LG Dishwasher Error Codes: Complete List with Fixes

LG dishwashers — including QuadWash, TrueSteam, and ThinQ-enabled models — use sensors to monitor water levels, temperatures, motor operation, and leak detection throughout every wash cycle. When a sensor reading is abnormal, the dishwasher halts the cycle and displays an error code on the front panel. This guide covers every LG dishwasher error code with real part numbers, diagnostic steps, and repair guidance for 2024–2026 models.

How LG Dishwasher Error Codes Work

LG dishwashers display error codes as two-letter combinations on the digital display or through blinking LED patterns on models without a screen. Most codes halt the current cycle and require manual restart after the fault is addressed. Unlike washers, LG dishwashers cannot resume a cycle after power loss — a new complete cycle must be started.

Before troubleshooting:

1. Cancel the current cycle by pressing and holding the Start button for 3 seconds.
2. Turn off the circuit breaker for 5 minutes, then restore power.
3. Select a short rinse cycle to test whether the error clears.

Always check the drain filter at the bottom of the tub before troubleshooting any code — a clogged filter is involved in 40% of LG dishwasher service calls.

AE (E1) — Leak Detected / Float Switch Activated

The AE code is the most urgent LG dishwasher error — it means the flood protection system has activated. The styrofoam float in the base pan has risen, tripping the float switch.

Common causes:

• Internal leak from the door gasket (part ADX73550623), spray arm seals, or pump connections
• Main wash pump gasket failure at the tub-to-sump junction (part ABQ75742504)
• Water inlet valve weeping (part AJU72992601)
• Float stuck in the raised position from dried detergent residue
• Damaged tub seal from hard water mineral buildup

How to fix:

1. Turn off the dishwasher and check under the unit for standing water.
2. Remove the lower kickplate panel and use towels to soak up any water in the base pan, then identify the leak source.
3. Inspect the door gasket for tears, gaps, or hardening from age and detergent exposure.
4. Run a short cycle with the kickplate removed to observe where water drips.
5. Before ordering parts, rinse the styrofoam float and guide channel with warm water. If the float was stuck in the raised position from detergent residue, AE triggers even without an actual leak.

Part cost: Door gasket (ADX73550623) $25–$45. Pump gasket kit (ABQ75742504) $15–$30. Professional repair: $150–$320.

OE — Drain Error

The dishwasher cannot drain water within the allotted time after the wash or rinse phase.

Common causes:

• Clogged mesh filter assembly at the bottom of the tub (part ADQ74693901)
• Garbage disposal knockout plug not removed on new installations
• Kinked drain hose or missing high loop under the counter
• Drain pump impeller blocked by glass shards or food debris (part EAU62043405)
• Blocked air gap fitting

How to fix:

1. Remove the bottom rack and clean the mesh filter assembly — twist the cylindrical filter counterclockwise to remove. Inspect the flat fine-mesh filter underneath for food debris, broken glass, or grease.
2. Check the drain hose connection at the garbage disposal or sink tailpiece. On newly installed disposals, the knockout plug inside the dishwasher drain port must be removed with a screwdriver and hammer — this is the most commonly overlooked cause.
3. Verify the drain hose has a high loop (mounted high under the counter) or an air gap fitting. Without this, dirty water siphons back into the dishwasher.
4. If the drain pump hums but water does not drain, debris may be blocking the pump impeller. Access the pump from underneath the unit.

Part cost: Filter assembly (ADQ74693901) $15–$25. Drain pump (EAU62043405) $35–$60. Professional repair: $80–$200.

IE — Water Supply / Fill Timeout

The dishwasher did not fill with enough water within the expected time. The unit needs at least 20 PSI water pressure to fill properly.

