Written by
Tessa Brandt Appliance Care EditorPublished October 29, 2026
VERIFIED
Error codeF6 E3
ApplianceDishwasher
F6 E3 tells you the Maytag dishwasher has too much foam inside. Once the suds-sensing system picks up foam, the machine might not run properly or might not fill with water.
Why the foam appears
Maytag names three sources:
laundry detergent, hand soap, or a hand-wash dish detergent used in place of dishwasher detergent;
a rinse aid cap that was left off;
more dishwasher detergent than the load needs.
Cleanup order
Remove the dishes, and ladle the suds out using a plastic cup.
Pour in 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable cooking oil across the bottom, which suppresses what is left.
Start a complete cycle with no detergent and nothing loaded.
Follow with a second complete cycle, this time with the dispenser cups full of detergent but still no dishes.
Other F6 displays
Compare F6 E4, the water float switch, and F6 E1, a user interface error at the main control.
Maytag dishwasher service in San Francisco
Should F6 E3 come back after the foam is gone, a technician visit is the next step: ring (415) 649-2156 about Maytag dishwasher repair in San Francisco or elsewhere in the Bay Area. Mention which detergent went in and the cleanup you did.
Model compatibility: Maytag reuses codes across series and model years, so F6 E3 may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
Plain language
What this code means
Excessive suds detected by the suds-sensing system.
Important safety warning. Do not attempt repairs involving electrical components, gas, water lines, refrigerant or sealed systems. Unplug the appliance if it is safe to reach the outlet, and leave internal diagnostics to a qualified technician.
Seeing this code on your Maytag appliance?
Book a specialist visit for a clear estimate and approval before any repair.
You submit a request with your appliance model and symptom, we confirm an appointment window, and a technician performs an on-site diagnosis. You then receive a clear estimate and decide whether to proceed before any repair begins.
Yes. We provide an upfront estimate after diagnosis. No parts are ordered or installed until you approve the work, so there are no surprise charges.
Replacement parts are selected for the exact model and confirmed with you before ordering or installation.
Service areas are listed on the Locations page. Contact us with your ZIP code to confirm current coverage for your address.
Ready to get your Maytag appliance working again?
Book a repair online or call us — clear estimates and approval before any repair work begins.
