cabinet stayed above the allowed temperature band long enough to trigger an alarm
What This Means
KitchenAid’s undercounter cooling products use Over Temp alerts to warn that cabinet temperature has exceeded the safe target range for an extended period. On wine storage products, this is especially important because temperature drift can affect contents before a hard failure becomes obvious.
Common Causes
- Frequent door openings
- Blocked base grille or poor ventilation
- Weak cooling performance
What You Can Try
Keep the door closed, restore airflow at the toe-kick grille, and allow the cabinet to recover. If the alarm keeps reactivating every few hours, cooling performance should be checked professionally.
Dishwasher
The strongest public KitchenAid code coverage is on dishwashers, where several common faults have official customer-facing explanations.
F8E4 /
E4
E4
Water in Drip Tray / Overflow Condition
Dishwasher has sensed water in the base area or an overfill-related condition
What This Means
F8E4 is KitchenAid’s best-documented dishwasher fault. Official support points you to the drip tray, float switch connection, installation checks, and excessive suds. If the machine sees water where it should not, it will protect itself and interrupt normal operation.
Common Causes
- Water in the drip tray under the tub
- Incorrect installation or loose water connection
- Float switch disconnected
- Too many suds pushing water into the base
What You Can Try
Look for visible water in the base area, correct any installation issue, and clear excessive suds. Press Cancel once to silence the alarm and again to clear the code. If water returns to the tray, a leak source still exists and needs repair.
F9E1 /
F9E2
F9E2
Drain Fault
Dishwasher is not draining correctly, or drain installation is blocking the pump-out path
What This Means
KitchenAid’s F9E1 family points to a drain problem. Official support highlights the drain hose, disposer knockout plug, disposer obstruction, and general drain-path restrictions. If water cannot leave fast enough, the dishwasher stops and stores the code.
Common Causes
- Garbage disposer knockout plug still installed
- Blocked disposer or blocked dishwasher drain path
- Kinked drain hose
- Improper drain-hose routing or excess suds
What You Can Try
Disconnect power for 30 seconds to reset, then inspect the disposer inlet, hose routing, and restrictions in the drain line. If the code returns after the drain path is confirmed clear, the pump or sensing circuit may need service.
H2O
No Water / Fill Paused
Cycle is paused because incoming water supply is missing or restricted
What This Means
KitchenAid says H2O means the cycle is paused and the dishwasher is not getting the water it expects. This is usually a supply-side problem rather than an electronic failure.
Common Causes
- Water supply valve turned off
- Kinked inlet hose
- Restricted household water flow
What You Can Try
Open the supply valve, straighten the inlet hose, then press Start so the dishwasher can attempt to fill and resume. If H2O returns with good water supply, the inlet valve or sensing circuit may need diagnosis.
F6E3 /
F6E4
F6E4
Suds / Overfill-Switch Problem
KitchenAid support ties these codes to foam, water level, or leveling-related overfill conditions
What This Means
KitchenAid’s F6E3 guidance focuses on suds in the tub bottom that can stop correct filling. F6E4 is associated with leveling and overfill / floater-switch activation. Both point to water-level behavior the machine does not consider normal.
Common Causes
- Wrong detergent or too much detergent
- Rinse-aid cap left off
- Dishwasher installed out of level
- Float / overfill switch reacting to abnormal water movement
What You Can Try
Remove excess suds, use only automatic dishwasher detergent, confirm the rinse-aid cap is fitted, and check that the machine is level. If the code persists after correcting those basics, service is the next step.
F6E1 /
FAE5 /
F10E5
FAE5 /
F10E5
Cycle Start / Resume Fault
Dishwasher finishes or stops in an abnormal way and may not accept a new cycle without reset
What This Means
KitchenAid says F6E1 can leave the machine unable to start or resume a new cycle. FAE5 / F10E5 ends the cycle, drains, and displays the code. These are control-side faults where the first official step is usually to cancel or cycle power and try again once.
