Whirlpool dishwasher 6-6: inlet water: cool water
6-6 means the water entering the dishwasher was cooler than about 84°F (29°C), which tells the control the hot-water supply is not delivering hot water.
What 6-6 means
- Brand
- Whirlpool
- Appliance
- Dishwasher
- Code
- 6-6
- Documented meaning
- Inlet water: cool water
- Applies to
- 108 Whirlpool models on 7 platforms
- Can you keep using it?
- Generally yes
What the dishwasher is detecting
The temperature sensor reads the water right after the fill. If it is below the control's threshold, the control records this code and adds heating time, which makes cycles longer.
Causes listed for this condition
In the order the service documentation checks them. Documented causes come from the manufacturer's service documentation for these platforms; possible causes are based on how the system works; unconfirmed marks common assumptions that the documentation does not support.
- Documented The dishwasher connected to the cold-water line instead of hot.
- Documented Water in the pipes that has not run hot yet, or a water heater set low.
- Documented A connection or sensor problem in the temperature-sensing circuit.
Safe checks you can make
- Run the kitchen faucet on hot until the water is hot before you start a cycle, so the dishwasher's first fill is not cold pipe water.
- Check the water temperature at the kitchen faucet; around 120°F is the usual recommendation for dishwashers.
- If the dishwasher was just installed, ask the installer to confirm it is connected to the hot-water line.
Further diagnosis requires opening the appliance. Beyond the owner checks, diagnosis involves removing panels, testing components and checking wiring. We describe what a technician investigates, not how to do it yourself.
What a technician checks
- Confirms the dishwasher is connected to hot water.
- Checks the temperature sensor and its circuit with power off.
Typical repairs and cost
Depending on what diagnosis finds, this code can lead to one of these repairs:
| Repair | Typical range | Labor |
|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher thermistor or turbidity sensor replacement | $180–$330 | Light |
Typical total ranges for the Las Vegas area, parts and labor included. The final cost depends on diagnosis, the exact model, parts availability and whether other damage is found.
Can you keep using it?
Generally safe to keep using. The dishwasher works, but cycles run longer and cleaning can suffer until hot water reaches it.
Whirlpool models documented with this code
- WDF310PCAB
- WDF310PCAD
- WDF310PCAS
- WDF310PCAT
- WDF310PCAW
- WDF510PAYB
- WDF510PAYT
- WDF510PAYW
- WDF530PAYQ
- WDF560SAFT
- WDF590SAJB
- WDF590SAJM
- WDF590SAJW
- WDF735PABB
- WDF735PABM
- WDF735PABW
And 92 more. Use the model lookup to check yours.
Related problems and codes
Other codes documented on the same Whirlpool platforms:
Repair or replace?
A fault code alone rarely justifies replacing a dishwasher. Most 6-6 repairs involve a single component once diagnosed. Replacement becomes worth considering when the unit is near the end of its typical 9–12-year life and the diagnosed repair is a major one. See the repair-or-replace guide.
Need 6-6 diagnosed in the Las Vegas area?
We repair Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, Amana and other Whirlpool-family appliances in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin and Boulder City. A model number helps but is never required to book.