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ErrBase

LG Dishwasher 1E Error Code: Water Level Sensor Fault

Quick Answer

1E on an LG dishwasher means the water level pressure sensor sent a signal outside the expected range. The pressure sensor works by detecting air pressure in a small chamber connected to the tub bottom. If the sensor tube is clogged with scale or food debris, the sensor reads incorrectly even though the component itself is fine.

Look, the 1E code is one of those sneaky ones that'll have you convinced you need a new sensor when really it's just a grimy little tube about the size of a cocktail straw. Ignore it and your dishwasher might overfill and dump water on your floor, or it'll quit halfway through every wash cycle. Most of the time I'm clearing this in under 20 minutes with nothing but a turkey baster and some hot water.

LgDishwasherSeverity: moderateDifficulty: intermediate83% DIY Success
Time to Fix
25–60 min
Difficulty
intermediate
Parts Cost
$15 – $28
Tools Needed
Phillips #2 screwdriver, Flathead screwdriver

What Does the 1E Code Mean?

LG dishwashers use a pressure switch instead of a float to monitor water level, and honestly it's a smarter system when it's clean. I see this code constantly on machines that run heavy loads but never get a hot sanitize cycle, because grease and deposits slowly gum up the pressure port over months. It's frustrating because it can be totally intermittent, clearing itself for a few cycles and then coming back at the worst possible time, like mid-cycle on Thanksgiving.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Pressure sensor tube clogged with scale or food residue40%
Pressure switch (sensor) component failure24%
Tub base pressure port clogged22%
Wiring harness connector loose at sensor14%

Symptoms You May Notice

  • The display shows 1E and the dishwasher stops cold right after the initial fill, before the wash cycle even starts heating up.
  • Water sitting in the bottom of the tub after a supposedly completed cycle, because the machine overfilled slightly and didn't drain it all the way out.
  • The cycle just runs and runs at the fill stage, never advancing, then throws the code because the sensor never confirmed the water hit the right level.
  • Code clears after a reset but comes back 2 or 3 cycles later, sometimes right in the middle of a wash when the tub level changes.
  • Dishes coming out with soap residue still on them because the machine bailed on the rinse fill halfway through.

Can you reset a Lg dishwasher to clear the 1E code?

Kill power at the breaker, not just the door switch. Leave it off for a full 10 minutes so the control board capacitors discharge completely. While you're waiting, run your kitchen hot water tap until it's actually hot. Then restore power and start a Rinse Only cycle. If the machine fills and drains without throwing 1E again, you're good. Run one more normal wash cycle just to confirm it's stable.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriverFlathead screwdriverDigital multimeter with frequency (Hz) modeTurkey baster or large syringeFlashlight or headlampElectrical contact cleaner spraySmall pick or straightened paper clip

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name
Water Level Pressure Sensor6601ER3003B · $15–$28

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 1E the same as IE on LG dishwashers?
Really common mix-up but they're pointing at totally different problems. The IE code is an inlet error, meaning water didn't come in fast enough, usually a bad water inlet valve or a kinked supply hose. The 1E code is specifically about the pressure sensor circuit. Think of it this way: IE means the water never showed up, 1E means the machine has no idea how much water is actually inside the tub right now. Different parts, different fixes, different costs.
How much does it cost to fix the 1E error?
If it's just a clogged tube, you're looking at zero dollars and maybe 20 minutes. The pressure sensor itself, part 6601ER3003B, runs about $25-45 depending on where you buy it, and it's a pretty easy DIY swap. If you call a tech out, expect $150-200 all in with labor. The only expensive scenario is a control board fault, which can run $200-300 for parts alone on some LG models. Honestly, always start with the free fix first. That tube is clogged probably 7 out of 10 times I show up for this code.
Can I keep using the dishwasher while the 1E code is active?
I'd hold off. The whole problem is the machine doesn't know how much water is in it. Best case it cuts the cycle short and your dishes come out dirty. Worst case it overfills and you've got water spreading across your kitchen floor. It's not a dangerous code like a heating element fault, but it's not something to run with either. Clean that pressure tube first since that takes 10 minutes and fixes this thing most of the time.
Why does my 1E error only show up sometimes and then go away?
That's actually the most classic sign of a partially clogged pressure tube. When there's a partial blockage, the sensor sometimes gets enough signal to work and sometimes doesn't, depending on water temp, your supply line pressure, even whether you had a heavy load or a light one. I fixed one last month that only threw the code on the heavy wash cycle because that cycle uses more water, and the higher water level was just enough to push against the partial clog and confuse the sensor. Clean that tube out thoroughly and the intermittent stuff usually goes away completely.
Where exactly is the pressure sensor located on LG dishwashers?
It's tucked on the lower left or rear side of the tub, accessible once you pull off the lower kick panel and remove the bottom spray arm. You're looking for a small cylindrical component, roughly the size of a large thimble, with a rubber tube on one side and a wire connector on the other. On most LG models it's mounted to the side wall of the sump housing. The rubber tube coming off it is the real thing you're after, and it's usually gray or black and only a few inches long. Pretty hard to miss once you've got the panel off and a flashlight pointed in there.

Related Lg Dishwasher Error Codes

Code: IELG Dishwasher IE Error Code: Water Inlet FaultCode: OELG Dishwasher OE Error Code: Drain FaultCode: AELG Dishwasher AE Error Code: Leak Detected

Same Fix Works on These Brands

Lg shares the same hardware platform with these brands. The diagnosis and repair steps are identical.

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Models Known to Experience 1E Errors

This repair applies to most Lg dishwashers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

LDFN4542D, LDF5545ST, LDFS5788S, LDP6763ST, LDFN3432T, LDFN4542S, LDFN4542W

MS

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 14, 2026