Common Causes
- Temporary control fault
- Cycle interrupted in a way the control cannot recover from
- Underlying component or board issue if resets do not help
What You Can Try
For FAE5 / F10E5, press Cancel twice and try a new cycle. For F6E1, remove power for 30 seconds and retry. If the dishwasher continues refusing cycles, service is more likely needed.
Freezer & Ice Maker
KitchenAid freezer warnings are often presented as refrigerator alarms, while ice-maker issues are usually indicator or maintenance alerts.
PO
Freezer Warmed During Power Loss
The PO alert is freezer-driven: it appears when the freezer warmed above KitchenAid’s outage threshold
What This Means
On KitchenAid full-size refrigerators, the PO alert is specifically tied to the freezer warming to 18°F (-8°C) or higher after an outage. It is worth treating as a freezer-food-safety check, not just a display nuisance.
Common Causes
- Power outage
- Breaker trip
- Unit unplugged or disconnected briefly
What You Can Try
Acknowledge the alert, verify freezer temperature recovery, and inspect food for thawing. Repeated unexplained PO alerts can indicate a power-supply or control issue.
OVER
TEMP
TEMP
Freezer Temperature Alarm
Freezer stayed above the allowed temperature band long enough to trigger the alarm memory
What This Means
KitchenAid’s temperature alarm also covers the freezer. The freezer side of the alert is triggered when temperature rises above 15°F (-9°C) for more than about 1½ hours on full-size units. Built-in and undercounter products use similar over-temperature warning logic.
Common Causes
- Door ajar or poor door seal
- Power interruption
- Warm food load or recent installation
- Real cooling failure if the alarm repeats
What You Can Try
Keep the door closed and let the freezer recover. If temperatures stay high or the alarm returns after recovery, move food to a backup freezer and investigate the cooling system.
FILTER
LIGHT
LIGHT
Ice Maker Filter Reminder
Freestanding or undercounter ice maker is warning about the water filter or filter installation
What This Means
KitchenAid’s freestanding ice-maker support says the Replace Filter light can keep flashing if the filter is overdue or not installed correctly. Low flow through the filter can reduce ice production and lead to small or thin cubes.
Common Causes
- Old water filter
- Filter not fully locked in place
- Restricted water flow through the filter
What You Can Try
Reinstall or replace the filter and make sure it turns fully into the locked position. If the light continues to flash, check the housing and water supply pressure.
CLEAN
LIGHT
LIGHT
Ice Maker Cleaning Cycle Indicator
Blinking clean light often means the cleaning cycle is still running or was interrupted
What This Means
On KitchenAid freestanding ice makers, a blinking Clean light is not always a fault. It can mean the cleaning cycle is in progress or was interrupted before completion.
Common Causes
- Cleaning cycle is still active
- Cleaning cycle was stopped before finishing
- Unit needs to be restarted after maintenance
What You Can Try
Press Clean to resume the interrupted cleaning cycle and wait for the unit to indicate completion. If the light keeps blinking outside a clean cycle, restart the ice maker and recheck.
Range & Stove
KitchenAid range and wall-oven code coverage is strong, especially for miswire, keypad, sensor, and control faults.
F9 /
F9 E0
F9 E0
Electrical Connection / Miswire Fault
KitchenAid says this most often points to incorrect home wiring or hard-wire connection
What This Means
F9 or F9E0 is one of the clearest KitchenAid cooking codes. The official guidance says it most often indicates the appliance is wired incorrectly at the home electrical supply or hard-wire connection. New installations are especially likely to show this if L2 and neutral are not correct.
Common Causes
- Recent installation wired incorrectly
- Supply-side miswire at the outlet or junction box
- Power-event noise confusing the control during startup
What You Can Try
Do not keep retrying the oven. Disconnect power and have a qualified electrician verify the supply and connections before continued use.
F2 E1 /
F2 E2
F2 E2
User Interface / Keypad Fault
Control is seeing a keypad, user-interface, or related wiring problem
What This Means
KitchenAid range support links F2E1 and F2E2 to the user interface or keypad, the main control, or the wiring between them. On commercial-style models, F2E1 is also explicitly described as a stuck or held button.
