LG dishwasher repair and codes
An OE that shows on the very first cycle after an LG dishwasher goes in is, by LG's own reading, an install problem: the drain hose is kinked, mounted too high or simply too long.
LG dishwasher codes: owner check or technician job?
| Code | What LG says it means | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|
| OE | The tub did not drain fully: food in the filter, a crushed hose under the sink, a blocked air gap, or a disposal knockout plug left in | Owner checks first; a repeat after cleaning points to a part |
| IE | The set amount of water never reached the tub | Owner: open the inlet valve, straighten the hose. Then a technician |
| AE or E1, FE | A leak has lifted the float switch; the unit keeps draining to protect the floor | Owner can fix suds or a dirty gasket; a torn seal or uneven tub is service |
| bE | Oversudsing, usually dish soap or too much detergent | Owner, with LG's milk cycle; bE with no suds is a fault |
| tE, HE, LE, nE | Temperature sensor, water heater, wash motor, impeller not turning | Technician, though nE can be a dish touching the impeller |
| CL | Control Lock is on, and it survives a power cycle | Owner: hold the lock keys three seconds |
Clearing an LG OE drain code
Filter
Pull the lower rack, twist the mesh filter counterclockwise and rinse it with a soft brush. Wait 30 minutes after a cycle, since the tub runs hot.
Hose
Under the sink, look for anything crushing the ribbed white or gray drain hose. A pinched hose stops the pump as surely as a broken one.
Air gap
With the dishwasher off, lift the air gap cover at the sink and clear debris. On a new install, confirm the disposal knockout plug came out.
Force drain
Power on and hold Start at least three seconds. The forced drain runs two to three minutes. A little water below the filter is normal.
LG dishwasher figures
Sources: LG LDFN4542 and LDTH7972 spec sheets; LG dishwasher drain help pages
What the LG warranty leaves to the owner
LG's US dishwasher warranty pays parts and labor for the first year only. After that, the Direct Drive motor and the stainless tub keep long parts coverage, but the owner pays the labor. Read the exclusions too. Damage from a corrosive atmosphere is not covered, nor is damage from a restricted drain line or a poor water supply. Near the shore that first clause matters, and our salt air page explains why. Newer spec sheets list shorter terms than older ones, so the papers that came with your unit decide.
