LG Dishwasher Error Codes

Quick Reference: LG Dishwasher Error Codes at a Glance

LG Dishwasher Water & Drainage Error Codes (OE, IE, FE)

OE Error Code — Dishwasher Not Draining

What it means: The dishwasher cannot drain water from the tub. OE is one of the most frequently reported LG dishwasher error codes.

DIY troubleshooting steps:

1. Cancel the current cycle and open the door carefully.
2. Remove and rinse the filter basket at the bottom of the tub — food debris is the most common cause of OE.
3. Inspect the drain hose at the back of the unit. It should arc upward (high loop) before connecting to the drain. If it's kinked or positioned too low, straighten it.
4. Check the air gap near your sink (a small cylindrical cap, if installed) and clear any blockages.
5. Run a short rinse cycle to confirm the error is cleared.

When to call a pro: If the filter and drain hose are clear but the OE code persists, the drain pump motor may be failing and will need professional diagnosis and replacement.

IE Error Code — Dishwasher Not Getting Enough Water

What it means: The dishwasher did not fill with water within the expected time window.

DIY troubleshooting steps:

1. Confirm the water supply valve under the sink is fully open.
2. Inspect the inlet hose for kinks or bends.
3. Verify your home water pressure (LG recommends 20–120 PSI).
4. Clean the inlet valve screen: turn off the water supply, disconnect the inlet hose at the back of the dishwasher, and rinse the small mesh filter inside the port.
5. Use a spirit level on the open door to confirm the unit is level — an uneven installation can affect fill sensors.

When to call a pro: If the water supply is confirmed good but IE persists, the inlet valve itself may have failed and needs replacement.

FE Error Code — Dishwasher Overfilling with Water

What it means: The dishwasher has detected more water than it should hold.

DIY troubleshooting steps:

1. Power off the dishwasher immediately.
2. Locate the float switch inside the tub (a small plastic dome, usually in the front-left corner). Gently lift it — it may be stuck in the down position.
3. Inspect the water inlet valve for signs that it's not closing fully after a fill cycle.

When to call a pro: A continuously running inlet valve usually means the valve solenoid has failed — a repair that requires part replacement.

LG Dishwasher Heating Error Codes (HE, tE, E2)

HE Error Code — Heating Element Not Working

What it means: The dishwasher cannot reach the correct water temperature for washing or drying.

DIY troubleshooting steps:

1. Perform a full power reset (see the reset guide below).
2. Confirm you haven't selected a cold-water or energy-saver cycle by mistake.
3. If the error returns after a reset, the heating element or its wiring is likely the cause.

When to call a pro: Heating element replacement requires accessing the interior base of the tub and working with electrical connections. This repair is best handled by a certified technician.

tE / TE Error Code — Temperature Sensor (Thermistor) Fault

What it means: The thermistor — the sensor that monitors water temperature — is reading outside its expected range. This can be due to a failed sensor or a loose wiring connection.

DIY troubleshooting steps:

1. Power cycle the dishwasher (unplug for 60 seconds, then restart).
2. If you're comfortable doing so, check the thermistor wiring harness for any loose or visibly burnt connections.

When to call a pro: A thermistor fault that survives a reset requires parts replacement and internal disassembly.

E2 Error Code — Water Temperature Sensor Out of Range

What it means: Similar to the tE code, E2 indicates the water temperature sensor is returning an invalid reading.

DIY troubleshooting steps:

1. Perform a power reset.
2. If the code reappears, the sensor or its wiring connector needs inspection.

When to call a pro: Any persistent temperature sensor code warrants professional diagnosis to distinguish between a sensor failure and a wiring issue.

LG Dishwasher Motor & Mechanical Error Codes (LE, CE, NE)

LE Error Code — Motor Locked or Stalled

What it means: The wash motor has stalled or locked up, often due to debris near the pump or a motor winding failure.

DIY troubleshooting steps:

1. Turn off the dishwasher and disconnect power for 15 minutes to allow the motor to cool and reset.
2. Remove the bottom spray arm and filter basket. Check carefully for foreign objects — glass shards, small utensils, or food debris — that may have reached the pump housing.
3. Clear any debris and reinstall the components.
4. Restart and run a short cycle.

When to call a pro: If LE returns immediately after a reset with no debris found, the motor windings are likely damaged and the motor needs replacement.

CE Error Code — Motor Overcurrent

What it means: The motor is drawing more electrical current than expected, signalling a motor strain or internal electrical fault.