Common causes:

• Water supply valve under the kitchen sink closed or partially open
• Inlet hose kinked from pushing the dishwasher back into position
• Water inlet valve screen clogged with sediment (part AJU72992601)
• Sacramento hard water depositing calcium on the inlet screen
• Inlet valve solenoid stuck (diaphragm failure)

How to fix:

1. Locate the water supply valve under the kitchen sink and verify it is fully open.
2. Check the inlet hose for kinks, especially if the dishwasher was recently pulled out for maintenance.
3. Unscrew the supply hose at the dishwasher end and clean the small mesh screen with a toothbrush. Sacramento hard water deposits calcium faster than soft-water areas.
4. Verify water pressure at the kitchen faucet — LG dishwashers require 20–120 PSI.
5. If the valve clicks (solenoid fires) but no water enters, the valve diaphragm is stuck and the valve assembly needs replacement.

Part cost: Water inlet valve (AJU72992601) $25–$45. Inlet hose with screen (5220DD1001A) $15–$25. Professional repair: $80–$180.

FE — Fill Error / Overflow

The dishwasher detects water above the maximum safe level or the fill valve is stuck open. This is a flood risk.

Common causes:

• Water inlet valve stuck in the open position (part AJU72992601)
• Float switch stuck or jammed (part 3920DD3005A)
• Main control board not receiving the float signal (part EBR84433505)
• Turbidity sensor failure giving false readings on QuadWash models

How to fix:

1. Turn off the water supply valve immediately.
2. Check the base pan under the dishwasher for overflow water.
3. Inspect the float switch in the tub (small dome in the front-left corner of the tub floor) — it should move freely up and down.
4. On QuadWash models, the turbidity sensor works with the float switch to monitor water level. If the turbidity sensor fails and reads "clean," the board commands additional fill cycles. Check both sensors.
5. If the inlet valve is stuck open, water will continue to enter even with the dishwasher powered off. Turn off the supply valve as the first step.

Part cost: Water inlet valve (AJU72992601) $25–$45. Float switch (3920DD3005A) $10–$20. Main board (EBR84433505) $120–$180. Professional repair: $150–$300.

LE (CE) — Motor Error

The wash pump motor is jammed, overloaded, or its winding has failed. The dishwasher cannot circulate water for the wash phase.

Common causes:

• Wash motor impeller jammed by foreign objects — broken dish pieces, glass shards, food bones (part ABQ75742506)
• Motor winding failure from age or overheating (part EAU62043406)
• Motor control circuit failure on the main board (part EBR84433505)
• QuadWash arm hub bearing seized, overloading the motor

How to fix:

1. Reset the dishwasher by turning off the circuit breaker for 5 minutes — transient motor faults sometimes clear with a full power cycle.
2. Access the motor from under the dishwasher and attempt to rotate the impeller by hand. It should spin freely with light resistance.
3. Test motor winding resistance — the LG dishwasher wash motor should read 3–8 ohms between the phase leads.
4. On QuadWash models, check the wash arm rotation before condemning the motor — if LE appears only during the QuadWash multi-spray phase, the wash arm hub bearing may be seized.
5. If the motor spins freely and windings test OK, the motor control circuit on the main board has likely failed.

Part cost: Wash motor/pump assembly (EAU62043406) $60–$120. Motor impeller (ABQ75742506) $15–$25. Professional repair: $200–$380.

HE — Heater Error

The heating element is not raising water temperature to the expected level, or the heater relay on the main board has failed.

Common causes:

• Heating element failure — cracked, warped, or burned out (part MEE62882801)
• Thermistor sensor near the element reading incorrectly (part EBG61285808)
• Heater relay on the main board failed
• Mineral scale buildup on the element creating hot spots
• Dishwasher connected to cold water supply instead of hot

How to fix:

1. Check if the dishwasher is connected to the hot water supply — LG dishwashers require incoming water at 120°F minimum.
2. Run the hot water at the kitchen faucet until it is hot before starting the dishwasher.
3. Access the heating element at the bottom of the tub and test for continuity — a functioning element reads 15–30 ohms.
4. Inspect for visible cracks, warping, or mineral scale buildup.
5. Check the thermistor sensor near the element. If it reads incorrectly, the board may not activate the heater relay.

