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Error code reference

LG Dishwasher Error Codes: What They Mean and What to Do

When your LG dishwasher shows a code, it is pointing at the part of the cycle that failed. This page lists the 16 codes we could confirm in LG's own owner's manuals and support articles: what each one means, the checks that are safe to do yourself, and the point where a technician should take over.

Compiled by the Appliance Surgeon team from LG documentation · Last checked

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At a glance

LG dishwasher codes and what to do

Covers LG US built-in dishwashers (front- and top-control). F31/F35 apply only to Dynamic Heat Dry models, F37 to Auto Open Door models, and PE to certain older models.

Codes appear in the time display and the cycle stops; with FE the drain pump runs on its own. LG's usual reset is to switch the dishwasher's breaker off about 10 seconds, then restart. 2H, delay hours (01-24), P1-P4, '---' (cancel) and Cd (cool-dry) are status displays, not faults.

CodeMeaningWhat to do
IENot enough water came in during the fill timeUsually a quick fix
OEDishwasher is not drainingCheck, then call if it returns
AELeak detected; float switch in the base trippedStop using it
bEToo many suds detectedUsually a quick fix
FEToo much water; drain pump runs automaticallyCheck, then call if it returns
HEWater is not heating, or got too hotCheck, then call if it returns
tEWater too hot, or temperature sensor faultNeeds a technician
LEWash motor or motor wiring problemCheck, then call if it returns
nEVario motor (spray-arm switching) problemCheck, then call if it returns
PEWater level sensor faultNeeds a technician
PFPower was interruptedUsually a quick fix
CLControl lock is on (not a fault)Usually a quick fix
CRDishwasher is in installer/service test modeUsually a quick fix
F31Heat-dry fan motor not runningNeeds a technician
F35Heat-dry temperature cannot be measuredNeeds a technician
F37Auto Open Door feature not workingCheck, then call if it returns

Safety first. Switch the appliance off at its power button and unplug it or turn off the breaker before you clean a filter or check a hose. If you smell gas, leave the home and call your gas utility from outside. If there is a burning smell, smoke, sparking or water near wiring, stop using it and keep it off until it has been checked.

Code by code

What each LG dishwasher code means

IENot enough water came in during the fill time

Usually a quick fix

Common causes

  • Water supply valve under the sink closed
  • Kinked supply line
  • Low house water pressure
  • Frozen supply line

What you can safely check

  • Open the water supply valve under the sink fully (counterclockwise)
  • Confirm the kitchen faucet has normal water pressure
  • Look for a visibly kinked supply line under the sink
  • Thaw a frozen line with warm towels

Call a technician if: Water is on but IE comes back, especially after plumbing work

Source: [1], [2], [3], [4]

OEDishwasher is not draining

Check, then call if it returns

Common causes

  • Clogged filter
  • Kinked drain hose
  • Clogged sink air gap or garbage disposal
  • Disposal knockout plug never removed (new install)

What you can safely check

  • Remove the lower rack, twist out the filter and rinse it
  • Check the drain hose under the sink for kinks
  • Clean debris from the sink air gap cap, if you have one
  • Run the garbage disposal to clear its inlet, then retry

Call a technician if: Filter and hose are clear but OE returns, or the disposal is newly installed

Source: [1], [2], [4], [5]

AELeak detected; float switch in the base tripped

Stop using it

Also shown as or same meaning as: E1

Common causes

  • Hand dish soap or too much detergent causing suds
  • Dishwasher not level
  • Dirty or torn door gasket
  • Blocked spray arm

What you can safely check

  • Turn off the dishwasher and wipe up any water
  • Use only automatic-dishwasher detergent
  • Clean the door gasket and check the spray arms spin freely
  • Check the dishwasher is level

Call a technician if: AE returns or water appears on the floor

Source: [1], [2], [4], [6]

bEToo many suds detected

Usually a quick fix

Common causes

  • Hand dishwashing soap used
  • Too much or high-sudsing detergent

What you can safely check

  • Use only automatic-dishwasher detergent, never hand soap
  • Run an empty cycle with no detergent
  • If suds remain, LG suggests a cup of milk on the top rack during a cycle

Call a technician if: bE keeps appearing with the correct detergent

Source: [1], [2], [4], [7]

FEToo much water; drain pump runs automatically

Check, then call if it returns

Common causes

  • Inlet valve letting in too much water
  • Suds from the wrong detergent

What you can safely check

  • Switch the dishwasher's breaker off 10 seconds, then on and restart
  • Use only automatic-dishwasher detergent

