LG Dishwasher Error Codes: Every Fault Code Explained

Quick Answer

LG dishwashers use a direct-drive inverter motor and display single or two-character fault codes on the control panel. The most searched code by far is AE (leak detected, 6500 searches/month), followed by CL (child lock), OE (drain timeout), and LE (motor locked).

I've been on LG dishwasher calls more times than I can count, and honestly most of them don't involve a real hardware failure. AE alone accounts for probably half my LG service calls, and 8 out of 10 times it's just condensation sitting on the base pan sensor. These direct-drive units are smart but trigger-happy. Ignore a code long enough and you can turn a $12 filter clean into a $300 motor job.

LgDishwasher

About These Lg Dishwasher Error Codes

LG's direct-drive dishwashers cut the belt and traditional pump assembly, so they're quieter than almost anything else on the market. But that design means everything runs through the inverter board and the motor sensor system. When a code shows up, the board's basically telling you it measured something outside its normal range. Could be a clogged filter, could be moisture on a sensor, could be a dead part. Knowing which code you've got is everything, because a $15 filter clean and a $400 inverter board are both just 'dishwasher broke' to most people.

Most Common Error Codes

Condensation in base pan triggering AE leak sensor (most common)40%

Clogged mesh drain filter causing OE drain timeout24%

Foreign object jamming direct-drive motor impeller (LE)14%

Stuck control panel button from moisture or impact (BE)12%

Kinked or blocked inlet supply line (IE)10%

Symptoms You May Notice

A two-character code like AE, OE, or LE sitting on the display and the machine completely stopped whatever it was doing mid-cycle.
Standing water in the bottom of the tub after the cycle quit, sometimes an inch deep, sometimes just a shallow puddle that won't go anywhere.
You hit Start and absolutely nothing happened. No fill sound, no hum, no spray arm movement, just a code blinking at you.
Dishes came out dirty and still wet even though the cycle supposedly finished, which usually means the spray arm wasn't actually spinning or the heater never kicked on.
Control panel buttons don't respond at all, or the machine acts like buttons are being pressed when you're not touching anything.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriverFlathead screwdriver (medium)Torx T20 screwdriverMultimeter with continuity and resistance settingsNeedle-nose pliersLeather work glovesFlashlight or headlamp

How to Identify Your Error Code

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range8–15 ohms

ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

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	OEM Number	Estimated Price
Leak SensorAEB72909507 · $15–$25	AEB72909507	$15 – $25
Door GasketAHT73236503 · $22–$38	AHT73236503	$22 – $38
Drain Pump4681ED1003A · $32–$52	4681ED1003A	$32 – $52
Wash Motor Assembly4681ED2003A · $120–$200	4681ED2003A	$120 – $200
Inlet ValveAJU72992601 · $25–$42	AJU72992601	$25 – $42
Heater AssemblyEAU60933501 · $40–$70	EAU60933501	$40 – $70
ThermistorEAF63615501 · $12–$22	EAF63615501	$12 – $22
Control Panel PCBEBR74632606 · $60–$120	EBR74632606	$60 – $120

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common LG dishwasher error code?

AE is the king of LG service calls. While it technically means a leak's detected, it's often a false alarm from over-sudsing or heavy steam condensation sitting on the sensor. If you see AE, check for soap bubbles in the base pan first. I usually tell customers to dry the floor under the unit and wait a few hours before calling me. If the code keeps coming back, then we start looking for actual leaks at the water inlet valve or the sump gasket, which is where real leaks almost always show up on these units.

How do I clear an error code on an LG dishwasher?

A power cycle fixes a lot of logic glitches. Press Power to turn it off, then unplug it or flip the breaker for one full minute. When you power it back up, the machine should reset. But if you've got a hard fault like HE or LE, the code'll probably come back within 10 minutes of starting a new cycle because the board's still detecting the same hardware problem. Clearing the code without fixing what caused it is just kicking the can down the road.

Can I enter LG dishwasher service mode to retrieve stored fault codes?

You can, and it's a lifesaver for intermittent issues that won't stay on-screen long enough to read. With the power off, press and hold the Dual Zone and High Temp buttons while pressing Power. All the lights should flash. Then press Start repeatedly to cycle through the test steps for the pump, heater, and motor. This lets you test each component individually without waiting for a full wash cycle to trigger the fault. It's how I catch problems that only show up occasionally.

What does the LE code mean and can I fix it myself?

LE means the motor's locked or the board can't detect it spinning. And yeah, you can fix this yourself most of the time. First thing I do is pull the lower spray arm and pump cover and check the impeller for debris. I replaced three motor assemblies just last week and two of them turned out to be glass in the impeller, not actually failed motors. That whole check takes maybe five minutes. If the impeller's clear and the motor windings test at 8 to 15 ohms on your multimeter, the problem's probably the wiring harness or the inverter board.

How long do LG dishwasher direct-drive motors usually last?

Honestly these direct-drive motors are pretty bulletproof if you keep the filter clean. I've seen them go 12 to 15 years without any problem. The ones that fail early are almost always units that ran with a clogged filter for months, which makes the motor work way harder than it's designed to. Parts are available and they're not crazy expensive, usually $80 to $150 for the motor assembly depending on your model. The repair's worth doing because the rest of the LG dishwasher platform tends to hold up really well.

Related Lg Dishwasher Error Codes

Code: AELG Dishwasher AE Error Code: Leak Detected Code: OELG Dishwasher OE Error Code: Drain Fault Code: LELG Dishwasher LE Error Code: Motor Locked Code: IELG Dishwasher IE Error Code: Water Inlet Fault Code: HELG Dishwasher HE Error Code: Heater Fault Code: BELG Dishwasher BE Error Code: Button Error Code: NELG Dishwasher NE Error Code: NFC Tag Error Code: CLLG Dishwasher CL: Child Lock Active Code: 1ELG Dishwasher 1E Error Code: Water Level Sensor Fault Code: E1LG Dishwasher E1 Error Code: Temperature Sensor Fault Code: 6ELG Dishwasher 6E Error Code: Turbidity Sensor Fault

Same Fix Works on These Brands

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

Lg washerLG Washer Error Codes: HUB, LE, OE, and SUD Fixes Lg washerLG Washer OE Code: Water Won't Drain (Troubleshooting Guide)Lg washerHow to Reset an LG Washer (Every Method, Every Model)Lg washerWhat Does UL Mean on a Washer? LG Unbalanced Load Fix Lg washerLG Washer CL Code: How to Unlock Child Lock Lg washerLG Washer Stuck on a Cycle? Causes for Every Stage

Models Known to Experience HUB Errors

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

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

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 14, 2026