Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Troubleshooting Guide: Problems, Solutions & Error Codes

Fisher and Paykel dishwashers are designed to make getting dishes clean easier. Their new range of appliances allow for flexibility when washing dishes including the ability to wash one drawer while stacking the next.

They also offer a sanitise mode that kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria as well as flexible racking systems that allow you to customise the shelving to suit your needs.

However, even these amazing dishwashers develop faults occasionally and when they do, you’re going to need to know what to do.  

In this article we look at the most common faults found in Fisher & Paykel dishwashers and explain all of their error codes and look at ways to resolve these issues.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Troubleshooting Guide

Let’s start by looking at the most commonly reported faults with Fisher & Paykel dishwashers.

Fault	Probable Cause	Solution
Dishwasher Fails To Start	No power, door not latched, drawer not latched, key lock activated, no water supply, clogged strainer or start button not fully pressed	Make sure there is power, shut the door and drawer, deactivate the key lock,check the water supply, clean the strainer if clogged, press the start button fully
Dishwasher Beeps But Won’t Start	Key lock activated or door not latched correctly	Deactivate the key lock, close the door fully
Dishwasher Beeps & Flashes	Fault code detected	Reset the dishwasher to clear the fault code
Dishdrawer Controls Not Responding	Key lock activated, control panel wet, drawer not fully latched	Deactivate the key lock, dry the control panel, ensure the drawer is fully closed
Dishwasher Fails To Drain	Filter clogged, drain hose blocked, inlet hose twisted, rotor blocked or pump jammed	Clean the filter, unblock the drain hose, sort the inlet hose, unblock the rotor, contact a technician to deal with the pump
Dishes Don’t Clean	Wrong cycle selected, dishes too dirty, dishes loaded incorrectly, wrong detergent used, clogged filter, spray arm blocked or not enough rinse aid	Ensure you select the correct cycle, remove excess food from dishes, rearrange the dishes, always use top quality detergent, clean the filter, unclog the spray arm and add rinse aid
Dishwasher Not Filling With Water	Failed water supply, twisted inlet hose, spray arm issues	Ensure the water supply is running freely, straighten the inlet hose, check and fix the spray arm
Water Not Heating	Wrong programme, dirty filter, power fault, incorrect detergent or heating element fault	Select the correct programme, check the power supply, clean filter, use better detergent or replace the heater element
Dishes Not Drying	No rinse aid, wrong cycle, Eco mode activated, dishes loaded incorrectly or the dishes removed too soon	Add rinse aid, select the correct cycle, deactivate Eco mode, stack dishes correctly or allow the dishes time to dry before removing them

Let’s look at each of these in more detail;

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Fails To Start

The first thing to check here is whether the dishwasher is receiving power. Check the plug is fully inserted into the socket, the socket works and is switched on, the circuit breaker is switched on and the power cord is not frayed or loose.

If all of the above are OK check;

• The Door & Drawer Are Latched Correctly
  If both the door and the drawer are not latched correctly, the dishwasher will not start.
• The Key Lock/Child Lock Are Deactivated
  The key lock and the child lock both disable the control panel which will stop the dishwasher from starting. Deactivate both of these before attempting to start the appliance.
• The Water Supply
  If the water supply has been cut to the dishwasher for any reason, it will not start. Check that your home has water, and that the tap and inlet hose are able to allow water to flow freely.
• The Strainer Is Clogged
  If the strainer is clogged due to excess dirt, this can block the inlet hose and prevent the dishwasher from starting.
• The Start Button Has Been Firmly Pressed

The dishwasher will not start unless the “start/pause” button is pressed firmly. Ensure you give it a firm press.

