What should I check first for KitchenAid dishwasher error F1E1?

Cut power to the dishwasher for 30 seconds to 5 minutes — unplug it, or switch off its breaker — then restore power and see whether the code returns.

F1E1Medium

KitchenAid dishwasher error F1E1

KitchenAid dishwasher error F1E1 points at the main control board — Sears identifies it more precisely as a stuck relay on that board.

Also shows as 1-1, F1 E1

Symptom
F1E1
Free checks
2 checks
Then the part
Electronic control board

The 2 free checks

Start at the top. Unplug the machine first.

01
Cut power to the dishwasher for 30 seconds to 5 minutes — unplug it, or switch off its breaker — then restore power and see whether the code returns.
02
If the code returns, check the wiring connected to the control board for damage. The tech sheet for the machine is behind the bottom front toe panel.

What causes it

Listed most likely first.

Cause	How often	DIY
The control module has failed	Most common	Call a pro
A relay on the electronic control board is stuck	Most common	Call a pro
Damaged wiring connected to the control board	Common	Call a pro

If none of that fixed it

If the code comes back after the reset, KitchenAid says to schedule service rather than to keep going.

Before you check anything

Disconnect the power first. Unplug the machine at the socket, or switch off its circuit at the consumer unit if it is hard-wired. Do this before opening any panel, reaching into a pump filter, or moving the appliance.
Turn off the water before disconnecting a hose, and have a towel and a shallow tray ready — a drain hose holds water even when the drum looks empty.
Gas, mains wiring and sealed refrigeration are for a qualified professional — in many countries that is a legal requirement, not advice. If you smell gas, do not touch any switch: leave, and call your gas emergency number from outside.
Stop if you smell burning, see scorched wiring, or find water near an electrical connection. None of those is a code to look up.

The checks on this page are the manufacturer’s own, rewritten and sourced, and they are reference information rather than a repair instruction for your particular machine. Model, age and installation all change what is safe to do. You are the one standing in front of it — if a step looks wrong for the machine you have, trust that and call a technician.