Common Causes
- Stuck key or contaminated keypad area
- Failing user interface
- Control-board or harness issue
What You Can Try
Power-cycle once for 1 minute. On commercial-style models, inspect buttons for grease or debris buildup. If the code returns, the UI or control usually needs service.
F3 E2
Oven Temperature Sensor Fault
Official support points to the oven temperature sensor, warming-drawer sensor, or related wiring
What This Means
KitchenAid’s public range documentation ties F3E2 to the oven temperature sensor, the warming-drawer sensor if equipped, or the associated wiring. The control cannot trust temperature feedback, so it flags a real service issue.
Common Causes
- Failed oven temperature sensor
- Warming drawer sensor issue on equipped models
- Harness or connector problem
What You Can Try
Reset power once. If the code returns, stop relying on the oven for precision baking until the sensor circuit is checked.
F6 E1 /
F6 E4
F6 E4
Appliance Manager / Control Fault
KitchenAid points to the appliance-manager control or related wiring
What This Means
F6E1 and F6E4 are published KitchenAid range faults associated with the appliance manager or oven control side of the electronics. These are not usually user-correctable beyond a single reset.
Common Causes
- Main control fault
- Internal communication problem
- Wiring issue between boards
What You Can Try
Switch the breaker off for 1 minute and retry. If the error returns, service is more appropriate than repeated resets.
CALL
SERVICE
SERVICE
Stored Fault Message
Control detected a fault and wants you to cancel or reset before it will try again
What This Means
KitchenAid uses a plain-language Call Service message on some range platforms when the control has detected an error condition. If pressing Cancel clears it and it stays gone, the fault may have been transient. If it comes back, the control is asking for actual service.
Common Causes
- One-time electronic glitch
- Underlying stored fault code
- Control or sensor problem
What You Can Try
Press Cancel. If the message remains or returns, reset power at the breaker for 1 minute. Persistent Call Service messages should be treated as a real fault, not ignored.
Cooktop & Induction
KitchenAid publishes a good mix of true fault codes and normal-use indicators for electric and induction cooktops.
d E
Demo Mode Active
Cooktop is in demo mode, so it looks alive but will not produce heat
What This Means
KitchenAid’s induction support is very clear here: d E means demo mode is on. The controls respond, but the cooktop does not actually heat.
Common Causes
- Demo mode accidentally enabled during setup
- New installation left in showroom mode
What You Can Try
Follow KitchenAid’s demo-mode exit sequence for your model. On supported induction models, this involves reconnecting power and pressing the bottom-left Booster key for 5 seconds within the first minute after power-up.
U /
u
u
Pan Not Detected / Wrong Cookware
Induction zone cannot see suitable cookware
What This Means
KitchenAid says U or u appears when the pan is not suitable for induction, is not centered correctly, or is too small for the selected zone. This is a cookware-match message, not necessarily a hardware failure.
Common Causes
- Non-induction cookware
- Pan too small for the active zone
- Pan not centered on the cooking area
What You Can Try
Use induction-compatible cookware with a magnetic base and center it properly. If no pan is detected, the zone will switch off after a short delay.
F2
Surface Too Hot
The cooking area overheated and needs to cool down
What This Means
KitchenAid uses F2 on electric cooktops to indicate the surface cooking area is too hot. The code clears once the area cools enough.
Common Causes
- High-heat cooking for a prolonged period
- Large hot cookware retaining heat on the zone
What You Can Try
Turn the affected zone off and let it cool. If F2 comes back immediately on a cool surface, then a sensor or control problem becomes more likely.
F2 E1
Touch-Control / Key Area Fault
Contamination on the touch keys or a control fault is preventing normal response
What This Means
KitchenAid’s cooktop support says contamination on keys can hinder responsiveness and trigger F2E1. If cleaning does not help, the problem may be the cooktop control or associated wiring.