Dishwasher Beeps But Won’t Start

If your Fisher & Paykel dishwasher beeps and won’t start it is usually caused by one of the following;

• Key Lock/Child Lock Activated
  One of the ways the dishwasher notifies you that the key lock or child lock is activated is by beeping. The appliance will not start when either of these has been activated. To deactivate, simply press and hold the key lock or child lock switch.
• Door Not closed Properly
  If the door is not closed properly, maybe because of an obstruction, the dishwasher will beep but won’t start.
• Door Unaligned
  The dishwasher will beep and fail to start if the door or the pyrex glass is unaligned. You will need to adjust it and press start again.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Beeps & Flashes

If your Fisher & Paykel dishwasher beeps and flashes it typically indicates a fault and is often accompanied with an error code. 

See below for more information on Fisher & Paykel dishwasher error codes.

Dishdrawer Controls Not Responding

If the dishdrawer buttons on your Fisher & Paykel dishwasher fail to respond it will most likely be caused by;

• Key Lock/Child Lock Activated
  Both the key lock and the child lock render the control panel unresponsive. You will need to deactivate either, or both of these before the dishdrawer controls will work again.
• Control Panel Wet
  Just like your smartphone or tablet, if the control panel is wet or you try to use it with wet hands, it will not work. To solve this, dry your hands and the control panel.
• Drawer Not Fully Latched
  If the door is not fully latched, the buttons will not respond. Ensure the door is closed and latched correctly then try again.
• No Power
  If there is no power, none of the buttons or controls will respond. Ensure the power supply is working and that the plug, socket, circuit breaker etc are all switched on and working correctly.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Fails To Drain

If your dishwasher fails to drain all of the water away it can be disastrous and lead to flooding in your kitchen. This could be caused by:

• Clogged Filter
  The filter traps all of the food and dirt particles and prevents them from getting back onto the now clean dishes. If the filter becomes clogged, the wastewater can become trapped also and not flow away as it should. You will need to clean the filter and then make cleaning the filter a regular part of your cleaning schedule to prevent this from happening again.
• Blocked Drain Hose
  In some cases, the drain hose can become twisted or kinked which can lead to a blockage which will prevent the wastewater from leaving the appliance. Straighten the hose and remove any blockages to solve this issue.
• Twisted Or Incorrectly Fitted Inlet Hose
  If the inlet hose is twisted or fitted incorrectly or if it is loose, it can prevent the appliance from draining properly.
• Blocked Rotor
  In some cases, food and dirt can accumulate around the rotor which can prevent drainage. You will need to clean the rotor to solve this issue.
• Jammed Pump
  If the pump has become jammed with food and dirt it will prevent the dishwasher from draining. The pump will need to be cleaned and as this part is hard to access, we recommend contacting a technician to solve this.

Dishes Don’t Clean

If your dishes are still dirty after the dishwasher has completed the wash cycle, it is usually caused by;

• Wrong Cycle Selected
  Your Fisher & Paykel dishwasher has many different wash programmes and cycles to suit various dishes. If you select the wrong cycle, your dishes might not clean properly.
• Dishes Not Scraped Before Loading
  If you fail to clear excessive amounts of food or dried on foods, your dishwasher might not be able to clean them sufficiently.
• Dishes Incorrectly Loaded
  The dishes will not clean if they are loaded incorrectly. Ensure none of the dishes overlap and block each other or are unevenly loaded.
• Wrong Detergent Used
  Using too much detergent or an inferior quality detergent can lead to the production of excessive amounts of foam or soap suds. This can prevent the dishes from cleaning properly. There could also be an issue if the detergent was placed in the wrong compartment, ensure you use the correct compartment for your detergent.
• Clogged Filter
  If the filter is clogged, it will prevent the dishes from cleaning properly. Ensure the filter is cleaned regularly to prevent this from being a problem.
• Spray Arm Blocked
  If the spray arm has become clogged either with food or limescale buildup, it will prevent the dishes from getting clean. Ensure there is nothing clogging the spray arms at all. You can use a toothbrush to clean the spray arm nozzles or a toothpick if calcium buildup is the problem.
• Insufficient Rinse Aid
  If there is insufficient rinse aid, the dishwasher will be unable to clean dishes properly. Ensure the rinse aid dispenser is topped up before each use.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Not Filling With Water

