LG Dishwasher Error Codes — Complete Guide (2026)

Quick Reference

AE — Leak detected in base pan (turn off water immediately)
OE — Drain error: not draining (clean filter first)
IE — Inlet error: not filling with water
FE — Overfill error (turn off water supply)
HE — Heater error (professional service needed)
LE — Motor locked (check for debris, restart)
CL — Child lock active (not an error)
Repair cost: $150–$350 | $89 diagnostic — waived with repair

LG dishwashers are feature-rich appliances that communicate problems through a display panel showing error codes. Unlike older appliances that simply stopped working, modern LG dishwashers tell you exactly what is wrong. This complete guide explains every LG dishwasher error code — what it means, what causes it, and whether you can fix it yourself or need to call a certified technician.

LG Dishwasher Error Codes — Full Table

Error Code	Meaning	Common Cause	DIY Fix	Action
AE	Aqua / leak error	Water leak in base pan, faulty door seal, loose hose connection	Turn off water; find and fix leak; tilt unit back to drain base pan	Inspect First
CE	Communication error	Main PCB to sub-board communication failure	Soft reset (power off 60 sec); if code returns, board service needed	Pro
CL	Child lock active	Child lock feature enabled (not an error)	Hold Child Lock button 3 seconds to deactivate	DIY
E1	Drain error (older models)	Clogged filter, kinked drain hose, blocked pump	Clean filter assembly; check drain hose for kinks	DIY
FE	Overfill error	Water inlet valve stuck open, faulty water level sensor	Turn off water supply immediately; inlet valve needs replacement	Pro
HE	Heater error	Heating element failed, thermistor fault, heater relay fault	Reset; if code returns, heating element or thermistor needs professional service	Pro
IE	Inlet / fill error	Water supply valve closed, kinked fill hose, low water pressure, clogged inlet valve	Open supply valve fully; straighten fill hose; check water pressure (min 20 psi)	DIY
LE	Motor locked / overload	Debris blocking spray arm or impeller, motor bearing failure	Check tub bottom for debris; remove obstruction; restart	Inspect First
nE	Fan motor error	Circulation fan motor fault (condensation drying models)	Reset; fan motor replacement required if code persists	Pro
OE	Drain error	Clogged mesh filter, kinked or elevated drain hose, blocked pump impeller	Clean mesh + coarse filter; check drain hose routing; inspect pump for debris	DIY
PE	Pressure sensor / turbidity sensor error	Soil sensor or water level sensor failure	Clean sensor area; if code persists, sensor replacement needed	Pro
tE	Temperature sensor error	NTC thermistor open or shorted	Reset; thermistor testing and replacement required	Pro

DIY Fix vs Call a Technician — At a Glance

You Can Fix These Yourself

OE / E1 — Clean the filter assembly
IE — Check water supply valve and hose
CL — Deactivate Child Lock
AE — If leak source is a loose hose connection
LE — Remove debris blocking spray arm

Call a Certified Technician

AE — If leak source is unknown or from the pump/seal
FE — Inlet valve stuck open (flooding risk)
HE — Heating element or thermistor failure
CE — Control board communication error
tE — Temperature sensor failure
nE — Fan motor failure
PE — Pressure/turbidity sensor failure

How to Fix the Most Common LG Dishwasher Error Codes

AE — Aqua / Leak Error

Act immediately: The AE code means the leak detection sensor in the base pan has triggered. Turn off the dishwasher and the water supply tap under the sink immediately. Do not run another cycle until the leak is found and repaired.

Common sources of the AE leak error:

Door gasket: Inspect the rubber door seal for tears, warping, or debris preventing a watertight seal
Hose connections: Check the fill hose and drain hose connections under the sink and at the back of the dishwasher for loose fittings
Door latch: A worn door latch allows the door to flex during the cycle, breaking the seal
Sump / pump seal: Internal pump seals wear over time and require professional replacement

To drain water from the base pan, carefully tilt the dishwasher backward 45 degrees (turn off the power first). The water will drain out through the vent. Leave the dishwasher tilted for 30 minutes before returning it to position.

OE — Drain Error

OE is the most common LG dishwasher error code. The dishwasher ran a drain cycle but could not empty the tub water within the expected time.

Clean the filter assembly. Pull out the lower rack. Turn the cylindrical mesh filter counterclockwise and lift it out. Remove the coarse flat filter beneath it. Rinse both filters under warm running water, scrubbing gently with a soft brush to remove food debris and grease. Reinstall securely.
Check the drain hose. The drain hose runs from the dishwasher to the drain under the sink. It should loop up to at least 18 inches above the floor (the high loop) before connecting to the sink drain or garbage disposal. A hose that sags or is kinked will not drain correctly.
Check the garbage disposal connection. If the dishwasher drains into a garbage disposal and you recently had the disposal replaced, ensure the knockout plug in the disposal inlet was removed. Forgetting this step is a very common cause of OE on newly installed dishwashers.
Inspect the pump for debris. With the power off, look down through the filter opening into the pump area. Remove any visible broken glass, food waste, or labels that may be jamming the pump impeller.

IE — Inlet / Fill Error

The dishwasher did not fill with enough water during the fill cycle.

Make sure the water supply shut-off valve under the sink is fully open — turn it counterclockwise as far as it goes.
Check the fill hose (the braided hose connecting the valve to the dishwasher inlet) for kinks or sharp bends.
If the home water pressure is low (below 20 psi), the dishwasher will show IE even when everything else is correct. Low pressure is more common in high-rise buildings and older homes.
On some LG models, you can access the inlet valve screen filter by turning off the water and disconnecting the fill hose. Clean the screen with a toothbrush.

