White film, cloudy glasses and spots on dishes from the LG LDP6810 are a detergent and water-hardness problem in LG's manual: the combination of too much detergent and hard water causes the cloudiness, and low water temperature, overloading, weak water pressure, too little detergent or an empty rinse aid dispenser cause spots and filming. Use less detergent, use a rinse aid and add an extra rinse. For a white film inside the tub, LG's fix is 3 tablespoons (40 g) of citric acid powder in the main detergent compartment on a Machine Clean cycle with no detergent.
Differential
Likely causes of “LG dishwasher leaves spots, film or cloudy glassware”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Too much detergent with hard water
What separates it A cloudy, white film on glassware that wipes off with vinegar
How to confirm Cut the detergent amount and add rinse aid; LG says this combination causes cloudiness
- 2
An empty or low rinse aid dispenser
What separates it Spots and streaks on dishes and poor drying, with the rinse aid icon lit
How to confirm Refill the dispenser and raise the level from 2 to 3 if you have hard water
- 3
Hard water buildup in the tub
What separates it A white film on tub walls and racks that does not wipe away
How to confirm Run the citric acid Machine Clean cycle that LG describes
- 4
Coffee or tea stains and aluminum marks
What separates it Yellow or brown film inside, or gray marks where aluminum touched the dishes
How to confirm Use a stain remover for stains; reposition aluminum items so they do not rub the dishes
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- How much detergent you use and whether you use tablets, gel or powder
- Whether you use rinse aid, and what level it is set to
- Whether the film is on glassware only or on the tub and racks too
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedUse less detergent
ReversibleMeasure the recommended amount for the soil level. LG says too much detergent can leave a film on dishes and inside the dishwasher and cause poor wash performance.
Fill the rinse aid and adjust the level
ReversibleFill to the maximum, and if you have hard water and see calcium on dishes, raise the setting from L2 toward L3, as LG says. Too high can cause foaming.
Add an extra rinse
ReversibleLG says its dishwashers use less water than traditional ones, so an extra rinse helps rinse the film away. If the water is hard, a performance booster may also be needed.
Clean the tub with citric acid
ReversibleRemove all dishes, silverware and the silverware holder, leaving only the racks. Put 3 tablespoons (40 g) of citric acid powder in the main wash compartment and run a Machine Clean cycle with no detergent. Without citric acid, LG says to use about one cup of white vinegar in a shallow bowl on the upper rack.
Check temperature and pressure
ReversibleWater supply should be at least 120 F, and pressure between 20 and 80 psi. Overloading and poor loading also cause spots.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Film and spot fixes from the manual
- Less detergent, liquid rinse aid at L2 to L3, an extra rinse, a wash booster for hard water, 3 tbsp (40 g) citric acid on Machine Clean, or one cup of white vinegar in a shallow bowl if there is no citric acid.
- Parts for this problem on the LDP6810 (RepairClinic, 2026-09-21)
- detergent dispenser, part number AGM75469801, at $165.95; filter, part number MDJ64544301, at $69.18; diverter motor for upper and lower spray arms, part number 4681ED3001D, at $53.20.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models LDP7808, LDPH7972, LDFN4542, LDFN3432, LDF5545, Signature Kitchen Suite SKSDW2401 dishwasher.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the film and spots remain after less detergent, rinse aid, an extra rinse and a citric acid clean, call LG customer service
- !If the water is very hard, have your water tested or treated, since a wash booster only helps so much
- !If a water temperature sensor message tE shows, call LG
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
LG USA support page listing this model's manuals and warranty.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-21.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why are my glasses cloudy?+
LG says the cloudy, white film is usually minerals in the water reacting with detergent, and that too much detergent with hard water is the combination that causes it.
How do I remove white film from the tub?+
Measure 3 tablespoons (40 g) of citric acid powder into the main detergent compartment and run a Machine Clean cycle with no detergent.
What if I have no citric acid?+
LG says pour about one cup (200 to 300 ml) of white vinegar into a shallow bowl on the upper rack and run Machine Clean without detergent.
What causes black or gray marks?+
Aluminum items rubbing dishes during the cycle. LG says to reposition the dishes.
What causes a yellow or brown film inside?+
Coffee or tea stains. LG says to remove the stain with a stain removal product.
What rinse aid level should I use?+
The factory setting is 2. LG says to set it higher if you have hard water and see calcium buildup, and that too low causes spotting and too high causes foaming.
What is a wash booster?+
It helps remove spots, residue and the white film caused by hard water. It does not remove excess detergent residue.
Does water temperature matter for spots?+
Yes. LG says low water temperature causes spots and filming; supply water should be at least 120 F.