Part cost: Heating element (MEE62882801) $30–$60. Thermistor (EBG61285808) $10–$25. Professional repair: $170–$310.

nE — Vario Motor / Spray Arm Issue

The diverter valve motor that directs water between upper and lower spray arms is malfunctioning, or spray arm bearings have seized.

Common causes:

• Spray arm holes clogged with food debris or mineral deposits
• Spray arm pivot bearings worn from hard water deposits
• Vario/diverter motor failure (part EAU62043407)
• Steam generator nozzle blocked on TrueSteam models
• Diverter valve stuck from food grease accumulation

How to fix:

1. Remove the upper and lower spray arms and check for food debris blocking the spray holes. Clean each hole with a toothpick.
2. Clean the spray arm pivot bearings — remove each arm and flush the center mount with warm water.
3. Check that both spray arms spin freely when pushed by hand. Binding or grinding indicates worn bearings.
4. Listen for the diverter motor switching during the cycle. Access the diverter valve under the tub sump and test the motor.
5. On TrueSteam models, check the steam nozzle for mineral scale before replacing the vario motor — the steam system shares a diverter path with the spray arms.

Part cost: Spray arm assembly (AJH72949004 upper, AJH72949005 lower) $15–$30 each. Vario motor (EAU62043407) $35–$60. Professional repair: $130–$250.

tE — Thermal / Thermistor Error

The thermistor sensor is sending abnormal temperature readings to the control board.

Common causes:

• Thermistor failure from heat and moisture exposure (part EBG61285808)
• Sensor wiring corroded from detergent chemicals in the sump area
• Heating element shorted to ground, sending false temperature signals
• Main board analog input failed
• Hard water scale coating the thermistor probe

How to fix:

1. Access the thermistor in the tub sump area near the heating element.
2. Disconnect the sensor and measure resistance — at room temperature (77°F/25°C) it should read approximately 10k ohms (NTC type).
3. Check the sensor wiring for corrosion from moisture and detergent chemicals.
4. Verify the heating element is not shorted to ground — a leaking element can send false temperature signals through the chassis.
5. If in a hard water area (Sacramento averages 16 grains), try descaling the sensor probe with white vinegar before replacing it.

Part cost: Thermistor (EBG61285808) $10–$25. Main control board (EBR84433505) $120–$180 if analog input failed. Professional repair: $140–$280.

bE — Improper Detergent / Unit Not Level

The dishwasher has detected excessive suds or the tilt sensor indicates the unit is not properly leveled.

Common causes:

• Hand dish soap used instead of automatic dishwasher detergent
• Too much detergent added
• Unit not level — tilt sensor triggered from floor settling
• Floor settlement common in California homes on post-tension slabs

How to fix:

1. If suds are visible inside the tub, cancel the cycle and add 1/2 cup of cooking oil or run several rinse cycles to break down the foam.
2. Use only automatic dishwasher detergent — hand dish soap creates massive suds that overflow the base pan.
3. Place a bubble level on the front edge of the tub and on the side edge to check both axes.
4. Adjust the front leveling legs until the unit is level. On California homes with settling slabs, this may need periodic rechecking.

Part cost: No parts needed in most cases. Leveling adjustment is free.

PF — Power Failure

The dishwasher experienced a power interruption during a cycle. A new complete cycle must be started.

How to fix:

1. Press Power, select a new cycle, and press Start.
2. If PF appears frequently, check the circuit breaker and wiring connections at the junction box under the dishwasher.
3. Verify the dishwasher is on a dedicated circuit — sharing with a garbage disposal that cycles on and off can cause voltage dips.
4. Inspect wire connections at the dishwasher junction box for loose wire nuts or signs of arcing.

Part cost: No parts needed unless wiring is damaged at the junction box.