Your dishwasher needs enough water to soak all of the dishes to get them clean. If it isn’t getting water, it will usually be because;

• The Water Supply Has Failed
  If the water supply to your home has been stopped due to a leak or some other emergency, you will need to get it running properly before you can use your dishwasher.
• The Inlet Hose Is Faulty
  Sometimes, the inlet hose can become twisted or kinked, this can prevent enough water entering your appliance. This will prevent it from filling with water. You will need to straighten the hose and ensure the tap is fully open to allow enough water into your dishwasher to clean your dishes. 
• The Spray Arms Are Blocked Or Misaligned
  If there is a blockage in the spray arm, it can prevent enough water from entering your dishwasher. Check the nozzles on the spray arms for blockages from food or calcium buildup and clean as necessary. Also, if the spray arm has become misaligned this can also prevent enough water from entering the appliance.

Water Not Heating

There are several reasons why your dishwasher fails to heat the water which include;

• Wrong Programme Selected
  Some wash programmes like Eco or Gentle/Delicate save energy and take extra time to heat up.
• Dirty Filter
  In some cases, a blocked or dirty filter can prevent the appliance from heating up. Clean the filter and prevent this from happening again by making the filter a regular part of your cleaning schedule.
• Power Supply Fault
  If the appliance doesn’t receive any power, the water cannot heat up. Ensure the power supply is working correctly.
• Poor Quality Detergent
  Using inferior detergent can cause excess foaming and soap suds which can prevent the water from heating sufficiently. You should always use the best quality detergent that you can.
• Faulty Heating Element
  If the heating element develops a fault, your appliance will fail to heat up. You can test the heating element using a multimeter and if it fails a continuity test, you will need to replace it.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Not Drying Dishes

Dishes often come out of a dishwasher slightly damp, but if they are excessively wet it could be because;

• A Lack Of Rinse Aid
  Rinse aid ensures that dishes dry and are streak free. If there is insufficient rinse aid the opposite could be the case. Always ensure that the rinse aid dispenser is topped up.
• The Wrong Cycle Selected
  If you select the wrong cycle, like the Gentle/Delicate cycle for instance, this can prevent the dishes from drying properly.
• Eco Mode Activated
  The Eco wash mode has a shorter drying cycle which can mean the dishes don’t have time to dry properly.
• Incorrectly Loaded Dishes
  Overloading the dishwasher with too many dishes or overcrowding dishes can also prevent them from drying properly.
• Dishes Removed Too Soon

Unloading dishes too early from the appliance can result in them still being wet. This can also happen if you leave them in the dishwasher for too long. The dishes should be removed around 2 hours after the programme has finished.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Error Codes

Now we have covered all of the most common faults reported on Fisher & Paykel dishwashers, let’s look at error codes.

Error Code	Indicates
F1	Flood switch activated
F2	Motor fault
F3	Temperature sensor failure
F4	Temperature sensor or heater element fault
F5/F6/F7	Dishdrawer lid error
F8/F9	Dishdrawer electrical fault
U1	Dishdrawer water fill error
U2	Dishdrawer loading error
U4	Dishdrawer fault in opposite dishdrawer
U6	Spray arm fault
E1 (1 & 2 lights flashing)	Door not closed
E2 (1 & 3 lights flashing)	Temperature sensor fault
E3 (1 & 4 Lights flashing)	Drain hose or water level too low
E4 (1, 3 & 4 lights flashing)	Drainage issue
E5 (1, 2 & 3 lights flashing)	Insufficient water supply
E6 (1, 2, 3 & 4 lights flashing)	Flood switch activated

Let’s take a closer look at these error codes;

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Error Code F1

This error code indicates that the flood switch has been activated. This can be caused by a leak, inferior detergent causing too many suds or an electrical fault.

You will need to turn off the power and water supply and investigate. Sometimes all that’s needed is to reset the dishwasher (see below).

