DNA-dependent ATPase that plays a role in chromatin remodeling. Regulates transcription by disrupting nucleosomes in a largely non-sliding manner which strongly increases the accessibility of chromatin (PubMed:28533432). Activates transcription of specific genes in response to oxidative stress through interaction with NFE2L2. (Microbial infection) Acts as a transcriptional repressor of different viruses including influenza virus or papillomavirus. During influenza virus infection, the viral polymerase complex localizes CHD6 to inactive chromatin where it gets degraded in a proteasome independent-manner. ATP + H2O = ADP + H(+) + phosphate Interacts with NFE2L2; involved in activation of the transcription. (Microbial infection) Interacts with the influenza A polymerase complex composed fo PB1, PB2 and PA. (Microbial infection) Interacts (via N-terminus) with human papillomavirus protein E8^E2C (via C-terminus); this interaction induces transcriptional repression of the viral genome. Enriched at sites of mRNA synthesis (PubMed:17027977). During influenza A virus infection, localizes to inactive chromatin. Widely expressed. A chromosomal aberration disrupting CHD6 has been found in a patient with mild to moderate intellectual disability and minor facial anomalies. Translocation t(18;20)(q21.1;q11.2) with TCF4 producing a CHD6-TCF4 fusion transcript (PubMed:18627065). Belongs to the SNF2/RAD54 helicase family. Truncated N-terminus. Truncated N-terminus. The sequence differs from position 1528 onward for unknown reasons.