Common Causes
- Food or liquid on the touch area
- Grease buildup causing a false key press
- Cooktop control fault
What You Can Try
Clean and dry the control area thoroughly, then reset power for 1 minute. If F2E1 returns on a clean surface, service is more likely needed.
F1E1 /
F47
F47
Communication / Power-Control Fault
Cooktop is reporting an internal communication or power-control board problem
What This Means
KitchenAid links F1E1 on electric cooktops to loss of communication between the user interface and appliance manager, while F47 points to the power-control board, user interface, or associated wiring. Both are true internal faults rather than usage messages.
Common Causes
- Internal communication failure between boards
- Cooktop power-control board problem
- Harness or connector issue
What You Can Try
Reset power for 1 minute and monitor. If the code comes back, the cooktop usually needs diagnosis rather than more user troubleshooting.
Oven / Microwave
KitchenAid’s oven and microwave support includes both traditional F-codes and plain-language control messages.
F9 /
F9 E0
F9 E0
Miswire / Electrical Supply Fault
Built-in oven or microwave is seeing incorrect incoming electrical wiring
What This Means
KitchenAid uses F9 / F9E0 across wall ovens and built-in microwaves to indicate incorrect home wiring or hard-wire connection. This is not just a random electronic hiccup; the support pages explicitly point users toward the installation and electrical supply.
Common Causes
- Incorrect wiring on a new installation
- Supply-side line / neutral problem
- Electrical disturbance at startup
What You Can Try
Shut power off and have the electrical connection verified. Continued operation without correcting the supply can create repeat faults.
F2 E1 /
F2H1
F2H1
Keypad / Vent-Fan Control Fault
KitchenAid ties these microwave-family codes to the user interface or vent-fan / light-switch circuit
What This Means
F2E1 on over-the-range microwaves points to the user interface / keypad or related wiring. F2H1 is more specific: KitchenAid says there may be a problem with the vent-fan and light switch assembly or the associated wiring.
Common Causes
- Stuck or failing keypad input
- Vent fan / light-switch circuit fault
- Ribbon cable or wiring issue
What You Can Try
Power-cycle the microwave for 1 minute. If the code returns, the panel or switch circuit usually needs service access.
F3 E2
Temperature Sensor Fault
KitchenAid ties F3E2 to the oven temperature sensor, control, or related wiring
What This Means
KitchenAid’s wall-oven and microwave-family support both associate F3E2 with the oven temperature sensor, control, or related wiring. The appliance is telling you it cannot trust normal temperature feedback.
Common Causes
- Faulty temperature sensor
- Control-board issue
- Sensor wiring problem
What You Can Try
Reset power once. If F3E2 comes back, service is warranted before relying on the oven for normal cooking.
DOOR /
OPEN
CLOSE
OPEN
CLOSE
Microwave Door Prompt
Countertop microwave wants the door opened and closed before a new cycle can start
What This Means
KitchenAid countertop microwaves can show Door or Open/Close when the door has been closed for about 5 minutes without starting a cycle. This is a safety behavior to prevent unintended operation, not usually a broken door switch.
Common Causes
- Door closed, but no cycle started
- Normal safety timeout behavior
What You Can Try
Open and close the door, then start the cycle. If the message appears constantly even after proper door use, the latch or switch circuit may need attention.
F01–
F06 /
F1–F7
F06 /
F1–F7
Built-In Microwave Service-Code Families
KitchenAid publishes a broad matrix of built-in microwave codes, but not every one has a plain-language public diagnosis
What This Means
KitchenAid’s built-in microwave support includes a very large code matrix, including F01–F06 and many F1/F2/F3/F4/F6/F7 variants. For some codes, the public pages give a specific cause. For many others, the practical user guidance is the same: reset once, then schedule service if the code returns.
Common Causes
- Control-board fault
- Sensor or switch fault
- Internal communication or wiring issue
What You Can Try
Cycle power a single time. If the code reappears, note the exact code and escalate to service instead of repeated resetting.