LG Dishwasher Error Codes: What They Mean and How to Fix Them
What the common LG dishwasher codes mean, including IE (no water), OE (won't drain) and AE (leak or overfill), and what to check before booking a repair.
An LG dishwasher shows a code when it cannot fill, drain, heat or wash properly, or when it has sensed a leak. A few are caused by things you can fix in minutes, such as a closed water valve, a clogged filter or too much suds, while others point to a part that needs a technician. LG says the codes can differ by model, so treat this list as a guide.
Start by finding your model number. On a dishwasher it is usually on a label on the edge of the door or inside the tub. The model number also tells you whether you have features such as Heat Dry, which has its own codes.
Let the dishwasher cool for about 30 minutes before cleaning the filter, because the tub stays hot after a cycle.
If a built-in dishwasher is leaking, switch it off at its power switch and do not pull the unit out. Never open panels or touch wiring for heater, motor or sensor codes.
Water supply and drain codes
| Code | What it means | What you can safely check | When to call a technician |
|---|---|---|---|
| IE | Not enough water is reaching the tub. | Check the kitchen tap has water, the inlet hose is not kinked, and the inlet valve under the sink is open. | Water and valves are fine but IE remains. |
| OE | The tub is not draining fully. | Clean the filter, straighten the drain hose, and try the force drain. | Water keeps pooling above the filter after cleaning. |
LG dishwasher IE error
IE means the dishwasher did not get the amount of water it expected. Check that the kitchen tap runs, in case of a water outage, and that the inlet hose is not pressed or kinked behind or beside the machine. Then open the sink cabinet and make sure the inlet valve and the shut-off valve are turned fully open, which is common to find closed after an install or a move. If IE persists, the inlet valve or hose may need a technician.
LG dishwasher OE error
OE means water is not draining out of the tub completely. Cleaning the filter is the first step, since residue is a common cause, and LG suggests doing it every week or two. Also check the drain hose for kinks. You can try a force drain by holding the start button for at least three seconds, and if water keeps sitting above the filter after that, book a repair.
Code keeps coming back? Book a dishwasher repair and tell us the code and your model number.
Leak, overfill and suds codes
| Code | What it means | What you can safely check | When to call a technician |
|---|---|---|---|
| AE (FE, EI) | A leak or too much water was detected. | Use proper dishwasher detergent, check the machine is level, and power it off if there is no leak. | AE or FE shows, especially if water is on the floor. |
| bE | Too many suds (bubble error). | Stop using dish soap, use less dishwasher detergent, and run the suds-clearing steps. | bE appears with no suds. |
LG dishwasher AE (FE, EI) error
AE, FE and EI mean the dishwasher detected a leak or more water than it should have. Oversudsing from hand dishwashing liquid is a known cause, so only use detergent made for dishwashers. The machine keeps draining to protect your floor, so if the code shows and nothing is leaking, switch it off at its power switch or plug and book a repair. An unlevel machine or a misaligned door can also trigger it.
Model note: LG also says pouring water into the Heat Dry blower instead of the water softener can cause this code on models with Dynamic Heat Dry.
LG dishwasher bE error
bE is the bubble error: the dishwasher found too much foam and stopped to prevent leaks. The cause is nearly always dish soap or too much detergent, so use a proper dishwasher detergent in a small amount. To clear the suds, run a cycle with no detergent and no dishes, and with a bowl of milk on the upper rack as LG describes in its guide. If bE appears when there are no suds at all, book a repair.
Heating, motor and sensor codes
| Code | What it means | What you can safely check | When to call a technician |
|---|---|---|---|
| HE | The water is not being heated. | Nothing to try yourself: book a technician. | Any time HE shows. |
| tE | A temperature sensor problem. | Nothing to try yourself: book a technician. | Any time tE shows. |
| LE | The cleaning motor is not working normally. | Nothing to try yourself: book a technician. | Any time LE shows. |
| PE | A water level sensor problem. | Nothing to try yourself: book a technician. | Any time PE shows. |
| nE | The impeller is not spinning normally. | Rearrange dishes so nothing touches the impeller and restart. | nE returns after rearranging the load. |
LG dishwasher HE error
HE means the dishwasher is not heating its water, which points to the heater or its control. LG says this code needs inspection by a technician, and there is nothing safe to try at home. Dishes may come out cold-washed and greasy until it is repaired.