Call a technician if: FE returns

Source: [1], [2], [4]

HEWater is not heating, or got too hot

Check, then call if it returns

Common causes

  • Heater or heating circuit fault

What you can safely check

  • Switch the breaker off 10 seconds, then on and restart

Call a technician if: HE returns

Source: [1], [2], [4]

tEWater too hot, or temperature sensor fault

Needs a technician

Common causes

  • Thermistor fault
  • Water overheating

What you can safely check

  • Switch the breaker off 10 seconds, then on and restart

Call a technician if: tE returns

Source: [1], [2], [4]

LEWash motor or motor wiring problem

Check, then call if it returns

Also shown as or same meaning as: CE

Common causes

  • Wash motor fault
  • Motor wiring harness problem

What you can safely check

  • Switch the breaker off 10 seconds, then on and restart

Call a technician if: Code returns

Source: [1], [2], [4]

nEVario motor (spray-arm switching) problem

Check, then call if it returns

Common causes

  • Dishes touching the pump impeller or spray arms
  • Vario motor fault

What you can safely check

  • Check no dishes or utensils block the spray arms
  • Rearrange the load and restart

Call a technician if: nE returns

Source: [1], [2], [4]

PEWater level sensor fault

Needs a technician

Applies to: Certain older models

Common causes

  • Water level sensor problem

What you can safely check

  • Turn the dishwasher off

Call a technician if: Always; LG says it needs a technician

Source: [2]

PFPower was interrupted

Usually a quick fix

Common causes

  • Power outage
  • Undersized or shared circuit

What you can safely check

  • Press any key to clear the display, then restart
  • Use a dedicated circuit, with no extension cord

Call a technician if: PF repeats without outages

Source: [1]

CLControl lock is on (not a fault)

Usually a quick fix

Common causes

  • Control/child lock turned on

What you can safely check

  • Hold your model's lock button pair for 3 seconds (see owner's manual)

Call a technician if: Lock will not turn off

Source: [1], [2], [4]

CRDishwasher is in installer/service test mode

Usually a quick fix

Common causes

  • Test mode left on after installation or service

What you can safely check

  • Turn power off, wait 1-2 minutes, then turn it back on

Call a technician if: CR stays after power-cycling

Source: [1]

F31Heat-dry fan motor not running

Needs a technician

Applies to: Models with Dynamic Heat Dry

Common causes

  • Heat-dry fan fault

What you can safely check

  • No owner fix; note the code for the technician

Call a technician if: Always book service

Source: [2]

F35Heat-dry temperature cannot be measured

Needs a technician

Applies to: Models with Dynamic Heat Dry

Common causes

  • Heat-dry heater or sensor fault

What you can safely check

  • No owner fix; note the code for the technician

Call a technician if: Always book service

Source: [2]

F37Auto Open Door feature not working

Check, then call if it returns

Applies to: Models with Auto Open Door

Common causes

  • Something blocking the door
  • Auto-open mechanism fault

What you can safely check

  • Check nothing blocks the door from opening

Call a technician if: F37 returns with the door clear

Source: [2]

Still showing the code?

When to call a technician

If a code comes back after the safe checks, or the table says it needs a technician, the fault is usually a sensor, valve, pump, motor or control board, and diagnosing it means opening the dishwasher. Our technicians repair LG appliances across Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland, seven days a week until 10 PM. Tell us the code when you book and we bring the parts that code usually points to.

Book LG dishwasher repair $75 diagnostic, credited toward the repair.

Sources

Where these meanings come from

Every code on this page was checked against LG's own documentation: owner's manuals, use and care guides, support articles or LG technical sheets. Codes we could only find on third-party sites are left out. Meanings are paraphrased; your model's manual is the final word.

  1. Error Codes - Dishwasher (LG US Help Library) — LG Electronics. www.lg.com
  2. [LG Dishwasher] Guide to Error Codes (LG US Help Library) — LG Electronics. www.lg.com
  3. Dishwasher: No water (IE error code) (LG US Help Library) — LG Electronics. www.lg.com
  4. LG Dishwasher Owner's Manual XD3/XD4/XD5 series (MFL70282401) - international 220-240V model, corroboration only — LG Electronics. gscs-b2c.lge.com
  5. How to Fix an LG Dishwasher That Is Not Draining (OE Error) (LG US Help Library) — LG Electronics. www.lg.com
  6. AE & E1 Error Code - Dish Washer (LG US Help Library) — LG Electronics. www.lg.com
  7. LG Dishwasher - Troubleshooting bE Error Code (LG US Help Library) — LG Electronics. www.lg.com

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