LG dishwasher error codes

LG dishwasher code CE

An over-current condition on applicable LG dishwashers. LG's CURRENT published dishwasher code list does not contain this code — the meaning here comes from an older LG list and should be confirmed against your model's own manual.

Record the exact code and the full model number.

Confirm the code in the model's own manual before acting on it.

LG dishwasher code CL

Control Lock — the control panel is locked and cannot be operated. LG is explicit that this is a feature, not a fault: buttons cannot be pressed and cycles cannot be selected while it is on.

Look for the illuminated lock icon or CL on the display.

Unlock the control panel using the model's own control-lock button.

• Control Lock is on: CL or a lit lock icon shows and buttons do nothing. LG says the control panel is locked and cannot be operated while the lock icon is lit or CL is displayed
• A lock left on from an earlier cycle: The panel is locked after a power-off, which points to a lock left on from an earlier cycle. LG says the lock stays activated even when the appliance is powered off and on again
• The lock switched on by accident during cleaning: CL appears right after the panel was wiped or a child pressed the control. Hold the lock button as the steps describe and see whether CL clears and the panel responds

Look for the lit lock icon or CL on the display; LG says this is a feature, not a fault.

With the dishwasher powered on, long press Half Load and Energy Saver together for at least three seconds.

Select the cycle and options after unlocking; note that Control Lock is always able to be turned off while the dishwasher is powered on.

CL or a lock icon.

None.

None.

What does CL mean on a dishwasher? Control Lock is on and the control panel cannot be operated.

Does it clear on power-off? No; it stays activated.

Why does the lock come back after I turn it off? Something is pressing the lock button again, often a cleaning cloth or a child, so note when it returns.

Unplug the dishwasher before you open any panel

Request service if the lock will not release after the hold

LG dishwasher code CR

A test or service mode indicator on applicable LG dishwashers. LG's CURRENT published dishwasher code list does not contain this code — the meaning here comes from an older LG list and should be confirmed against your model's own manual.

Record the exact code and the full model number.

Confirm the code in the model's own manual before acting on it.

LG dishwasher code F31

The heat dry fan motor does not operate — LG's own wording. LG states F31 applies only to models featuring Dynamic Heat Dry.

Confirm the model has Dynamic Heat Dry before treating this as its code.

LG states the issue lies with the fan motor or one of its components and directs it straight to service.

• A heat dry fan motor that does not run: F31 shows near the drying stage on a Dynamic Heat Dry model. LG says F31 displays when the heat dry fan motor does not operate
• A fault in a fan motor component: The fan never spins and F31 returns, which points to a fault in a fan motor component. LG says the issue may lie with a component of the fan motor or the motor itself
• A temporary control fault after a power flicker: F31 appears once after a storm or an outage and does not return on the next cycle. Switch the breaker off for a minute, restore it and run a full cycle to see whether F31 returns

LG says F31 is applicable only to models featuring Dynamic Heat Dry; if yours does not have it, check the manual for the code.

Record when in the cycle the code appeared, since it concerns the fan used for drying.

LG says a detailed inspection is necessary, so request service.

F31.

Heat dry fan motor.

Which models show it? Models featuring Dynamic Heat Dry.

Does F31 stop washing as well as drying? LG ties it to the heat dry fan, so the wash may finish while dishes come out wet; note which stage the code appears at.

Unplug the dishwasher before any panel is opened

LG dishwasher code F35

The temperatures of Heat Dry components cannot be measured — LG's own wording. LG states F35 applies only to models featuring Dynamic Heat Dry.

Confirm the model has Dynamic Heat Dry before treating this as its code.

LG states the issue lies with the heat dry heater or the temperature sensor and directs it to service.

• Heat Dry component temperatures cannot be measured: F35 shows on a Dynamic Heat Dry model, which points to heat Dry component temperatures cannot be measured. LG says F35 displays when the temperatures of Heat Dry components cannot be measured
• A fault with the heat dry heater or its sensor: The code returns on every drying stage, which points to a fault with the heat dry heater or its sensor. LG says the issue may lie with the heat dry heater or the temperature sensor
• A one-off control fault after a power interruption: F35 shows once after the power flickered and the next cycle runs without it. Cut power at the breaker for a minute, restore it and run a complete cycle to see whether F35 comes back

LG says F35 is applicable only to models featuring Dynamic Heat Dry.