LG dishwasher tE error
tE points to the temperature sensor, either through a poor connection or a failed sensor. LG says it needs inspection by a service technician. There is no homeowner fix, so book a visit.
LG dishwasher LE error
LE means the cleaning motor, which drives the spray, is not working normally. LG says this needs a technician, and there is nothing safe for a homeowner to try. Book a repair.
LG dishwasher PE error
PE points to the water level sensor, which the dishwasher uses to avoid leaks. LG lists it for certain older models and says it needs a technician. Book a repair rather than running it repeatedly.
Model note: LG says this code applies to certain older models.
LG dishwasher nE error
nE means the impeller, which circulates the water, is not spinning properly, sometimes because a dish is touching it. Reorganize the dishes so nothing sits against the impeller, then restart the cycle. If nE comes back, the pump needs a technician.
Heat Dry and door codes (certain models)
| Code | What it means | What you can safely check | When to call a technician |
|---|---|---|---|
| F31 | The Heat Dry fan motor is not running. | Nothing to try yourself: book a technician. | Any time F31 shows. |
| F35 | Heat Dry temperatures cannot be measured. | Nothing to try yourself: book a technician. | Any time F35 shows. |
| F37 | The auto open door feature is not working. | Make sure nothing is blocking the door area. | F37 remains with the door area clear. |
| CL | Control lock is on. | Hold the lock buttons for 3 seconds (on some models, Half Load and Energy Saver). | Nothing needed, it is not a fault. |
LG dishwasher F31 error
F31 appears on models with Dynamic Heat Dry when the drying fan motor does not run. The fault could be the fan motor or a component around it, and LG says it needs a detailed inspection. The dishwasher may still wash but not dry well.
Model note: Models with Dynamic Heat Dry only.
LG dishwasher F35 error
F35 appears on Dynamic Heat Dry models when the drying components cannot be temperature-checked. The fault may be the dry heater or its temperature sensor, and it needs a detailed inspection. Book a technician.
Model note: Models with Dynamic Heat Dry only.
LG dishwasher F37 error
F37 shows when the Auto Open Door feature does not work. First make sure nothing is near or blocking the door. If the code stays, a component in the auto-open mechanism needs a detailed inspection by a technician.
Model note: Models with Auto Open Door only.
LG dishwasher CL error
CL is not a fault. It means the control lock is on, so the buttons do nothing. Press and hold the lock button or buttons for three seconds to turn it off. On some models these are Half Load and Energy Saver together, and the lock stays on even when the dishwasher is switched off.
Model note: The buttons differ by model.
Frequently asked questions
What does IE mean on my LG dishwasher?
IE means the dishwasher is not getting enough water. Check the kitchen tap, the inlet hose and the inlet valve under the sink. If those are fine, the inlet valve may need a technician.
What does OE mean on my LG dishwasher?
OE means the tub is not draining fully. Clean the filter and check the drain hose for kinks, then try the force drain. If water keeps pooling, the drain pump or hose needs a technician.
What does AE mean on my LG dishwasher?
AE (also shown as FE or EI) means a leak or too much water was detected. Make sure you are using dishwasher detergent rather than dish soap and that the unit is level. If it persists or water is on the floor, switch it off and book a repair.
What does bE mean on my LG dishwasher?
bE is the bubble error, which means too many suds. Use a small amount of proper dishwasher detergent and never dish soap, then run the suds-clearing steps. If bE shows without any suds, it needs service.
Related
Codes and their meanings vary by model and model year, so keep your model number handy. If a code keeps returning after the safe checks above, book a repair and a technician will test your dishwasher in your home.
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