LG Dishwasher Error Code AE - Quick Fix Guide [2026]

Quick Fix Summary

AE on LG dishwashers means a leak has been detected, usually water sitting in the base pan under the tub. The fastest fix 80% of the time is to turn off power and water, remove the toe-kick, dry the base pan and leak sensor, then correct the source (oversudsing, door gasket debris, leveling) before restarting. If AE returns, find and repair the actual leak or replace the faulty component.

What Causes This Problem

1) Water in the base pan triggers the leak sensor. LG dishwashers have an anti-flood system: when water collects in the bottom tray, a float or electronic sensor signals the control and the unit throws AE. Splashes from inside the tub, drips from hoses or pumps, or an actual leak all end up in the base pan. AE remains latched until the sensor area dries and the underlying issue is fixed.

2) Oversudsing from the wrong detergent or too much detergent. Using hand dish soap, all-purpose cleaners, or excessive powdered/liquid detergent can produce foam that expands, lifts water over baffles, and pushes it into the base pan. Foam can also interfere with proper draining and slosh out the door seal, falsely tripping the leak sensor. AE appears because the system thinks the unit is leaking, when it is really overflowing internally due to suds.

3) Overfill or backflow. A sticking or partially failed water inlet valve can allow the tub to overfill, and water may spill past internal seals into the leak tray. Similarly, if the drain hose is clogged, kinked, or connected incorrectly (air gap blocked or garbage disposal knockout plug not removed), wastewater can back up into the tub and overflow into the base pan, triggering AE.

4) Door seal and spray issues. A dirty, damaged, or misseated door gasket lets spray escape. Cracked lower spray arms, misaligned racks, or blocked spray patterns can shoot water directly at the door, causing drips down into the base. Even a small drip over a full cycle can accumulate enough water to trip AE. Debris on the tub lip or gasket commonly causes this.

5) Component leaks and installation issues. Loose hose clamps, worn sump or pump seals, a bad diverter or circulation pump housing, or a cracked drain hose may drip slowly. Poor leveling (tilted forward) makes splashes more likely to reach the leak tray. After moving or installing a dishwasher, residual water in the base or an unlevel cabinet often leads to an AE code on the first run.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

1. Safety first: power and water off. Press and hold Start for 3 seconds to cancel and drain if possible. Then press Power to turn the dishwasher off, switch off the breaker, and close the water supply valve. Never work behind the toe-kick with live power or a live water line.
2. Confirm the AE condition and clear any lock. If the controls are locked, look for a Control Lock or Child Lock indicator and hold the lock button for about 3 seconds to unlock (varies by model). AE is a leak detect alert; if you also see IE (fill), OE (drain), or FE (overfill) codes, note them as they help pinpoint the cause.
3. Remove the toe-kick and check for water in the base pan. Take off the lower front panel (toe-kick) with a screwdriver. Use a flashlight to inspect the base tray. If you see water, that confirms the leak sensor was tripped. Sop up the water with towels or a sponge, and place a small fan to dry the tray and sensor area for several hours until completely dry.
4. Level the dishwasher. Put a bubble level on the tub rim. Adjust the leveling feet so the unit is level left-to-right and slightly tilted back (a hair) front-to-back. An unlevel dishwasher makes splashing more likely to enter the base pan, especially at the front edge and door.
5. Check for oversudsing and wrong detergent use. Did anyone use hand dish soap or too much detergent recently? Pull out the lower rack, remove foam with towels, and run a short Rinse cycle after the base pan is dry. Adding 1 cup of white vinegar to the tub can help break suds. Only use dishwasher-rated detergents and follow the dosage recommended by the detergent maker and LG.
6. Inspect and clean the door gasket and tub lip. Open the door and wipe the entire gasket with a damp cloth. Clean the tub lip and the bottom edge where the door meets the tub. Look for tears, flattened sections, or hardened spots. If the gasket is cracked or overly flattened, replace it. A common LG door gasket part is 3920DD3005A (verify your exact model).
7. Clean filters and check spray arms. Remove the lower filter by twisting counterclockwise, then lift out the fine filter. Rinse under warm water and scrub with a soft brush. Check spray arms for cracks and clogged holes; clean with a toothpick and water. Mis-sprays can direct water at the door or seams, sending drips into the base.
8. Inspect drain path: hose, air gap, and disposal. Make sure the drain hose has a high loop and is not kinked. If you have an air gap by the sink, remove the cap and clean out sludge. If the dishwasher is connected to a new garbage disposal, confirm the knockout plug in the disposal dishwasher port has been fully removed. Backflow and poor draining can cause internal overflow and AE.
9. Run a controlled test cycle while observing. Restore power and water. Put a towel beneath the door and leave the toe-kick off if the area is safe. Run a short cycle (Rinse or Quick). Watch for drips under the sump, at hose joints, or from the door edges. If AE reappears, immediately power off and recheck the base pan for fresh water to locate the leak source.
10. Check the water inlet valve for overfilling. Start a fill and watch the tub water level. Normal level is below the door threshold and often just above the filter cover. If water continues entering when the machine pauses or when powered off, the inlet valve may be sticking. The OEM LG water inlet valve commonly used on many models is part 5221DD1001E (verify for your model). Replace if it allows flow when closed.
11. Inspect hoses, pump seals, and sump for drips. With the unit filling and circulating, use a bright light to look at the circulation pump, diverter motor area, and hose connections. Any steady drip will accumulate in the base pan and cause AE. Tighten clamps and replace worn gaskets. If you find a cracked hose, replace it with the OEM part for your model.
12. Check the overflow float or leak sensor assembly. Most LG units have a float or sensor mounted in the base tray. Ensure the float moves freely and the sensor wiring harness is intact and dry. If the float is stuck in the up position or the sensor is waterlogged, AE will persist even after drying. Replace the faulty assembly if it does not reset once dry.
13. Evaluate door latch and alignment. Close the door and check for a solid latch click. If the latch is loose or misaligned, water can escape at the top edge. Test with a paper slip around the gasket; it should have uniform resistance. Adjust the latch bracket or replace the latch if the door does not close squarely.
14. Replace the door gasket if damaged. If inspection revealed wear or damage, install a new OEM gasket such as LG 3920DD3005A. Warm the new gasket slightly to relax it, seat it evenly around the tub channel, and let it sit with the door closed for several hours before running a cycle.
15. Perform a full power reset and verification run. After repairs, power the unit off at the breaker for 5 minutes to clear latched errors. Turn water back on, restore power, and run a complete Normal cycle while observing the base area and door. If AE does not return and the base stays dry, the issue is resolved. If AE returns repeatedly, move to professional diagnosis for component leaks (pump, sump, diverter).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does AE mean on an LG dishwasher?

