Maytag Dishwasher F9 E1 Code: Meaning & Fixes
- Meaning
- Long drain: the dishwasher could not pump the water out in the expected time.
- Can I fix it?
- Yes, usually a DIY fix
- Also shown as
- F9E1
- Seen on
- Maytag dishwashers. Whirlpool and KitchenAid dishwashers use the same code. On models without a display, the Clean light flashes 9 times, pauses, then flashes once.
On a new installation, check one thing before anything else: the knockout plug in the garbage disposal. If the installer didn’t remove it, the dishwasher has nowhere to drain and shows F9 E1 straight away. Otherwise, Maytag’s checklist starts with the filter, then the drain hose, the disposal and the air gap.
Try this first
- Remove the filter and clean it under running water.
- Check the drain hose from the back of the dishwasher to the sink for kinks, pinches or clogs.
- If the dishwasher drains into a garbage disposal, run the disposal. On a new install, make sure the knockout plug was removed.
- If there's an air gap on the sink, remove its cap and clear it.
- Cycle the power for 30 seconds: unplug it, or switch the breaker off and on.
What causes F9 E1
| Cause | What you notice | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Clogged filter | Dirty water left in the bottom of the tub | The filter in the bottom of the tub |
| Knockout plug left in the disposal | F9 E1 from the first cycle after install | The disposal's dishwasher inlet |
| Kinked or misrouted drain hose | F9 E1 after work under the sink | The hose route inside the frame and under the sink |
| Clogged disposal or air gap | Water backs up at the air gap or sink | Run the disposal; clear the air gap cap |
| Too many suds | Foam in the tub | Use only automatic dishwasher detergent |
| Failed drain pump | No drain sound with a clear drain path | Needs a technician |
Fix it step by step
Tap a step number to tick it off as you go. Ticks stay on this device.
-
Clean the filter
Take out the lower rack, remove the filter and rinse it under running water until the mesh is clear.
Safety: Let hot water cool before you reach into the tub.
-
Check the drain path
Follow the drain hose from the back of the dishwasher to the sink. Straighten kinks and make sure it runs inside the frame without being pinched.
-
Check the disposal and air gap
Run the garbage disposal to clear it. On a new install, confirm the knockout plug in the disposal inlet was removed. If you have an air gap, take off its cap and clear it.
-
Clear the suds
If the tub is full of foam, turn the dishwasher off and let the suds settle. Use only automatic dishwasher detergent: dish soap causes oversudsing.
-
Reset and test
Unplug the dishwasher, or switch its breaker off for 30 seconds, then restore power and run a short cycle.
When to call a technician
If the filter, hose, disposal and air gap are clear and F9 E1 keeps returning, the drain pump or its check valve may have failed. Contact Maytag service or a technician.
Questions people ask
How do I reset a Maytag dishwasher with F9 E1?
Fix the drain problem, then cut the power for 30 seconds: unplug the dishwasher, or switch its breaker off and on if it's hard-wired.
Why did F9 E1 appear right after installation?
Usually because the knockout plug in the garbage disposal's dishwasher inlet wasn't removed. The installer or a plumber can knock it out from inside the disposal.
What does 9 flashes and 1 flash mean on my Maytag dishwasher?
It's the same F9 E1 long drain code on models without a display: the first burst is the F number, the second the E number.