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Error Code F2

Error code F2 indicates that there is an issue with the dishwasher’s motor. You will need to check the motor using a multimeter for the correct voltage and check that all wires are connected correctly. You might want to get a technician to do this for you.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Error Code F3

This error code indicates that the temperature sensor has failed. You will need to check that the temperature of the water entering your appliance is no hotter than 65 C. If it is too hot, you will need to get a tempering valve installed to counteract this issue.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Error Code F4

Error code F4 is also connected to the temperature sensor or it could be a problem with the element. Check the sensor first and then check the element for continuity using a multimeter.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Error Codes F5, F6, F7

These error codes indicate an error with the dishdrawer lid. Try turning the power supply off for a few minutes before turning it back on again. This sometimes clears this fault.

If not, you’ll need to get the lid lock switch checked and possibly replaced.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Error Codes F8, F9

Error code F8 and F9 both indicate an electrical fault. You can try turning the power off and waiting for a few minutes before turning it back on again, this sometimes clears this fault.

If not you will need to contact a technician to check this out for you.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Error Code U1

This error code indicates a water fill error in the dishdrawer. You will need to check that the water supply is on and that the spray arm is placed correctly on the impeller and can turn freely.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Error Code U2

Error code U2 indicates a loading issue. Check that the dishes are not sticking up above the height of the dishdrawer.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Error Code U4

This indicates that there is a fault in the opposite drawer which is preventing the use of this drawer. You will need to check the opposite drawer and identify any associated error code.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Error Code U6

Error code U6 indicates there is an issue with the spray arm. You will need to check that the spray arm has not become loose or fallen off the mounting.

The following error codes are for classic Fisher & Paykel dishwashers that don’t have an LCD display and are displayed using a series of flashing lights.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Error Code E1 (1 & 2 lights flashing)

This error code indicates that the door is not closed correctly. You will need to check that the door is fully closed, there are no obstructions blocking the door and that the door latch is not faulty. If it is faulty or the sensor is faulty, they will need to be replaced.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Error Code E2 (1 & 3 lights flashing)

This error code indicates the temperature sensor is faulty. You can sometimes clear this by disconnecting the appliance from the power supply for a few minutes before reconnecting the power. 

If this fails to clear it, you will need to check and possibly replace the temperature sensor.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Error Code E3 (1 & 4 lights flashing)

This error code indicates that the drain hose is too low or the water level is too low. Check that the drain hose is connected correctly as instructed in the user manual under installation.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Error Code E4 (1, 3 & 4 lights are flashing)

This is an indicator that the drain hose is too high or has a twist or kink which is preventing the water from draining. Check the drain hose for twists and blockages and reposition if necessary.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Error Code E5 (1, 2 & 3 lights are flashing)

This indicates an insufficient water supply pressure. This is almost always caused by the inlet hose twisted or kinked or the inlet valve is faulty or the water tap is not opened fully. In some cases it can be caused by the drain hose being positioned too low.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Error Code E6 (1, 2, 3 & 4 lights are flashing)

This error code indicates that the flood switch has been activated. You can try turning the water supply and power supply off for a few minutes before turning them both back on as this can sometimes solve this issue.

If not you will need to contact a technician to sort this for you.

How To Reset A Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher

Many of the issues, faults and error codes presented by dishwashers can often be resolved simply by resetting the appliance. There are several ways to reset a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher which include;

• Turn the dishwasher off for a few seconds and then turn it back on again.
• Press and hold the “key & lock” key for 3 to 5 seconds and then press the power button to turn the appliance off, before turning it back on again.
• Disconnect the power from your dishwasher for 10 to 15 minutes before restoring the power and turning the dishwasher on again.

This article contains all of the likely faults, error codes and potential problems you are ever going to be faced with if you own a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher. You might want to bookmark this page for future reference in the event of you ever having any issues with your appliance again.

SEE ALSO: 

• Whirlpool Dishwasher Troubleshooting
• LG Dishwasher Troubleshooting
• Bosch Dishwasher Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions