When a Bertazzoni dishwasher throws E06, it’s telling you the drain system isn’t clearing water the way it should. Most of the time that points to a restriction or a weak drain pump, but the drain hose and wiring—or, less commonly, the control board—can be involved too.
Why E06 shows up
Think of drainage as a chain: filter → pump → hose → sink/disposal. If any link is blocked or weak, the machine times out and posts E06.
- Clogged pump or filter: food sludge, coffee grounds, rice, labels.
- Tired/faulty pump motor: impeller worn, motor seized, water in the motor.
- Kinked/blocked hose: crushed behind the cabinet, grease plug at the air gap or disposal knock-out not removed.
- Control issue (rare): relay on the board not driving the pump.
Quick checks you can do safely
Unplug the dishwasher (or switch off the breaker) and turn off the water supply before you start. Keep a towel handy—there’s usually a little standing water.
- Clear the filter and sump
Pop out the bottom filter and screen. Scoop out debris from the sump well. Spin the small pump impeller with a finger or a plastic tool; it should turn smoothly without grinding. - Listen and observe a drain attempt
Restore power and start a drain cycle. If you hear the pump but water doesn’t leave, suspect a blockage downstream (hose/air gap/disposal). If you don’t hear the pump at all, revisit the pump connection or the pump itself. - Inspect the drain path
Pull the toe-kick if needed and trace the hose. Look for kinks or low points packed with gunk. Check the air gap (if fitted) and the disposal inlet—remove the knockout if it’s a new disposal install. - Basic pump assessment
Power back off. Disconnect the hose at the pump and at the sink end to flush it in a sink or outside. With the hose off, shine a light into the pump port: broken glass, seeds, or twist ties can wedge the impeller. If the impeller wobbles or the pump shows water intrusion or burnt smell, plan on replacement.
Safety note: If you’re not comfortable testing live voltage or removing panels, stop here. Electrical checks should be done by a qualified technician.
When it’s likely the pump (and not just a clog)
- E06 returns immediately after clearing filters and hoses.
- Pump is silent during drain (no hum) or hums loudly but doesn’t move water.
- Impeller feels loose, chipped, or won’t spin freely by hand (with power off).
In these cases, replacement of the drain pump assembly is usually the cleanest fix.
Control board as the last suspect
Boards fail less often than mechanical parts. Consider the board only after:
- The filter/sump/hose are clear,
- The pump has known-good power but won’t run, or
- A known-good pump still won’t energize.
A tech can check output voltage to the pump during drain and inspect the board for scorched relays or cracked solder joints.
Good habits that prevent E06
You don’t need to baby the machine—just keep the drain path clean and the loads sensible.
- Rinse the filter weekly if you cook often; monthly if you don’t.
- Scrape, don’t pre-wash: remove bones, peels, toothpicks, and labels that love to jam impellers.
- Mind the hose routing: no sharp bends behind the cabinet; maintain a proper high loop or air gap.
- Use the right detergent and amount: overdosing can create residue that settles in the sump.
- Avoid overloading: water flow matters; if spray arms can’t spin, food rides straight to the pump.
If you want, tell me your model number and what you’re hearing during the drain stage (silent hum, loud buzz, or normal whir), and I’ll tailor the next steps—down to part numbers and a short DIY checklist.
