What do the LG Dishwasher error codes mean?
All LG dishwasher error codes explained with step-by-step fixes. Covers all LG and LG Studio models including AE, OE, IE, FE, LE, HE, and more.
- AE — Leak Detected / Float Switch Activated
- OE — Drain Error
- IE — Water Supply / Fill Timeout
- FE — Fill Error / Overflow
- LE — Wash Motor Error
- HE — Heater Error
LG Dishwasher Error Codes — Quick Reference#
| Code | Meaning | Severity | DIY? |
|---|---|---|---|
| AE(E1) | Leak Detected / Float Switch Activated | high | Pro Only |
| OE | Drain Error | medium | DIY OK |
| IE | Water Supply / Fill Timeout | medium | DIY OK |
| FE | Fill Error / Overflow | high | Pro Only |
| LE(CE) | Wash Motor Error | high | Pro Only |
| HE | Heater Error | high | Pro Only |
| nE | Spray Arm / Vario Motor Error | medium | Pro Only |
| tE | Thermal / Thermistor Error | high | Pro Only |
| bE | Improper Detergent / Unit Not Level | low | DIY OK |
| PF | Power Failure | low | DIY OK |
| CL | Child Lock Active | low | DIY OK |
| E1 | Water Leak in Base Pan | high | Pro Only |
| TE | Water Temperature Too High | medium | DIY OK |
| DRn | Drain In Progress (Not an Error) | low | DIY OK |
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AE — Leak Detected / Float Switch Activated#
Common Causes
- Internal leak(common) — A hose connection, pump seal, or spray arm fitting is leaking water into the base pan where the float switch detects it.
- Door seal failure(occasional) — The rubber door gasket is worn or displaced, allowing water to drip past the door during operation.
- Tub crack(rare) — A crack in the stainless steel or plastic tub allows water to seep into the base pan.
Professional Repair
Estimated Cost
$150-300
Repair Time
45-90 minutes
Leak detection requires removing the dishwasher from the cabinet, tipping it to drain the base pan, running a test cycle, and observing for the leak source. In our Sacramento service calls, hose clamp tightening resolves AE about 35% of the time without parts replacement.
OE — Drain Error#
Common Causes
- Clogged filter(common) — Food particles accumulate in the fine mesh filter, blocking water flow to the drain pump.
- Kinked drain hose(common) — The drain hose under the sink is kinked or compressed against the cabinet wall.
- Garbage disposal blockage(occasional) — The disposal knockout plug was not removed, or food is clogging the disposal where the dishwasher drain connects.
- Drain pump failure(rare) — The small drain pump motor burns out or an object jams the impeller.
DIY Fix
Warning
Scoop out standing water from the tub before servicing the filter.
- Clean the dishwasher filter (bottom of tub, twist to remove).
- Check the drain hose under the sink for kinks.
- If connected to a garbage disposal, run it to clear any blockage.
- For new disposal installations, verify the knockout plug was removed.
- Run a rinse cycle to test drainage.
Professional Repair
Estimated Cost
$150-250
Repair Time
30-60 minutes
If cleaning and hose checks fail, the drain pump needs replacement. Based on our Bay Area service data, the garbage disposal knockout plug causes 25% of new installation drain errors.
IE — Water Supply / Fill Timeout#
Common Causes
- Water supply valve closed(common) — The hot water supply valve under the sink is not fully open.
- Clogged inlet screen(common) — Sediment blocks the mesh filter at the water inlet valve connection.
- Inlet valve failure(occasional) — The solenoid-operated inlet valve fails to open when energized.
DIY Fix
Warning
Place a towel under the connection before disconnecting.
- Open the cabinet under the sink and verify the dishwasher supply valve is fully open.
- Turn off the valve and disconnect the supply line from the dishwasher.
- Clean the inlet screen with a toothbrush and vinegar.
- Reconnect, turn on water, and check for leaks.
Professional Repair
Estimated Cost
$130-220
Repair Time
30-45 minutes
If supply line and screen are clear but the dishwasher will not fill, the inlet valve needs replacement.
LG Repair Tools Required
DIY tool investment: $0+ just for basics. Our technician arrives with $15,000+ in professional tools — your diagnostic is free.
FE — Fill Error / Overflow#
Common Causes
- Inlet valve stuck open(common) — The water inlet valve fails in the open position, continuously allowing water to flow into the tub.
- Float switch failure(occasional) — The anti-overflow float sensor does not detect rising water, allowing overfill.
Professional Repair
Estimated Cost
$150-250
Repair Time
30-45 minutes
Turn off the water supply under the sink immediately. If water continues flowing with the dishwasher off and unplugged, the inlet valve is stuck open and must be replaced.
LE — Wash Motor Error#
Common Causes
- Wash motor failure(common) — The main circulation pump motor burns out or seizes, unable to move water through the spray arms.
