Dishwasher will not start; display shows F1 shortly after pressing Start.

Safety first: Unplug the dishwasher or switch off the circuit breaker, and turn off the water supply before working on the unit.

• Check for water in the base: Remove the toe-kick panel at the bottom front. Use a flashlight to inspect the base pan. If you see standing water, carefully sponge or towel it out completely.
• Inspect for leaks: With the base pan dry, restore power and run a short cycle while watching underneath (use extreme caution around live wiring). Look for drips from the inlet valve, circulation pump, drain hose, or door gasket.
• Test the float switch: Locate the float or flood switch in the base. Manually move it up and down; it should click. If it’s stuck or corroded, clean it. If it doesn’t click or shows no continuity when tested with a multimeter, replace the float switch assembly.
• Reset the control: After drying the base and fixing any leaks, disconnect power for 5–10 minutes to reset the control board, then test again.

If F1 returns with a dry base and a good float switch, the electronic control board may be misreading the signal and should be tested or replaced by a technician.