AE indicates the dishwasher detected a leak or overflow into the base pan. A float or electronic leak sensor was triggered, so the control stops the cycle and shows AE. The most common causes are oversudsing, door gasket drips, hose or pump leaks, and improper leveling that allows water to reach the leak tray.

How do I reset the AE code on my LG dishwasher?

First, fix and dry the source of the leak. Power the dishwasher off, turn off water, remove the toe-kick, and dry the base pan and sensor area completely. Once the tray is dry and the cause is corrected, restore power and water. If the code persists, cycle the breaker off for 5 minutes to reset. AE will come back if water re-enters the base.

Can the AE error be caused by using the wrong soap?

Yes. Hand dish soap or too much detergent can create excessive foam, which sloshes into the leak tray and triggers AE. Use only dishwasher detergent and follow dosage guidelines. If oversudsing occurs, remove suds, run a short rinse with 1 cup of white vinegar, and ensure the base pan is dry before restarting.

AE after moving or installing the dishwasher - is that normal?

It can happen. Residual water may shift into the base during transport, and improper leveling can make splashes more likely to reach the leak sensor. Dry the base pan, level the unit carefully, and run a short test cycle. If AE returns, look for a genuine leak or installation issues like a blocked air gap or a disposal knockout plug not removed.

How do I dry water from the LG dishwasher base pan?

Turn off power and water. Remove the toe-kick, soak up water with towels or a sponge, and aim a small fan at the base pan for several hours until fully dry. Do not run the dishwasher until the leak tray and sensor are dry. AE will clear only when the sensor is no longer detecting moisture and the leak is fixed.

When to Call a Professional

Call a certified appliance technician if: AE returns immediately after drying the base, you see a steady drip from the pump, diverter, or hose connections, water enters the tub even when the unit is off (stuck inlet valve), or there is evidence of corrosion or cracked plastic components. Also call for electrical smells, tripped breakers, or if the unit will not drain or fill while showing multiple codes (OE, IE, FE along with AE).

Typical repair cost ranges: Diagnostic fee: $90-150. Door gasket replacement: $20-60 for the part, $100-150 labor. Water inlet valve: $35-90 for the part, $120-180 labor. Drain hose or clamp service: $25-60 parts, $100-150 labor. Circulation pump, diverter, or sump seal repairs: $150-300 parts, $150-250 labor depending on model.

If your dishwasher is under warranty, contact LG support with your model and serial number. For out-of-warranty units, an experienced tech can pressure-test hoses, inspect seals, and run model-specific diagnostics to pinpoint the leak quickly.

Replacement Parts

• LG dishwasher door gasket (3920DD3005A) - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LG+dishwasher+door+gasket+3920DD3005A&tag=https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LG+dishwasher+error+code+AE&tag=manuallogic-20
• LG water inlet valve (5221DD1001E) - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LG+dishwasher+water+inlet+valve+5221DD1001E&tag=https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LG+dishwasher+error+code+AE&tag=manuallogic-20
• LG dishwasher drain hose (OEM) - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LG+dishwasher+drain+hose+OEM&tag=https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LG+dishwasher+error+code+AE&tag=manuallogic-20
• LG circulation pump assembly (OEM) - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LG+dishwasher+circulation+pump+assembly&tag=https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LG+dishwasher+error+code+AE&tag=manuallogic-20
• LG diverter motor (OEM) - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LG+dishwasher+diverter+motor&tag=https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LG+dishwasher+error+code+AE&tag=manuallogic-20
• LG sump and seal kit (OEM) - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LG+dishwasher+sump+seal+kit&tag=https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LG+dishwasher+error+code+AE&tag=manuallogic-20
• LG leak sensor / float assembly (OEM) - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LG+dishwasher+leak+sensor+float+assembly&tag=https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LG+dishwasher+error+code+AE&tag=manuallogic-20
• LG spray arm (lower/upper, OEM) - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LG+dishwasher+spray+arm&tag=https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LG+dishwasher+error+code+AE&tag=manuallogic-20

Important: Always confirm parts compatibility by model number on the product tag (usually on the door edge). LG part numbers can vary across series, and using the exact OEM part ensures proper fit and leak-free operation.