DIY troubleshooting steps:

1. Disconnect power for 15 minutes.
2. Check for any obstruction near the pump intake.
3. Restore power and restart.

When to call a pro: Recurring CE errors almost always indicate motor or control board failure. Do not continue running the dishwasher — call a technician to prevent further damage.

NE Error Code — Spray Arm Motor Error

What it means: The motor that rotates the spray arms is not functioning correctly.

DIY troubleshooting steps:

1. Power cycle the unit.
2. Remove both spray arms and inspect them for clogged nozzles and debris in the central bearing mount.
3. Reinstall and test with a short cycle.

When to call a pro: If the spray arms rotate freely by hand and the nozzles are clear, the spray arm motor itself needs professional replacement.

LG Dishwasher Leak & Safety Error Codes (AE/E1, BE)

AE / E1 Error Code — Leak Detected

What it means: Water has been detected in the dishwasher's base pan, indicating a leak somewhere in the system.

DIY troubleshooting steps:

1. Turn off the dishwasher and close the water supply valve immediately.
2. Inspect the door gasket (the rubber seal around the door frame) for tears, cracks, or debris that could be breaking the seal.
3. Check the inlet and drain hose connections at the back of the unit — these can loosen over time.
4. Inspect the spray arm joints for cracks.
5. Look under and behind the dishwasher for pooled water.

When to call a pro: Any confirmed leak should be assessed by a technician promptly. Running the dishwasher with an active leak risks serious water damage to your cabinetry and subfloor.

BE Error Code — Stuck or Faulty Control Panel Button

What it means: The dishwasher has detected a button on the control panel that is stuck, shorted, or registering a continuous press. This is a control panel or button-related fault.

DIY troubleshooting steps:

1. Power cycle the dishwasher (60-second unplug).
2. Inspect the control panel buttons — press each one to confirm none are physically stuck or jammed.
3. Clean around the buttons gently with a dry cloth to remove any moisture or residue that may be causing a false reading.

When to call a pro: If a button is visibly damaged or stuck and cannot be freed, the control panel or keypad assembly will need replacement.

LG Dishwasher Electrical & Other Error Codes (PF, dE, CL)

PF Error Code — Power Failure

What it means: The dishwasher detected an interruption to its power supply during a cycle.

DIY troubleshooting steps:

1. Check your home's electrical panel — reset any tripped circuit breaker.
2. Ensure the dishwasher is not on an extension cord. It must run on a dedicated or properly rated circuit.
3. Press Power to restart and select a new cycle.

When to call a pro: If PF appears repeatedly without any household power outage, there may be a loose electrical connection or a failing control board — both require professional inspection.

dE Error Code — Door Not Properly Closed

What it means: The dishwasher cannot detect that the door is fully closed and latched.

DIY troubleshooting steps:

1. Firmly push the door closed until you feel it click into the latch.
2. Inspect the door latch mechanism for visible damage or debris blocking engagement.
3. Check the door gasket — if it has bunched up or shifted, it can prevent the door from seating properly.

When to call a pro: A broken or worn door latch needs replacement to restore a proper seal.

CL — Child Lock Is Active (Not an Error)

What it means: CL is not a fault code. It means the Child Lock feature is engaged and the control panel buttons are locked.

How to deactivate: Press and hold the dedicated Child Lock button (often labelled "CL" or shown with a padlock icon) for 3 seconds. The exact button location varies by model — check your owner's manual if you can't locate it.

How to Reset an LG Dishwasher

A reset clears temporary fault codes and is always worth trying first:

1. Press Power to turn off the dishwasher.
2. Unplug the unit from the wall outlet, or turn off its circuit breaker.
3. Wait a full 60 seconds.
4. Restore power and press Power to turn the dishwasher back on.
5. Select a new wash cycle and press Start.

If the same error code returns after a reset, the underlying component issue needs to be repaired — the code won't go away on its own.

Preventing LG Dishwasher Error Codes

A little regular maintenance goes a long way toward keeping error codes off your display:

• Clean the filter monthly. The filter basket at the bottom of the tub is the most common source of OE and LE errors.
• Run the dishwasher with a full load. Very small loads can cause the float switch to behave erratically.
• Use the right detergent. Always use automatic dishwasher detergent — never hand dish soap.
• Inspect the door gasket every few months for cracks or buildup, which can lead to leaks (AE/E1).
• Run a cleaning cycle monthly with a dishwasher cleaner or white vinegar to prevent mineral buildup on the heating element and spray arms.

When to Call a Professional for LG Dishwasher Repair