LG Dishwasher Diagnostic Modes

1. Smart Diagnosis (Audio): Turn on the dishwasher. Call LG support (1-800-243-0000) and when instructed, press and hold the Rinse button while holding your phone speaker to the front panel. The unit transmits an audio signal decoded by LG's system.

2. LG ThinQ App Diagnosis: Open the ThinQ app, select your dishwasher, tap Smart Diagnosis. The app pulls error logs, cycle data, and sensor readings via WiFi.

3. Manual Test Mode: With the dishwasher off and door closed, press and hold the Rinse + Spray buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds. The unit enters diagnostic mode, running fill, wash motor, drain, and heater tests in sequence. Listen and observe each phase for abnormal sounds or non-activation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does my LG dishwasher show AE but there is no visible leak? A: The styrofoam float in the base pan may be stuck in the raised position from dried detergent residue. Remove the lower kickplate, locate the float in the base pan, and rinse it and the guide channel with warm water. If the float was stuck, AE triggers without an actual leak. This false positive accounts for about 20% of AE service calls.

Q: My LG dishwasher shows OE on its very first use after installation. What is wrong? A: The most commonly overlooked cause: the garbage disposal knockout plug. When a new disposal is installed, the dishwasher drain port has a plastic plug that must be knocked out with a screwdriver and hammer from inside the disposal. Forgetting this creates a 100% blockage. If your dishwasher drains to the sink tailpiece instead, check for a missing high loop.

Q: Can I use pods/tablets in my LG QuadWash dishwasher? A: Yes, dishwasher pods and tablets are compatible with all LG dishwashers. Place the pod in the main detergent dispenser cup, not loose in the tub. Placing it loose can cause it to dissolve too early during the pre-rinse phase, leaving no detergent for the main wash. If you see bE errors, verify you are not accidentally using laundry pods — they produce excessive suds.

Q: How do I prevent hard water buildup inside my LG dishwasher? A: Run an empty cycle monthly with a dishwasher cleaner or 2 cups of white vinegar placed in a bowl on the top rack. Sacramento hard water (16 grains average) deposits calcium on spray arm holes, thermistors, and the heating element. Monthly descaling prevents IE, tE, and HE errors and extends component lifespan by 2–3 years.

Q: Why do my LG dishwasher dishes come out wet even without an error code? A: The drying cycle relies on the heating element and residual heat. If dishes are wet but no HE code appears, the heater may work during wash but the dry-cycle relay on the board fails independently. Try using Rinse Aid (fill the dispenser on the inner door) — it reduces water surface tension and dramatically improves drying without relying solely on the heater.

When to Call a Professional

These LG dishwasher issues are best handled by a trained technician:

• AE with recurring leaks — If AE returns after mopping up water, the leak source requires systematic diagnosis. Tub-to-sump junction leaks and pump seal failures are not visible without partial disassembly.
• LE/CE motor errors — A failed wash motor requires removal of the entire sump assembly from underneath the dishwasher. The motor, impeller, seals, and gaskets are an integrated assembly on most LG models.
• FE overflow — A stuck-open inlet valve poses an immediate flood risk. A technician can replace the valve and verify the float switch and control board are functioning correctly.
• HE with element replacement — The heating element is at the bottom of the tub with limited access. Mineral scale on hard-water units may have also damaged the thermistor and board relay.
• Multiple codes in sequence — If your dishwasher cycles through several codes (e.g., IE then OE then LE), the main control board is likely the root cause.

LG dishwasher showing an error code? EasyBear's certified technicians specialize in LG dishwasher repair for QuadWash, TrueSteam, and all ThinQ-connected models. We offer free diagnostic visits and carry common LG dishwasher parts in stock. Our tech diagnoses the exact problem, explains your repair options, and fixes it on the spot in most cases. Every repair is backed by our 90-day parts and labor warranty. Schedule your free diagnosis today.