F8 E4 means the float switch in the drip pan at the base of the dishwasher has detected water, most likely from a leak. The machine disables itself and sounds an alarm as soon as that switch trips — treat it as a genuine leak warning rather than a fault to simply reset away.
What F8 E4 means
A float switch sits in the shallow drip pan under the tub. In normal operation that pan is dry. If any water reaches it — from a loose connection, a minor leak, or a genuinely overfilled tub — the float rises and the machine stops and alarms rather than keep running with water where it should not be.
Common causes
| Cause | How likely | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Loose water inlet or drain hose/clamp | Common | Connection inside the cabinet not fully tight |
| Seeping inlet valve | Common | Slow drip rather than an obvious leak |
| Worn door gasket or bottom wiper seal | Common | Water tracking down the front of the machine |
| Mis-seated sump or filter | Occasional | Filter not locked in fully after cleaning |
| Excess suds from too much detergent or rinse aid | Occasional | Foam visible in the tub |
| Float switch stuck or failed | Less common | Tray genuinely dry but F8 E4 persists |
How to fix it
- Cut power and water
Switch the dishwasher off at the breaker and close the water supply before doing anything else.
- Dry the drip tray thoroughly
Towel-dry the base pan completely, or leave it with a fan running for a while. Some units clear the code as soon as the tray is genuinely dry.
- Check the filter and sump are seated
Make sure the filter assembly is locked fully into place — a mis-seated filter is a common, easily missed cause.
- Reduce detergent and rinse aid
If excess suds is a possibility, run an empty cycle with a reduced amount to rule it out.
- Watch for the leak returning
Restore power and water, run a short cycle, and watch the base. If water reappears, you have an active leak that needs tracing to its source before the machine is used again.
When to call a professional
If the tray is dry, the filter is seated, and detergent use is normal but F8 E4 keeps returning, have a technician check the inlet valve, hose connections and door seal for a leak, or test the float switch itself for a fault.
Stop and call a qualified appliance technician or electrician if you find scorched or melted wiring, smell burning, see water that has reached electrical components, or if the fault returns immediately after a repair. Never bypass a safety device — thermal fuses, door interlocks and flood switches fail for a reason, and defeating one converts a broken appliance into a fire or flood risk.