- Motor wiring issue(occasional) — The connector at the motor loosens from vibration during wash cycles.
- Impeller blockage(occasional) — A piece of glass, bone, or utensil jams the circulation pump impeller.
Professional Repair
Estimated Cost
$200-350
Repair Time
60-90 minutes
The wash motor is under the dishwasher tub. Accessing it requires removing the unit from the cabinet. In our Sacramento service calls, impeller blockage is found in about 25% of LE cases and just requires clearing.
HE — Heater Error#
Common Causes
- Heating element failure(common) — The in-line or flow-through heater burns out, preventing water from reaching the target wash temperature.
- Thermostat failure(occasional) — The thermostat monitoring water temperature fails, cutting power to the heater prematurely.
Professional Repair
Estimated Cost
$180-300
Repair Time
45-60 minutes
The heater is under the tub and requires removing the dishwasher. LG uses a flow-through heater on most models, which heats water as it circulates through a narrow tube.
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nE — Spray Arm / Vario Motor Error#
Common Causes
- Spray arm motor failure(common) — The motor that directs water between upper and lower spray arms fails.
- Spray arm obstruction(occasional) — A utensil or dish prevents the diverter mechanism from switching spray arms.
Professional Repair
Estimated Cost
$150-280
Repair Time
45-60 minutes
The diverter motor is in the sump area under the tub. First check that no items are blocking the spray arms from rotating.
tE — Thermal / Thermistor Error#
Common Causes
- Thermistor failure(common) — The NTC thermistor monitoring wash water temperature fails open or shorted.
- Wiring connection loose(occasional) — The thermistor connector loosens from vibration during cycles.
Professional Repair
Estimated Cost
$120-200
Repair Time
30-45 minutes
The thermistor is in the sump area. It should read approximately 10-15k ohms at room temperature. Requires accessing the underside of the dishwasher.
bE — Improper Detergent / Unit Not Level#
Common Causes
- Wrong detergent type(common) — Using hand dish soap instead of dishwasher detergent creates excessive suds.
- Unit not level(occasional) — The dishwasher is tilted, causing water to pool unevenly and triggering the sensor.
DIY Fix
Warning
Using hand dish soap creates extreme suds and can overflow the dishwasher.
- Verify you are using dishwasher detergent (not hand dish soap).
- Place a level on the door opening of the dishwasher.
- Adjust the front leveling legs until the bubble is centered.
- Tighten the lock nuts.
Professional Repair
Estimated Cost
$89-120
Repair Time
15 minutes
This is almost always user-correctable. Professional help is rarely needed.
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PF — Power Failure#
Common Causes
- Power interruption during cycle(common) — The dishwasher lost power during a wash cycle.
DIY Fix
- Press Start to resume the interrupted cycle.
- If PF appears without a power outage, check the circuit breaker and outlet connection.
Professional Repair
Estimated Cost
$89
Repair Time
10 minutes
If PF occurs frequently without actual outages, have an electrician check the circuit.
CL — Child Lock Active#
Common Causes
- Child lock activated(common) — The child lock feature was enabled, preventing button operation.
DIY Fix
- Press and hold the Child Lock button for 3-5 seconds until the CL indicator disappears.
- On some models, press and hold Rinse + Spray for 3 seconds.
Professional Repair
Estimated Cost
$0
Repair Time
0 minutes
Not an error. No repair needed.
E1 — Water Leak in Base Pan#
Common Causes
- Same as AE code(common) — E1 is an alternate display for AE (leak detected). Water has reached the float switch in the base pan.
Professional Repair
Estimated Cost
$150-300
Repair Time
45-90 minutes
Same diagnostic process as AE. The dishwasher must be removed and inspected for the leak source.
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TE — Water Temperature Too High#
Common Causes
- Water heater temperature too high(common) — The household water heater is set above 150F, exceeding the dishwasher safe temperature limit.
- Heater relay stuck(rare) — The relay powering the internal heater is stuck closed, overheating water.
DIY Fix
- Check your household water heater thermostat and lower to 120F.
- Run the hot water faucet near the dishwasher until it feels hot but not scalding before starting a cycle.
- If the error persists with water at 120F, the internal heater relay may be stuck.
Professional Repair
Estimated Cost
$150-250
Repair Time
30-45 minutes
If the water heater is at a normal temperature, the control board relay may be stuck, requiring board replacement.
DRn — Drain In Progress (Not an Error)#
Common Causes
- Normal drain cycle(common) — The dishwasher is in its drain phase. This is a status indicator, not an error.
DIY Fix
- Wait for the drain cycle to complete (2-3 minutes).
- If DRn persists for over 5 minutes, the drain may be clogged. Follow OE troubleshooting steps.
