KitchenAid Dishwasher Error Code 1-1

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: June 10, 2026

⚠ Medium Severity 🔧🔧 Moderate DIY

Thermistor failure — water temperature sensor fault

The most common cause of the 1-1 error on a KitchenAid dishwasher is thermistor open circuit (~65% of cases); start with: power cycle the dishwasher.

💰 DIY cost: $15–$40 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $150–$280 Save $135+ by doing it yourself

KitchenAid Dishwasher error code 1-1 on the display panel — How the 1-1 code appears on a KitchenAid dishwasher display

What Does Error Code 1-1 Mean on a KitchenAid Dishwasher?

Thermistor failure — water temperature sensor fault.

Code 1-1 fires when the control board reads the NTC wash-water thermistor as open or wildly outside its expected resistance band (roughly 6k ohms at room temperature). The board then disables the heating circuit as a safety measure, so cycles run cold or stall before the heated portion. Unlike codes tied to the heater element itself or to fill/drain faults, 1-1 points specifically at the temperature-sensing input — a failed sensor, a loose sump connector, or a harness break rather than the heater or water level.

Models affected: KitchenAid dishwashers using the 1-1 diagnostic scheme, including models such as KDTM404KPS and KDFE104HPS, as well as similar sump-mounted-thermistor designs

What owners report: Owners commonly report cool dishes, poor drying, or a cycle that seems to hang partway before this code shows. A power cycle at the breaker sometimes clears what turns out to be a transient glitch or a partly seated connector, so reseating the sump plug is often the quick win before buying a new thermistor.

What Causes Error Code 1-1?

Here are the most common causes in order of frequency. Start with the most likely cause before moving to the next:

1

Thermistor open circuit 65% of cases
2

Connector loose 25% of cases
3

Wiring fault 10% of cases

How to Fix KitchenAid Dishwasher Error Code 1-1

🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Est. time: 30–60 min

⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.

1

Power cycle the dishwasher

Switch off the dishwasher's breaker for 60 seconds (most are hardwired), then restore power to clear a transient sensor fault.
2

Test the thermistor

With power off, measure the thermistor resistance — about 6k ohms at room temperature; an open or far-off reading confirms failure.

🔩 Multimeter

⚠️ Disconnect power before servicing.
3

Replace the thermistor

Swap the thermistor, mounted in the sump, if it reads open or out of range — an inexpensive bolt-in sensor.

🔩 Thermistor ($15–$40)

How to Reset Error Code 1-1

Turn off power at the breaker for 60 seconds (most KitchenAid dishwashers are hardwired), then restore power. After replacing the thermistor, run a normal cycle and verify the water heats without 1-1 returning.

Note: If the error returns after resetting, the underlying issue has not been resolved. Work through the fix steps above.

Full KitchenAid dishwasher reset guide → Enter diagnostic mode →

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

If a new thermistor reads correctly but 1-1 persists, the control board's sensor input circuit or the wiring harness to the thermistor has failed and should be traced by a technician.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150–$280

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code 1-1 appears on these other brands too.

Kenmore Dishwasher F1E1

Control board memory error — stuck relay or corrupted firmware

Find Replacement Parts

Use these links to find the exact replacement parts for your KitchenAid Dishwasher:

🔩

Search PartSelect

KitchenAid Dishwasher repair parts

🔧

Search RepairClinic

Step-by-step video guides

External links — ApplianceErrors.com is not affiliated with these retailers.

More KitchenAid Dishwasher Error Codes

7-1 Drain pump failure — dishwasher not draining 6-2 Stuck relay on control board

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my KitchenAid Dishwasher when error 1-1 appears? +

You often can for a cycle or two, but the sensor issue behind 1-1 will keep interrupting normal operation until it is fixed. Plan the repair rather than ignoring the code.

What most commonly causes 1-1 on a KitchenAid Dishwasher? +

Across reported KitchenAid dishwasher repairs, the most frequent is thermistor open circuit (65% of cases), connector loose (25%), then wiring fault (10%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.

1-1 keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +

A reset only clears the stored 1-1 fault; if it returns, the sensor problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — power cycle the dishwasher, then test the thermistor — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a moderate job — a multimeter and some disassembly are usually involved.

How much does it cost to fix KitchenAid Dishwasher error 1-1? +

A DIY repair typically runs $15–$40 in parts, versus $150–$280 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $135. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.

Which KitchenAid Dishwasher models show error 1-1? +

1-1 is documented on KitchenAid dishwashers using the 1-1 diagnostic scheme, including models such as KDTM404KPS and KDFE104HPS, as well as similar sump-mounted-thermistor designs. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

• KitchenAid Product Help — official manufacturer documentation
• Our editorial & verification policy

Content verified against manufacturer service documentation. Last verified: June 10, 2026.

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