What causes KitchenAid Dishwasher F9 E1?

Clogged filter at the bottom of the tub. Drain hose kinked, pinched or clogged between the back of the dishwasher and the sink. Garbage disposer clogged, or its knockout plug never removed after a new installation. Blocked air gap at the sink, if one is installed. Drain hose routed incorrectly (wrong side or outside the frame) or without a proper high loop. Too many suds from dish soap or too much detergent. Drain check valve stuck, or debris jamming the drain pump impeller. Less often: a failed wash motor or drain pump (a service diagnosis; check for F9E2, F7E1 or F7E4 in the fault history).

How do I fix KitchenAid Dishwasher F9 E1?

Remove the filter from the bottom of the tub and clean it thoroughly under running water. Check the drain hose from the back of the dishwasher to the sink for kinks, pinches or clogs. Make sure it's routed on the correct side, inside the frame, with a high loop or a working air gap. If the dishwasher drains into a garbage disposer, run the disposer to clear any food. On a new installation, make sure the disposer's knockout plug was removed. If you have an air gap on the sink, remove its cap and clear any blockage, following the air gap maker's instructions. If you see suds, turn the dishwasher off and let them settle. Use only automatic dishwasher detergent, never dish soap, and don't overfill the dispenser. Reset the control: unplug the dishwasher for 30 seconds, or turn off its breaker for 30 seconds if it's hard-wired, then restore power and run a cycle. If water still sits in the tub or F9E1 comes back, schedule service.

When should I call a pro for KitchenAid Dishwasher F9 E1?

F9E1 returns after you've cleaned the filter and checked the hose, disposer and air gap. The fault history also shows F9E2 (drain motor electrical) or F7E1 or F7E4 (wash motor). Whirlpool's manual says these point to a pump or motor problem that needs testing. You hear a hum with no water moving, or grinding from the pump area, which can mean a jammed impeller or hard debris like glass. Testing or replacing the drain pump, wash motor or control. Whirlpool's manual warns against swapping the pump without confirming it has failed. The dishwasher is under warranty. Schedule KitchenAid service rather than opening it up.

Code: F9 E1🧺 KitchenAid Dishwasher

KitchenAid Dishwasher F9 E1: Long Drain, Dishwasher Not Draining (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Q: What does KitchenAid Dishwasher F9 E1 mean?

F9 E1 on a KitchenAid dishwasher means Long Drain: the water isn't leaving the tub fast enough, or at all. KitchenAid's fixes start with the filter, the drain hose, the garbage disposer and the air gap, and most F9 E1 codes are cleared there without replacing any parts. KitchenAid lists F9E1 as Long Drain (not draining). On models with a digital display it shows as F9E1; on models with a flashing Clean light it shows as 9 flashes, a pause, 1 flash, a pause, then repeat. Whirlpool's technical manual for its KitchenAid, Whirlpool and JennAir dishwashers (W11499711) says F9E1 is not likely a drain pump electrical problem unless F9E2 is also recorded, and warns not to change the drain pump without confirming it has failed electrically, seized, or broken its chopper blade. It also notes the control uses the wash motor signal to verify draining, so a failed wash motor or a badly clogged filter can trigger a drain fault too. In a service test cycle, the drain should finish in about 1 minute (technical manual W11480208).

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Based on 6 manufacturer & service sources

What the code means

KitchenAid lists F9E1 as Long Drain (not draining). On models with a digital display it shows as F9E1; on models with a flashing Clean light it shows as 9 flashes, a pause, 1 flash, a pause, then repeat. Whirlpool's technical manual for its KitchenAid, Whirlpool and JennAir dishwashers (W11499711) says F9E1 is not likely a drain pump electrical problem unless F9E2 is also recorded, and warns not to change the drain pump without confirming it has failed electrically, seized, or broken its chopper blade. It also notes the control uses the wash motor signal to verify draining, so a failed wash motor or a badly clogged filter can trigger a drain fault too. In a service test cycle, the drain should finish in about 1 minute (technical manual W11480208).

Likely causes

Clogged filter at the bottom of the tub
Drain hose kinked, pinched or clogged between the back of the dishwasher and the sink
Garbage disposer clogged, or its knockout plug never removed after a new installation
Blocked air gap at the sink, if one is installed
Drain hose routed incorrectly (wrong side or outside the frame) or without a proper high loop
Too many suds from dish soap or too much detergent
Drain check valve stuck, or debris jamming the drain pump impeller
Less often: a failed wash motor or drain pump (a service diagnosis; check for F9E2, F7E1 or F7E4 in the fault history)

Safe DIY checks

⚠ Before you start

Unplug the appliance (or switch off its breaker) and shut off the water supply valves before removing panels or disconnecting hoses. Keep towels handy for residual water.

Remove the filter from the bottom of the tub and clean it thoroughly under running water.
Check the drain hose from the back of the dishwasher to the sink for kinks, pinches or clogs. Make sure it's routed on the correct side, inside the frame, with a high loop or a working air gap.
If the dishwasher drains into a garbage disposer, run the disposer to clear any food. On a new installation, make sure the disposer's knockout plug was removed.
If you have an air gap on the sink, remove its cap and clear any blockage, following the air gap maker's instructions.
If you see suds, turn the dishwasher off and let them settle. Use only automatic dishwasher detergent, never dish soap, and don't overfill the dispenser.
Reset the control: unplug the dishwasher for 30 seconds, or turn off its breaker for 30 seconds if it's hard-wired, then restore power and run a cycle.
If water still sits in the tub or F9E1 comes back, schedule service.

🛠 When to call a pro

F9E1 returns after you've cleaned the filter and checked the hose, disposer and air gap.
The fault history also shows F9E2 (drain motor electrical) or F7E1 or F7E4 (wash motor). Whirlpool's manual says these point to a pump or motor problem that needs testing.
You hear a hum with no water moving, or grinding from the pump area, which can mean a jammed impeller or hard debris like glass.
Testing or replacing the drain pump, wash motor or control. Whirlpool's manual warns against swapping the pump without confirming it has failed.
The dishwasher is under warranty. Schedule KitchenAid service rather than opening it up.

Parts that commonly fix it

Always match the part number to your exact model.

⚙

Dishwasher filter

Clean the filter first. Replace it only if it's damaged, matching the part to your model number.

[affiliate link slot: AFFILIATE_SLOT_DW_FILTER]

⚙

Dishwasher drain hose

Only if the hose is crushed, split or permanently kinked.

[affiliate link slot: AFFILIATE_SLOT_DW_DRAIN_HOSE]

⚙

Dishwasher cleaner

KitchenAid suggests cleaning the dishwasher about every 30 days to keep the interior clean.

[affiliate link slot: AFFILIATE_SLOT_DW_CLEANER]

⚙

Dishwasher drain pump

Only after a confirmed failure. Whirlpool's technical manual says F9E1 alone rarely means a bad pump.

[affiliate link slot: AFFILIATE_SLOT_DW_DRAIN_PUMP]

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-22. Always confirm against the manual for your exact model number.

KitchenAid Dishwasher F9 E1: Long Drain, Dishwasher Not Draining (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

What the code means

Likely causes

Safe DIY checks

🛠 When to call a pro

Parts that commonly fix it

Dishwasher filter

Dishwasher drain hose

Dishwasher cleaner

Dishwasher drain pump

Related codes

Sources