Professional Repair
Estimated Cost
$0
Repair Time
0 minutes
Normal operation. Only requires attention if the drain phase does not complete.
How to Enter LG Dishwasher Diagnostic Mode#
- Ensure the dishwasher is powered on and the door is closed.
- Press and hold Rinse + Spray simultaneously for 3 seconds.
- The display enters test mode and cycles through component tests.
- Use the LG ThinQ app for Smart Diagnosis on Wi-Fi-enabled models.
- Press Power to exit diagnostic mode.
LG Smart Diagnosis (phone): call 1-800-243-0000, hold the Start button while placing your phone speaker near the display panel. The dishwasher sends an audio tone sequence.
LG Dishwasher Broken? Same-Day Diagnostic Available
Our certified technicians serve the Bay Area and Sacramento. Free diagnostic visit — we identify the problem, quote the repair, and fix it on the spot in most cases. No hidden fees.
Licensed & Insured · 90-Day Warranty · Same-Day Service
LG Dishwasher Repair Cost Guide#
| Repair | Parts | Labor | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drain pump replacement | $30-55 | $100-150 | $130-205 |
| Wash motor replacement | $80-150 | $120-180 | $200-330 |
| Door gasket replacement | $30-55 | $80-120 | $110-175 |
| Control board replacement | $100-180 | $100-150 | $200-330 |
| Heater assembly replacement | $40-80 | $120-160 | $160-240 |
| Water inlet valve replacement | $25-45 | $80-120 | $105-165 |
Frequently Asked Questions#
What does LG dishwasher AE error code mean?
AE means the dishwasher detected a water leak. The float switch in the base pan activated, indicating water where there should not be any. Turn off the dishwasher and the water supply valve under the sink. Call for service. In our Sacramento service calls, hose clamp tightening resolves AE about 35% of the time without parts.
How do I fix LG dishwasher OE drain error?
OE is the most common LG dishwasher error. Clean the filter at the bottom of the tub (twist to remove), check the drain hose under the sink for kinks, and run the garbage disposal if connected. For new disposal installations, verify the knockout plug was removed. Based on our Bay Area service data, filter cleaning resolves OE about 65% of the time.
Why is my LG dishwasher not cleaning well?
Poor cleaning is usually caused by a dirty filter, blocked spray arms, low water temperature, or using the wrong detergent amount. Clean the filter weekly, verify spray arms spin freely, run hot water at the sink before starting a cycle, and use a quality detergent tablet. Ensure water temperature is at least 120F at the tap.
How do I reset my LG dishwasher?
Turn off the dishwasher at the circuit breaker for 60 seconds, then turn it back on. This clears most temporary error codes. On some models, press and hold Start for 3 seconds to initiate a reset. If error codes persist after reset, the underlying issue needs to be addressed.
Is LG dishwasher error code LE serious?
Yes, LE indicates the wash motor cannot operate. The motor may have failed, or a foreign object could be jamming the impeller. This requires professional diagnosis. In our experience, impeller blockage is found about 25% of the time and just requires clearing. Motor replacement costs $200-330 total.
How do I clean the LG dishwasher filter?
Open the lower rack and locate the cylindrical filter assembly at the center-bottom of the tub. Turn the filter handle counterclockwise and lift out. Separate the fine mesh filter from the coarse filter. Rinse both under running water with a soft brush. Reinstall by pressing down and turning clockwise. Clean every 1-2 weeks for best results.
What does LG dishwasher FE code mean?
FE means the dishwasher detected an overflow condition. Turn off the water supply valve under the sink immediately. The inlet valve is likely stuck open. This requires professional repair to replace the inlet valve ($150-250 total).
How long do LG dishwashers last?
Based on our repair data in the Sacramento and Bay Area regions, LG dishwashers average 8-12 years. The most common failure points are the drain pump (4-7 years), door gasket (5-8 years), and wash motor (6-10 years). Regular filter cleaning and proper detergent use extend lifespan significantly.
Can I use any detergent in my LG dishwasher?
Use only dishwasher-specific detergent (tablets, pods, or powder). Never use hand dish soap, which creates extreme suds and can overflow the dishwasher (triggers bE code). LG recommends rinse aid for optimal drying results. Pod or tablet detergents generally perform better than powder in modern LG dishwashers.
How do I use LG Smart Diagnosis on my dishwasher?
Open the LG ThinQ app, select your dishwasher, and tap Smart Diagnosis. Alternatively, call 1-800-243-0000, hold the Start button while placing your phone speaker near the display. The dishwasher sends an audio tone that LG decodes remotely. Smart Diagnosis identifies the error and provides repair recommendations.
LG Repair Tools Required
DIY tool investment: $0+ just for basics. Our technician arrives with $15,000+ in professional tools — your diagnostic is free.
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