FE — Overfill Error

Risk of flooding: FE means the dishwasher tub is overfilling — the water inlet valve is stuck open. Turn off the water supply valve under the sink immediately and turn off the dishwasher. Do not restart until the inlet valve has been inspected and replaced.

HE — Heater Error

The heating element is responsible for heating water during the wash cycle and drying dishes at the end. When HE appears:

The heating element has failed (open circuit)
The thermistor (temperature sensor) is faulty
The heater relay on the control board has burned out

Start with a soft reset — turn off the dishwasher at the circuit breaker for 2 minutes. If HE returns when the cycle starts, the heating system needs professional diagnosis. Do not run cycles on the HE code as cold water can leave detergent residue on dishes and inside the dishwasher.

LE — Motor Locked

The wash motor has stalled or is drawing too much current. The most common DIY fix:

Turn off the dishwasher and open the door.
Remove the lower rack and check the tub floor and spray arm area for broken glass, bottle caps, labels, or other foreign objects.
Remove the lower spray arm (turns counterclockwise on most LG models) and check the holes for blockages.
Remove the mesh filter and look into the pump housing for any visible obstruction.
If the tub is clear, unplug the dishwasher for 5 minutes to allow the motor to cool and reset.

If LE returns after clearing the tub and resetting, the wash motor or motor capacitor has failed and needs professional replacement.

tE — Temperature Sensor Error

The NTC thermistor measures water temperature throughout the cycle. A faulty thermistor causes HE and tE codes. After a soft reset, if tE returns, a technician will test the thermistor resistance (typically 10–15K ohms at room temperature) and replace it if out of spec. This is a straightforward repair when diagnosed correctly.

CE — Communication Error

CE indicates the main PCB (printed circuit board) and the sub-board (motor/display controller) have lost communication. Start with a full power reset — turn off the circuit breaker for 2 minutes. If CE returns, a technician needs to inspect the wiring harness between the boards and test each board individually. Control board replacements on LG dishwashers typically cost $200–$350 including parts.

nE — Fan Motor Error

Found on LG dishwashers with condensation drying systems, nE indicates the internal fan motor that circulates air for drying has failed. This requires professional fan motor replacement — it is not accessible for DIY repair on most LG models.

PE — Pressure / Turbidity Sensor Error

The PE code relates to the water level pressure sensor or soil turbidity sensor (the sensor that detects how dirty the water is). Cleaning the sensor area through the filter access may help on some models, but in most cases a sensor replacement is required. A technician can test the sensor with a multimeter.

CL — Child Lock

CL is not an error — it is a safety feature. Press and hold the Child Lock button for 3 seconds to deactivate it. On some LG dishwasher models the button combination is different — check your model's manual. Once CL disappears from the display, normal operation resumes.

Maintenance tip: Clean your LG dishwasher's filter assembly every month and run a dishwasher cleaner cycle every 3 months. Most OE and LE error codes are caused by dirty filters and blocked pump impellers — regular cleaning prevents these codes from appearing.

How to Reset an LG Dishwasher

For any LG dishwasher error code, start with a soft reset before calling for service:

Press the Power button to turn the dishwasher off.
Turn off the circuit breaker for the dishwasher (or unplug it from the wall outlet, usually located under the sink).
Wait 2 minutes.
Restore power and turn the dishwasher back on.
Select a cycle and press Start.

If the same error code appears within the first few minutes of operation, the fault is persistent and requires diagnosis and repair.

Frequently Asked Questions — LG Dishwasher Error Codes

AE stands for Aqua Error — the dishwasher's leak sensor has detected water in the base pan. Turn off the dishwasher and the water supply immediately. Check the door gasket, hose connections, and sump area for leaks. Tilt the dishwasher slightly back to drain any water from the base, then inspect and fix the leak source before running another cycle. If you cannot find the leak, call a certified technician.

OE means the dishwasher is not draining properly. Clean the mesh filter and coarse filter at the bottom of the tub, straighten the drain hose, and ensure the garbage disposal knockout plug has been removed if you recently installed a new disposal. If the pump makes noise but water will not drain, there may be a blockage in the pump impeller or the pump motor has failed.

IE means the dishwasher is not filling with water. Check that the water supply valve under the sink is fully open, inspect the fill hose for kinks, and make sure the water pressure is adequate (minimum 20 psi). On some models, you can also clean the inlet valve screen. If water pressure and supply are fine but IE persists, the water inlet valve needs replacement.

CL is not an error — it means Child Lock is activated. Press and hold the Child Lock button (or button combination on your model) for 3 seconds to deactivate it. Check your model's manual for the exact button, as it varies.

HE means there is a heater error — the water is not reaching the correct temperature or the heater circuit has failed. This affects wash and dry performance. If a reset does not clear the code, the heating element or thermistor needs professional inspection and likely replacement.

LE on an LG dishwasher indicates the wash motor is locked or overloaded. Check the bottom of the dishwasher tub for broken glass, labels, or other debris that may be blocking the spray arm or impeller. Remove any obstructions, reset the dishwasher, and restart. If LE persists, the motor or motor capacitor needs professional service.

LG dishwasher repairs in Toronto and the GTA typically cost $150–$350 depending on the part. Common repairs include drain pump ($150–$250), inlet valve ($130–$200), and control board ($200–$350). Nick's Appliance Repair charges an $89 diagnostic fee waived with repair, plus $40 OFF any repair as a current promotion.