Kenmore · Dishwasher
Kenmore Dishwasher F6 Error Code
Water inlet valve not filling
What this error means
F6 means the dishwasher did not fill with water within the allowed time. The inlet valve never opened or household pressure was too low for the fill step.
How F6 is detected
Kenmore dishwasher models lock the door or lid before energizing fill, heat, or high-speed spin. F6 means the latch switch never sent a "locked" signal to the main control, or the lock motor did not complete its travel. On Kenmore 665.13223K901, Kenmore 665.17789K801, and similar variants, clothing caught in the gasket, a misaligned strike, or a failed latch assembly are the most common mechanical causes—not the board itself.
Inspect the door gasket perimeter and strike alignment before replacing the latch. Water supply valve under the sink turned off or partially closed is reported frequently on this code. After correcting mechanical issues, turn the shut-off valve under the sink fully counterclockwise. If the latch clicks but F6 persists, the door lock switch or wiring harness to the control board likely needs testing with a multimeter.
Do not force the door open during an active cycle; wait for the lock to release when the board de-energizes the lock motor—usually two to three minutes after canceling power on most Kenmore units.
Common causes
- Water supply valve under the sink turned off or partially closed
- Kinked inlet hose between valve and dishwasher
- Clogged inlet valve screen with mineral deposits
- Faulty water inlet valve WPW10195049
Step-by-step fixes
- 1Turn the shut-off valve under the sink fully counterclockwise
- 2Inspect the inlet hose for kinks behind the kick plate
- 3Disconnect the hose at the valve and clean the mesh screen with vinegar
- 4Listen for water entering the tub at fill start—silence means test or replace the valve
When to call a technician
Clean screen with adequate household pressure but no fill requires inlet valve replacement.
Affected models
- Kenmore 665.13223K901
- Kenmore 665.17789K801
- Kenmore 665.14703N510
Prevention & maintenance
- Wipe the door gasket weekly and avoid overloading items against the seal—F6 often starts as a slow leak or latch misalignment.
- Record when F6 appears in the cycle and whether it clears after a 60-second power reset on your Kenmore dishwasher—that detail speeds diagnosis if you call service.
- Keep the model and serial number from the rating plate when ordering parts for F6; Kenmore uses multiple revisions with different harness lengths and board firmware.
- Photograph wiring connector orientation before disconnecting any component while troubleshooting F6; reversed plugs on pumps and valves cause immediate repeat faults.