Blakeslee Commercial Dishwasher Error Code E6: Tank Draining Fail
E6 TANK DRAINING FAIL means the wash tank did not empty. The manual says to check whether the overflow pipe is taken off and to contact Technical Service. If the pipe is in place, a service technician has to look at the drain.
Medium: the machine cannot empty its tank, but the problem is normally a blockage rather than a safety condition.
- Code
- E6
- Maker
- Blakeslee
- Equipment
- Dish machines
- Applies to
- D-18D / D-18V digital-control door-type
What does Blakeslee error code E6 mean?
At the end of a shift, or whenever the tank is emptied, the control opens the drain and expects the water to leave within a set time. If the tank is still holding water after that period, it stops and displays E6 TANK DRAINING FAIL. The manual lists the entry as wash tank draining failed. The manual's check about whether the overflow pipe has been taken off belongs to this alarm, so the pipe's position is the first thing to confirm. If the drain is blocked by food debris, scale or a kinked drain hose, the water cannot leave. A drain valve or pump that does not operate has the same result. The display text is E6 TANK DRAINING FAIL.
Affected models and control systems
Blakeslee D-18D / D-18V digital-control hood-type dishwasher. The manual's cover prints D-19 L and D-19 LRS and names no D-18 model, so the alarm list is read as covering this hood-type family.
Code numbers and their meaning can change between control generations. We match the full model and control before acting on a code.
What you may notice
- E6 TANK DRAINING FAIL on the display
- Water remains in the tank after draining
- Slow gurgling drain
- Debris floating in a tank that will not empty
Possible causes
Likely causes — what usually sits behind error code E6 on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- Drain blocked by food debris or scale
- Drain hose kinked or the floor drain backed up
- Drain valve or pump that does not operate
- Strainer basket packed with debris
Safe checks before calling for service
- Make sure the overflow pipe is placed as the manual describes for draining.
- Check that the scrap strainers are clear and the floor drain is not backed up.
- Try the drain again once and watch whether the level falls.
- Do not open the drain with your hands in hot water.
- Write down how fast the water leaves and whether the floor drain is full.
How a technician diagnoses error code E6
- Read the alarm record and confirm E6 is the active entry.
- Check the drain path from the tank to the floor drain for blockages and kinks.
- Inspect the tank strainer and outlet screen for debris.
- Test the drain valve or pump for supply voltage and coil or motor continuity.
- Verify the tank empties in the expected time, then replace the failed part.
- The tank may hold very hot, treated water that is a scald risk.
- Drain valves and pumps are wired at line voltage under the machine.
- Clearing a blocked outlet may mean pulling parts from inside a wet, hot tank.
How error code E6 differs from similar codes
E6 is the wash tank failing to drain. E1 is the opposite failure, where the tank will not fill.
Technical reference
- Maker documentation
- Blakeslee owner support
- Edition
- COD. 3100ET_U, Ed. 06 - 09/2018
- Models / control
- D-18D / D-18V digital-control door-type
- Section
- Chapter 8.2 Alarms, table 3 (p. 39)
- Checked
- October 2026
We use the maker's document to read the code and do not reproduce it. Always confirm the complete model and control before applying these steps.
Related Blakeslee dish machine error codes
Is E6 always a blockage?
No. A blocked drain is common, but a drain valve or pump that does not operate looks the same.
Where is the overflow pipe in all this?
The manual says to check whether it has been taken off. It is listed under both the fill and the drain alarms, so its position matters either way.
Can I bail the water out by hand?
Hot treated water is a hazard, so leave it for the technician.
Need help with Blakeslee error code E6?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.