Check whether the dishes come out wet, which points to the dry function.

Heat dry heater; temperature sensor.

Will dishes still get clean with F35? The wash side may run normally, but the drying stage relies on the components in the code, so dishes can come out wet.

LG dishwasher code HE

A heater error.

Note whether the water was heating at all.

Follow LG's reset for this code.

• A heater that is not heating the water: Dishes come out cool and greasy and HE shows. LG says an HE error may occur when the water supplied to the dishwasher is not being heated
• A failed heater element: The code returns on every cycle, which points to a failed heater element. LG says this error requires inspection from a service technician
• Incoming water that is too cold when the cycle starts: HE appears early in the cycle when hot water from the house takes a long time to arrive. Run the kitchen tap until it is hot, then restart the dishwasher and see whether HE returns

After a cycle, carefully check whether the water in the tub was heated at all.

LG's guide gives one action for HE, an inspection by a service technician, so more cycles only waste water.

Ask for a service visit and mention that the display shows HE, a heater code.

HE.

Heater.

What does HE mean on an LG dishwasher? The heater that warms the water is not working normally.

Can a slow hot water heater cause HE? It can, because the dishwasher expects heated water; if the tap takes a long time to run hot, run it first and then start the cycle.

Do not run repeated cycles with cold water hoping it clears

LG dishwasher code LE

A cleaning motor fault.

Listen for the wash motor during a cycle.

Follow LG's reset for this code.

• A cleaning motor that is not running normally: You hear no wash motor and the cycle stops with LE. LG says an LE error may occur due to an issue with the cleaning motor
• A utensil wedged against the spray arm: The dishwasher hums or stops part-way through and something is caught in the racks. Open it once cool, look for a utensil against the spray arm and turn the arm by hand to feel for resistance
• A wash motor that is jammed or worn: The dishwasher hums but there is no sound of spraying water and the rack is clear. Do not force anything; report that the motor hums without spraying to a technician

Start a cycle and note whether the wash motor runs, hums or stays silent before LE appears.

LG's guide gives one action for LE, an inspection by a service technician, so do not keep restarting the cycle.

Ask for a service visit and mention that the display shows LE, the cleaning motor code.

With the power off and the tub cool, turn the lower spray arm by hand; it should spin freely, and resistance or a scraping sound points to something caught beneath it.

LE.

Cleaning motor.

What does LE mean on an LG dishwasher? The cleaning motor is not functioning normally.

Is it the same as nE? No; nE concerns the impeller of the vario pump.

Should I keep restarting it? No; that adds nothing.

LG dishwasher code tE

A temperature sensor fault.

Record the code and the cycle stage it appeared at.

Follow LG's reset for this code before assuming the sensor has failed.

• A contact problem at the temperature sensor: tE appears and the cycle stops, which points to a contact problem at the temperature sensor. LG says a tE error can appear from contact problems or sensor failure
• A failed temperature sensor: The code returns every cycle, which points to a failed temperature sensor. LG says this error requires inspection from a service technician
• A loose wiring connection to the temperature sensor: tE returns on every cycle whatever the load size or the temperature of the incoming water. Only a technician should check the connector; give them the fact that the code repeats on every cycle

Note the cycle and the stage where tE appeared, since LG's guide treats it as a sensor contact or failure problem.

LG's only step for tE is inspection by a service technician, so repeated resets add nothing.

Ask for a service visit and mention that the display shows tE, a temperature sensor code.

tE.

Temperature sensor.

What does tE mean on an LG dishwasher? A problem related to the temperature sensor, such as contact trouble or sensor failure.

Is it the same as HE? No; HE means the water is not being heated.

Will resetting help? LG gives no reset for this code.

Should I run more cycles to see if tE clears? One more cycle to see whether it repeats is fine, but repeated attempts add nothing because LG's only step for this code is a technician inspection.