Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Error Code A6

When a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher throws Error Code A6, it’s telling you the wash spray isn’t doing its job. In plain English: the spray arm isn’t moving water the way the control expects. That can happen if the arm is loose or obstructed, or if the machine isn’t getting enough water/pressure to spin the arm properly.

A6 doesn’t always mean something is “broken.” Often it’s a simple mechanical hiccup—an arm that popped off its mount, a bit of debris lodged in a nozzle, or a clogged filter that’s choking water flow.

How A6 Typically Shows Up

You might notice one or more of these before or alongside the code: slower cycles, dishes coming out gritty, tall items still dirty on top, or unusually quiet spray sounds during the wash. Sometimes the error pops near the start of the cycle when the unit first ramps spray.

What’s Actually Going Wrong

In this fault, the control expects a certain spray performance and doesn’t see it. The common reasons are straightforward:

• A loosened or dislodged spray arm can’t hold pressure or rotate.
• Low water pressure—from the home supply, a partially closed valve, a clogged inlet screen, or a dirty internal filter—reduces force at the arm.
• Obstructions inside the arm or around it (seeds, labels, glass slivers, utensil overhangs) keep the arm from turning freely.

Quick Safety Note

Turn the dishwasher off and allow it to sit a minute before you open panels or remove parts. You won’t need special tools for the checks below—just patience and good lighting.

Fast DIY Checks (5–10 minutes)

Start simple. These steps solve most A6 cases without deeper disassembly.

1. Re-seat the spray arm
   Remove the lower rack. Gently lift the lower spray arm straight up (or twist, depending on model), then re-seat it until it clicks or sits snugly. Make sure it spins freely and doesn’t wobble. If you have an upper arm, repeat the check there.
2. Clear obvious obstructions
   Look for utensils poking through the rack, tall cutting boards blocking the arm’s path, or debris wedged in the arm’s jet holes. Flush the arm under a faucet; tap out any grit.
3. Confirm water supply
   Open the sink hot tap for 20–30 seconds, then start a cycle—this primes the hot line and stabilizes pressure. Under the sink, verify the dishwasher shutoff valve is fully open.

If A6 returns immediately after these steps, go a bit deeper.

Deeper DIY (still homeowner-friendly)

Keep things tidy—snap a quick photo of anything you remove so reassembly is simple.

• Clean the sump filter
  Pull the fine filter and coarse screen in the tub floor, rinse them well, and check for food film under the filter frame. A clogged filter restricts flow and weakens spray.
• Inspect the water inlet screen
  Where the supply hose meets the dishwasher’s inlet valve, there’s often a small mesh screen. With the water off and the hose disconnected, inspect and gently clean the screen if it’s fouled with grit.
• Check spray arm bearings/bushings
  Some arms ride on a small plastic bearing. If it’s chewed up or missing, rotation will stall. Replace the arm/bushing if wear is obvious.
• Run a controlled test
  Load the lower rack with just a couple plates. Start a wash and briefly open the door mid-cycle (be careful of splashes). The arm should have changed position each time you peek; if it hasn’t moved between pauses, rotation is still compromised.

When to Hand It to a Pro

If A6 keeps returning after re-seating the arm, clearing debris, cleaning filters, and verifying water supply, there may be a deeper issue—an inlet valve that isn’t opening fully, a circulation motor losing torque, or a sensor reading out of expected range. A technician can measure actual flow, test motor current under load, and confirm whether the arm, valve, or pump needs replacement.

Practical Fixes You Can Do Today

You don’t have to overhaul the machine—target the biggest wins:

• Re-seat or replace a wobbly spray arm if the hub is worn.
• Keep the filters clean to maintain water volume.
• Ensure the under-sink valve is fully open and the supply hose isn’t kinked.
• Space tall items so the arm path and the door vent aren’t blocked.

Preventing A6 Going Forward

A few simple habits will keep the spray arm happy and A6 out of sight.

• Load for rotation
  Keep pans and baking sheets from overhanging the lower rack where they can clip the arm. Stagger tall items so they don’t cage the arm.
• Mind labels and seeds
  Paper labels, toothpicks, and small seeds love to lodge in nozzles. A quick check before loading saves you from clogs later.
• Rinse-aid and hot starts
  Good drying isn’t the point here—but running the sink hot first and using rinse-aid helps maintain clear jets and prevents film that can slow rotation.
• Monthly clean
  Run a cleaner/descale cycle (or a citric-acid washer cleaner) monthly to keep mineral film off jets, filters, and sensors.
• Seasonal check
  Every few months, pop out the spray arms and filters for a rinse, and glance at the inlet hose and valve area. Early fixes are cheaper than big ones.

Quick Action Plan (Bookmark This)

• Re-seat the spray arm and make sure it spins freely.
• Clear the arm’s jets and any rack obstructions.
• Clean the filters; verify the shutoff valve is fully open; check the inlet screen.
• Test a short cycle with a light load.
• If A6 returns, schedule service for a deeper check of inlet valve, pump performance, and sensor readings.

Keep these steps handy, and your Fisher & Paykel should be back to strong, even spray—no code, no drama.